This LITM Pop Picks brings you soothing tunes along with punchy, anthemic ones, featuring Jakey Harrison, The Phirejets, GATAM, Guyver7x3, Andrei British & Phil Maher.
1. Jakey Harrison – Secondhand
Jakey Harrison’s track is one of those songs where the music takes you to a cozy, safe place of good memories, comfort food, and thick blankets. This particular recording is done live, letting you see each musician work seamlessly as one unit, with every camera pan and close-up capturing each riff and embellishment as it comes together beautifully. The arrangement creates a smooth flow of instrumentation that’s intimate and wholesome, using scrunchy guitars, a sparkling piano, and a breezy set of drums that wrap around buttery soft vocals as each bar raises the next. The mix keeps it cozy and uncomplicated. Check out the track here-
2. The Phirejets – Rise Up
Inspired by '70s rock projects, The Phirejets have just dropped their latest track ‘Rise Up’, a 6:47-long anthem of revolution. The track literally ‘rises up’ in scale during the chorus with punchy, high-energy ascensions, building a strong case with each line and riff. The singer directly addresses the crowd with lyrics incorporating American history alongside messages of hope and calls to action. Using a blend of instrumentation and vocal techniques—guitars on crunchy overdrive mode, hard-hitting beats from the drums, and a sense of urgency and conviction from the vocalist—it all gives rise to a powerful performance and message. Listen here-
3. GATAM – Comme au cinéma
GATAM’s latest drop ‘Comme au cinéma’ veers you into hypnotic territory with its sultry, mesmeric soundscapes, featuring a wavy atmospheric curtain of synths, hazy vocals, and woozy beats. The music easily takes you out onto the club dance floor or into a solo 2 AM kitchen party. True to its name, the song feels deeply cinematic, built on a dark palette and star-studded synth loops. Pops of instrumentation emerge across the arrangement, taking you through a slow hypnosis as varied musical patterns pull you closer to the bassline, where you settle and simply observe the layers above. Listen here-
4. Guyver7x3 – Harder Days
Guyver’s ‘Harder Days’ is a foot-tappingly infectious song crafted from a shuffly set of beats. The music uses fluctuating trap beats that create a skittery, unpredictable base, while the melody itself anchors you on solid ground. This makes room for several diving-off points within the arrangement that lead to satisfying landings. The vocals shift between a cheeky staccato and silky-smooth glides, while the production plays around with dynamic ideas, keeping you engaged throughout. If you’re a fan of hip-hop and trap, you should definitely check out this song.
5. Andrei British & Phil Maher – Distant Moon Cantica
Another unique track on this list is Andrei British and Phil Maher’s latest, ‘Distant Moon Cantica’, which mixes breezy modern beats with bold jazz brushstrokes, painting a sepia-toned, rustic piece. The instrumentation is cheeky and rather quiet in some places, spotlighting the lead vocals. The arrangement creates a smooth and steady flow between each fragmented instrumental layer, giving the song breathability and life while leaving room for soft pauses and cheeky exchanges. The undercurrent of music resurfaces an instrument every now and again, with the saxophone and guitar bringing in a vintage flavor that sizzles to the top. Overall, the song is a certified head-bop with gorgeous instrumentation and performances. Check it out here-
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