This edition of LITM Pop Picks brings you everything from soft, hazy melancholia to metallic dystopia, featuring artists Arrtext, Nicola Høie, Ana Amado, Wild Caviar, Nando Pettinato, and Jenica.
1. Arrtext- Ich Bin
Arttext’s latest, ‘Ich Bin,’ is a total foot-tapper with a dark, satisfying crunch to it. It’s a concoction of shuffling beats and polished rawness, derived from a soundscape of swirling synths and rhythms. The track also expertly plays with tension, pulling the listener to the edge of their seat… and then the beat drops! The vocal track has an aura of its own; the singer’s voice texture has an air of mystery loaded with charisma as he zips and bounces easily across the rhythmic pops of the instrumentation. This RnB track is one of those songs that will find itself on loop, whether it’s at a club, a party, or even a drive home from work.
2. Nicola Høie- Painkiller
A song that will draw you into its short ‘n’ sweet, but soothing sonic atmosphere is ‘Painkiller’ by Nicola Høie. The arrangement uses a thick atmosphere to surround the vocal and instrumental tracks, giving the vocals a hazy bed of sonic fog to lie on. The cloudy layers work well with the velvety textures of the vocalist, who reigns it in for the many frills and embellishments, some of them involving impossibly high notes. The song itself is a soulful mix of melodic passages with soft, confessional lyrics and cosy synth-pop beats that are sure to pass the vibe check.
3. Ana Amado - Dahlia
Another feverish song on the list that’ll have you drawn towards its scorching soundscape is Ana Amado’s Dahlia. It’s an endearing electronic and acoustic fusion that experiments with tone, musicality, and tension, almost swallowing the listener into an intense hypnotic state. The vocals and piano segments aren’t over-processed and cut through the dim fog of instrumentation, making the arrangement a successful blend of crispy and fluffy. Composition-wise, the track has as many idiosyncrasies and techniques that would draw in not just the casual listener but also a seasoned musician. Overall, it’s a song that has the vibe of staring at the night sky on a warm summer night.
4. Wild Caviar, Nando Pettinato - Fashion Fever
On a completely different vibe, ‘Fashion Fever’ is a spunky, dopamine-fuelled track from start to finish. It somehow reminds you of Bruno Mars and the Backstreet Boys, with its danceable beats and boy-band-like vocals. With a knack for a catchy rhythm, the song encapsulates Gen-Z energy with a millennial approach. The instrumentation comprises a fun amalgamation of synths, electronic drum beats, and vocal layers that will boost the energy levels. Overall, it’s a fun and engaging track, and if this sounds like your cup of tea, you should definitely give it a listen!
5. Jenica- Grey
Another experimental track, and the perfect way to end the list, is Jenica’s ‘Grey’. The artist plays around a lot with tone and even colour—the colour ‘grey’ here being the omnipotent presence with its metallic soundscape. Other than being an industrial pop and rap-infused arrangement, it’s also quite the foot-tapper, with its fast-paced beats and gritty motifs. The lead vocals have a youthful quality that one wouldn’t usually associate with the dystopian genre, but it works flawlessly. The switch from rap to warping melodies is seamless, and the metallic twangs give the track an almost cyberpunk feel.
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