This edition of LITM Pop Picks brings you sultry pop themes and sentimental soft rock, and features Susan Mohini Kane, Lark, Marvin, Frank Joshua, and Mike Lourens.
1. Susan Mohini Kane – Ready For the Wonderful
Susan Mohini Kane takes you through a whirlwind of textures and emotions, going from dark and grim to hypnotic and menacing. Self-described as a cinematic indie pop artist with theatrical storytelling, Kane uses a variety of audio-tactile tones to create a dense atmospheric padding—a sense of ascending tension before slowly dissipating. The low-lying, looming eeriness of the instrumentation evokes a cinematic vibe while the vocals succinctly glide over. The words “I’m ready” are sung in various languages, including Ukrainian, Arabic, Spanish, and French, bringing a unique twist to the track.
2. Lark – Residue
Soothing with a touch of nostalgia is what you get with indie pop artist Lark’s single ‘Residue’. The San Diego–based singer-songwriter uses soft and gentle tones to sweep you off your feet while evoking familiar scenes of heartbreak. The flowy composition leaves room for dynamic layering of silky instrumentation, while atop it, the vocals bring two unique textures across different sections of the song, going from velvety and viscous to powerful in the very next verse. This is one of those tracks that feels like comfort food you would indulge in late at night or on a rainy day.
3. Marvin – Double Wet Willie
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something cheeky with a load of double entendres and risqué material, ‘Double Wet Willie’ is a track you should try out. Leaning heavily into AI tools for vocals and production, the song is fun-forward, well-composed, and quite the foot-tapper. It sits firmly in bluegrass and country territory, using an arpeggiating banjo, a deep wallowing bass, a sleek electric violin in places, and staunch vocals. The humor of the track lies in the pauses and sudden instrumental halts, bringing the focus straight to the lyrics and leaving the rest up to the imagination. Check it out here-
4. Frank Joshua - Almost
London-based singer-songwriter Frank Joshua weaves elements of pop, EDM, and funk into his latest track ‘Almost’. The song carries you through a landscape rife with popping notes and sleek synth textures. At times, the notes seem to separate and fragment from each other, evoking a hypnotic state while keeping you grounded with steady drumbeats. Joshua’s vocals take you by surprise—just as you think his voice has reached its lowest register, he nails notes even lower. This is one of those tracks that sets the scene for a great night out, equally at home in clubs, cafes, or around campfire nights. Check it out here-
5. Mike Lourens - Delicacy
Mike Lourens’ latest song ‘Delicacy’ is an absolute treat for the ears, featuring chill instrumental riffs, a catchy hook, and sultry one-liners. The instrumentation leans indie-pop and feels distinctly summery, evoking the vibe of cracking open a cold drink on the beach just before a dip in the ocean. The vocal delivery is reminiscent of Bruno Mars in places, and the minimal setup—crystal-clear guitar, deep groovy bass notes, and simple instrumental flourishes—makes both the vocals and the arrangement stand out. Despite its short runtime of only two and a half minutes, it’s quite the entertainer! Catch it here-
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