Bringing to you songs capturing childlike wonder to songs capturing the dark side of Hollywood, this edition of LITM Pop Picks is all about range and versatility. The list features artists Larry Karpenko, Minuit Une, Lola Wild, and more.
Larry Karpenko - Ladybug Field
If you were to name a song that takes a small moment and creates something beautiful out of it, then ‘Ladybug Field’ by Larry Karpenko is a song that you should absolutely have on your list. The song is utterly innocent in its worldview, taking us back to days when that innocence dominated our own worldviews. There is gentleness, wonder, peace, wonder all wrapped up into the soulful musicality of the song. The instrumentation isn’t overpowering and is kept simple, which allows the essence of the song to shine through, which is the childlike wonder that we have perhaps all lost along the way with the world demanding more of us.
Minuit Une - Fantôme
Pulsating beats that will remind you of neon lights in slow motion, ‘Fantôme’ by Minuit Une is an immersive listening experience that will have you transported to its own world. The radio static like vocals that intersperse the song throughout at moments, give the song an otherworldly appearance. The instrumentation is lush and dense, with many different layers coming together and giving the song a freeing, groovy, warmth inducing sound. The starts off sparse and then gets dense as it moves. Giving you the feel of driving through high roads in futuristic cities, this song will have you wrapped in its soundscapes.
Lola Wild - Girls in Hollywood
Starting off with mysterious, dark tones, ‘Girls in Hollywood’ by Lola Wild will remind you of old Hollywood and its black and white frames. The song is cinematic in its approach, as it talks about the duality of life in Hollywood, especially as a woman. The instrumentation is layers, which gives it a lush texture. The vocals sound so fragile and yet so beautiful, as they express hope and tiredness, like a feather in a storm. This aspect gives the song a theatrical element. Expressing the unglamorous side of Hollywood life, this song presents a world that is so often endlessly romanticised.
RIMENY - I Can’t Talk to My Friends
Full of retro synth influences, ‘I Can’t Talk to My Friends’ by RIMENY echoes the emotional distance that seems to overpower our friendships in the current times. The soundscape in the song is a mixture of the 80s disco scene and also a little bit of tropical music elements. Towards the end the song takes on a jazzy tone, with the saxophones playing. The vocals in the song sound slightly robotic and distant, which align with the emotional distance the song is trying to convey. The song, despite its themes, is refreshingly upbeat and groovy, and is one you should absolutely give a listen to.
Frankie Orella - Blow Up My Life
Weaving human vulnerabilities within its 3:12 minutes, ‘Blow Up My Life’ by Frankie Orella will make you feel seen in a way very few songs manage to. The song creates a shimmering soundscape, characterised by fast paced guitar riffs and upbeat electronic beats. The music is upbeat, the vocals are relatively swooping and spaced out. At the 2:12 minute song moves into an echoey sound, with soft layered vocals playing. The song grapples with self-doubt, existential crisis – things all of us felt to some degree at some point in our lives, making the song one that will feel like a conversation with your closest friend.
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