This edition of LITM Pop Picks brings to you 80s pop-rock, tropical electro-pop, dangerous and glamorous pop, and more. The list features artists Ricky Leroy, Naoko Hiranuma, ALLEY the band and more.
Ricky Leroy - Feiern Vereint
With beats and grooves that will get just about any crowd going, ‘Feiern Vereint’ by Ricky Leroy is proof that epic vibes transcend language barriers. The production has an anthemic quality, and you could totally imagine the track playing in the football stadiums as the stands sing and dance their hearts out to its tunes. Ricky’s vocals capture the brightness of the track perfectly, and transport you to tropical summers with endless music and drinks to enjoy. Bright, joyful, and full of everything that makes for a great party track, this song should absolutely be on your curated party playlists.
Naoko Hiranuma - Sea of Light
With a gentle, emotive layer of guitar and piano notes opening the track, ‘Sea of Light’ by Naoko Hiranuma is the kind of song that arrives slowly and softly but holds immense power and emotion in that gentleness. The instrumentation is simple, and in its simplicity allows for the spotlight to be on the beautiful imagery that makes up the lyrics. The song feels like watching a film reel of all those moments in your life that have changed and shaped who you are today. Naoko’s vocals hold a beautiful balance of yearning, longing, and the quality of a realisation of something really profound. Her singing makes you imagine yourself within the song, living the words that she sings.
ALLEY the band - Fantasize Romanticize
With a super groovy, funky bass riff and drum pattern starting off the track, ‘Fantasize Romanticize’ by ALLEY the band has the charm of the retro pop era, with a contemporary polish all over it. The song leans towards a pop-rock sound, and will entertain you from the start to the very finish. The song has everything in it that will make it a perfect fit for a romcom or a musical, owing to its beautifully produced theatricality. The vocal harmonisations are super fun, and are enough to make you a complete fan of the track. The guitar solo section that comes in during the latter half of the song elevates the funk and groove of the track. A thoroughly fun track, and you should do yourself a favour by giving it a listen.
Kendra Erika - Catch Me
Thrilling and oh so enigmatic, ‘Catch Me’ by Kendra Erika feels like something straight out of a high intensity thriller. The track is Erika’s take on the Bond movie themes, and she pays a spectacular homage to the same, because this track is fresh, unexpected, and completely intoxicating. Erika’s vocals have allure, seduction, and also a challenge, a thrill, which encapsulates the themes of the Bond films. The tones of the song leans towards jazz and electro-pop, bringing about great boldness and magnetism. Powerful and full of glamour and allure, this song is a complete showstopper and it proves the same within the first few second itself.
Metagirl & the Earth Passengers - Fire It Up
Urgent with a playful, fun energy, ‘Fire It Up’ by Metagirl & the Earth Passengers brings to you the charm of the 80s pop-rock sound in the modern day. The instrumentation is fast paced, but not in a manner that you simply lose track of what is happening. The pace has been cleverly crafted with a perfect mingling of the raw, gritty guitars, the fired up drum patterns, and the bass. The song also has that restless Americana energy that feels so magnetic. In the bridge section the song takes you by surprise by changing its pace and bringing it down, which in turn prepares you for the climactic end of the track.
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