This edition of LITM Pop Picks brings you a bittersweet funk-pop ode to memory, a brisk and brooding question of a song, grief softened by Indian classical touches, a wry look back at a teenage crush, and an anthem for anyone who has ever felt left on the sidelines. The list features artists Sacha Mullin, Sean Harte Rigney, Rohini Rege, ANACY, and teenweek.
Sacha Mullin - Joy
Sacha Mullin opens Social Touch with “Joy,” and I quickly realized the song has more going on than its cheerful title suggests. A funky bass line and warm keys give it an easy bounce, and I found myself following his voice as it wandered into some dramatic places. He can sound close and conversational one moment, then let a line soar the next. What I love most is how he holds onto someone through memory rather than pretending loss is easy. Even the brighter musical touches felt a little bittersweet to me. For a song called “Joy,” it left me with an unexpected ache, and that’s exactly why it has stuck with me.
Sean Harte Rigney - Do You Feel It
Sean Harte Rigney packs a lot of urgency into the two minutes and forty-four seconds of “Do You Feel It.” The brisk tempo gives the track momentum, but I was surprised by how dark the mood gets for something moving this quickly. The title is a simple question, and I love how many things it could mean. Is he asking someone to share a feeling, or is he trying to make sense of his own? I kept turning that uncertainty over in my head long after the song ended. It’s a compact release, and I can’t help wondering what Rigney could do with this idea in a longer track. For now, his question lingers with me.
Rohini Rege - Rock Bottom
When I saw the title “Rock Bottom,” I half expected Rohini Rege to spend three minutes crying into a microphone. Instead, she gives grief a gentler, more thoughtful voice. I loved the Indian classical touches, especially the little turns in her singing, and I think they sit beautifully alongside the soft indie-folk instrumentation. My one complaint? I kept waiting for the song to grow into a Carnatic-inspired chorus. She lays the groundwork for one, then keeps things rather restrained. Still, I really enjoyed it. Her vocals carry the emotion, and I hope she leans into those classical influences even more next time.
ANACY - Brother’s Friend
ANACY’s “Brother’s Friend” grabbed my attention with its bass line right away. It’s relaxed, almost lazy, and her soft vocals glide over it as she tells a story I think anyone who once waited around for someone to notice them will recognize. I could relate to the way she looks back on a teenage crush with more perspective now, and I like that she doesn’t treat young love as some grand tragedy. The drums keep it moving, and her touch of humor made me smile. It’s personal and catchy, and I found it surprisingly easy to grin along, even when her memories aren’t entirely happy.
teenweek - Open Tryouts
teenweek released “Open Tryouts” as a single on October 30, and the title immediately reminded me of the awkward business of putting yourself out there. Trying to get picked, trying to belong, wondering whether anybody is paying attention: to me, it’s a small phrase with a lot of teenage baggage. teenweek has previously released “The Kids Are Cruel” and “You Or The City,” so this title fits right into the same youthful territory. What interests me most is the everyday language. There’s nothing grand about open tryouts, and I think that’s exactly why the idea feels so recognizable. I’d love to know more about the story behind this one.
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