This LITM Pop Picks brings you a variety of vocal arrangements from spicy to subdued, featuring Cherie D’Avino, Brian Mullins, SIESKI, Lana Crow and Ratfink!
1. Cherie D’Avino- Christmas Lights
Cherie D’Avino paints a nostalgic picture of the feeling of coming home for Christmas with her single ‘Christmas Lights’. The song is a reminder of hope, cherishment, and the spirit of giving, while the lyrics are echoed by the soulful instrumentation- a gentle piano backing the vocals, followed by equally breezy strings and guitars, slowly heightening the intensity of the track- giving it an orchestral-pop flavor. This is followed by a high-octane reprise, with the vocals and instruments giving it their all. The track is, as a whole, an effervescent blend of pop and rock styles, and is a perfect choice to welcome the upcoming holiday season.
2. Brian Mullins- Love Came Down
Another great choice for the Christmas playlist is Brian Mullins’s ‘Love Came Down’. Delving deep into the country rock genre, this emotive worship music piece ascends the listener to its climactic symphonies, as the lyrics celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ while also being a message of love and hope. The instrumentation glides between minimalistic and grandiose, creating that sense of ascension, while the foreground, the vocals evoke a sense of positivity and sincerity. The strings singing soulfully along with the vocals is definitely one of the standout elements, bringing in a tad bit of a classic Americana feel. If this sounds is your cup of tea, this is the song for you!
3. SIESKI - Close
‘Close’ is the song equivalent of that one room we go to for the perfect cosy escapism and comfort. It’s minimal instrumentation alongside the vocals provides the perfect balance of happy-sad, and with its politely explorative piano, tinkling alongside the soft, cushiony vocals, both feel like two entities, floating together like 2 feathers in the breeze. The addition of the cello only uplifts the soundscape and emotional beats more, embracing the cool-toned vocals and piano into a warm hug. All three sections flow smoothly together in synergy, and we get a jazzy and youthful momentum with the overall arrangement, making for a gorgeous and unique listening experience.
4. Lana Crow- Orwellian Times
Lana Crow gives us the perfect amount of bold and spunky with her new single ‘Orwellian Times’. Its deceptively nonchalant vibe is a perfect disguise for its outspoken message about the current state of society, providing for a reality check and by cold, hard look in the mirror. The composition itself is a catchy and dynamic layering of instrumentation, while the vocals bring two unique textures to different sections of the song. Crow approaches the beginning with a more subdued and coy delivery that grows in intensity, as she fully acts out the song’s lyrics, after which she deftly shifts into a more power-ballad style of delivery. The slightly accented words add to the song’s charm and authenticity. The vibrant guitar solo complements the singer’s energy, playing off the hooks and leading the listener to a resounding and wholesome finish.
5. Ratfink! – Won’t Wait Forever
Nostalgia with a touch of whimsy is what you get when you listen to Ratfink!’s latest track, ‘Won’t Wait Forever’. Its mellow, yet energetic instrumentation and cheeky lyricism won’t be out of place in a coming-of-age film closing scene, as it provides for a cinematic and ambient listening experience. The arpeggiating melodies are layered atop the drums and synergise together as a whole unit, looped throughout the track, until they leave unexpected gaps, bringing in a playful element which is paired well with the colourful foreground vocals. The song as a whole has a friendly, good-natured vibe to it, leaving the listener wanting more.
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