This LITM Pop Picks list brings you a spectrum of genre blends and topical songs for the occasion, from the artists - H.UI, særa, Manka, Alice Austin and KDBEastCoast !
1. H.UI - Bleedthrough
A song that will submerge you in the feels, ‘Bleedthrough’ takes you through an emotional rollercoaster with each unfolding line. With the piano under the instrumental spotlight, carrying the weight of the piece, its soft, graceful tones envelope around the singer, carrying a mix of heartbreak, sadness, and hope. Even in the spaces of lyric absence, you can feel the weight of the emotion sinking in. The song starts off with a nonchalant rather than a grand arrival, slowly bringing in different synth tones, vocal harmonies, and variations in timbre to give the piece further texture, as the vocals gently dance across the song with moments of vulnerability and, by extension, strength. Definitely a track to not miss-
2. Alice Austin – Red Cars
Red Cars is a whimsical mix of rustic instrumentation from the alternative pop and indie scene, with a genre-blending elements of psychedelic rock, folk, and retro pop. The arrangement featuring trippy harmonies and rusty bass notes that guide the listener through the track alongside the vocals while the underbed of guitar riffs give pops and flourishes, setting the mood, flowing from one hypnotic pattern to the next. The vocals fragment in places, ever so slightly, creating subtle textural blends in the mix, shifting from hazy to crisp, sharp textures, resulting in an arrangement that morphs into a gritty swirl of movement.
3. særa – l'aéroport
l'aéroport by særa is a demure entry from the French indie pop scene, evoking visuals of a quaint French town during summer, as you take a stroll past cosy cafes and bookshops. With velvety vocals at the centre of the piece, each background instrumental riff forms a glittery chain around the singer to give the track a lift, and at times, creating intimate spaces where it's just the vocalist and the listener. Underneath, the arrangement is packed with peppy instrumentation of chirpy guitars, funky basslines, a slight atmospheric tinge, while synths frolic in the foreground warping into whimsical shapes. The track is also accompanied by fun, quirky visuals, adding to the song’s charm and whimsy. Overall, it’s a catchy tune to get into, be it for any moment of relaxation or alone time.
4. KDBEastCoast – Closer Tonightr
On the Reggae side of the indie pop scene, KDBEastCoast just dropped ‘Closer Tonight’ a funky blend of reggae, electronica, and pop. The track makes for a gentle rhythm to sway your hips to, while also being drawn to the hypnotic electronic tones, with the satisfying swivel of notes from the autonune that create soft rifts and note-transitions. The Jamaican artist cheekily plays with the beat, pausing every now and then to make the impact hit more, emulsifying a flowy atmospheric mix , keeping the instrumentation airy and almost gelatinous at the same tie, gratifying on a sensory level, as each newly introduced texture fits in, moves with the flow. With the short and sweet with a runtime of just 2.11 minutes, the song definitely ends up being on a loop in your brain.
5. Manka – Either Way
If you’re looking for something cosy from the indie pop scene, Manka’s ‘Either Way’ has got you covered, big fuzzy blanket and all. The song layers soft, cushiony vocals against swirly instrumentation comprising of soft pastel-y tones from synths and shakers, while guitars bring in a crispy texture to the mix. The mix creates a texturally soft and breezy quality, which works well with the the atmospheric choral voicings in the background that give a gentle lift for the foreground youthful, glassy vocals. The song is unabashedly feminine, and it’s one of those songs that just makes for good company.
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