This edition of LITM Rock Picks brings to you the dark side of the rock world that is filled with haunting soundscapes and at the same time brings to you the bright and vibrant side of the world, showing you what all rock as a genre can do. The list features artists Deathsleep, The Bonzai Pipeline, Patrick T Jenkinson, and more.
Deathsleep - Jealousy
Starting off with a gut wrenching, intense guitar riff, ‘Jealousy’ by Deathsleep holds up a mirror to us with regards to our vulnerabilities and darkness that we hold within. The emotional gravity that this song holds makes its presence acutely felt, and the presence is grounded by every choice that has gone into the production of the song. Despite it being an intense instrumentation, none of the layers overwhelm each other, but instead gel together beautifully as they heighten the emotionality and depth of the song. Intense with a soundscape so immersive as to consume your senses entirely, this one surely qualifies as a must listen.
The Bonzai Pipeline - Haven
With a hard rock riff introducing the track in its dark moods, ‘Haven’ by The Bonzai Pipeline has the right amount of everything that is required to create a solid dark rock track. The instrumentation is characterised by a sense of deep urgency, tension within its notes, a restlessness that arises from a state of prolonged repression. The textures in the song are sharp and jagged, and they make no attempt at subtleness with regards to all that the song aims to be. The song in all that it is does take you back to the late 90s to early 2000s grunge rock, hard rock scenes.
Patrick T Jenkinson - Apocalypse
Characterised by fast paced beats and synths, ‘Apocalyspe’ by Patrick T Jenkinson takes the word ‘apocalypse’ in a metaphorical way to talk about the conditions of the human race at present, which to be quite honest does feel like the beginning of the end. The vocals in the song shift from slow to fast paced and this compliments the themes of confusion and uncertainty that is so very prevalent around us now.The themes of the songs such that you can use the song to view your own inner life or use it to view the larger world as a whole.
Spiral Orbit - Everybody Wants To Be A Star
Sounding sparkly, vibrant, and bright from the very first note, ‘Everybody Wants To Be A Star’ by Spiral Orbit is everything you’d expect a song with its title to sound like. The track with its hopeful sounding instrumentation that is characterised by synths, steady drums, and layered guitars, feels like it could be part of a musical. The key changes at certain places elevate the song’s emotionality and optimistic nature. There is something nostalgic and charming about the song which fills your heart with warmth. Magnetic and spellbinding, this song should be one that you give a listen to on a gloomy day to liven your spirits.
Violet Love - Serpent
A unique layering of musical elements characterising the track, ‘Serpent’ by Violet Love will enamour you with its haunting soundscapes. Genre wise the song mixes emo electronic elements, alternative rock along with some glitch rock elements. The blending of Latin American inspired riffs and electronic riffs in the song to create a moody, reflective, haunting atmosphere is quite different than what you usually see. A tension underlies the song, with its moving through intense moments to quiet moments. Lyrically, the song explores themes of emotional trauma, and does so boldly and vulnerably, without trying to blanket up the rawness of the topic.
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