Bringing to retro synthpop inspired rock tracks, contemporary alternative-rock tracks to goth inspired haunting rock tracks, this edition of LITM Rock Picks will wow you with its range. The list features artists Gareth Freiheit, Tralalas, The Lunar Keys, and more.
Gareth Freiheit - Wish You Well
Happy guitar tunes and a drum pattern to complement that mood opening the track, ‘Wish You Well’ by Gareth Freiheit is the kind of song that will instantly lift your mood until you listen to the trcaks. The song has a retro polish going for it alongside the contemporary sound, with the use of long, swirling synths. These synths add a nice touch to the track. Lyrically, the song captures the idea of knowing that someone you like cannot be in your life, accepting it, then wishing them the best in life as they go on their own way. If this is something you relate to, then this is your song.
Tralalas - Burns
Pulling you into a soundscape that you will not see coming, ‘Burns’ by Tralalas will capture your senses with its dark, moody, almost haunting sound. The vocals that work in layers of a raspy, husky vocal and a breathy, soft vocal work brilliantly in grounding the haunting feel of the song. What truly stands out is the guitar work in the chorus, and it maintains the eerie, uncertain, moody vibe to the song. Also, the use of organ gives the song a very gothic, haunted-castles-in-the-mountains-like vibe. The song could perfectly fit in the soundtrack of an eerie film, and if you’re one on the lookout for songs like that, then look no further.
The Lunar Keys - Pure As Your Protocol
A fast paced riff starting off the track, ‘Pure As Your Protocol’ by The Lunar Keys captures the energy of 2020s alt-rock energy quite perfectly. The instrumentation is raw, intense, powerful blend of active, dynamic guitars, and drumming patterns that shift to accommodate the guitar shifts, and of course the very emotionally heavy vocals. The song, through its lyricism, captures a struggle, a tension that we all recognise in our lives in some capacity, and it is the tug of war between control and the chaos and the letting go that we feel. The “pure” in the title seems ironic, because it alludes to these rules, these “protocols” that contain and restrict us.
CS Hellmann - In My Head
Dreamy synthpop beats introducing the track to us, ‘In My Head’ by CS Hellmann is a branching of Hellman into a different sound, and oh what a beautiful branching it is. The song falls within a blend of related genres, like dream-pop, lo-fi, alt-pop, besides synthpop of course. The way the instrumentation rises and then falls in intensity is such a delight, because it happens so naturally and yet it catches you by surprise. The song is upbeat but also kind of calming at the same time. Lyrically, the song is quite eye opening as it captures the idea of how the hustle culture of now erodes us bit by bit, as we lose our sense of wonder for the mundane yet beautiful around us.
Hollows - Blood
An emotive layer of piano notes and acoustic guitar opening the track, ‘Blood’ by Hollows will enwrap your senses with its beautifully devastating soundscapes. The guitars in the song are truly multi-dimensional and so very powerful and they amazingly complement the emotionally rich vocals. The swellings and the ebbings in the song are so mindfully done and capture the emotional density in the song brilliantly. Genre wise the song falls within the emo rock genre, and can be compared to bands like Green Day. You absolutely have to listen to this song, because before you know it you’ll find yourself adding it to your playlist.
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