This edition of LITM Rock Picks features folk-inspired melodies and alt-inspired grunge, featuring - Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard, Theo Black, Fanny Alexandra, Lowly Rose, Mister Chorister.
1. Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard – The Shadow Remains
Indie alternative band Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard create stunning , cinematic landscapes with their latest track ‘The Shadow Remains’. With a slow unfolding of the narrative within the lyrics, we also get an invigorating accompaniment from the music itself, comprising of a determined and beats that don’t look back, along with catchy guitar notes that pull you right alongside the flow, joining the lead singer. The arrangement has instruments sprinkle in different techniques, that build in tension, while the mix interplays between crispier and hazier textures. The overall result feels like an escape into the wilderness, traversing through tall grasslands and lush forests.
2. Theo Black – Follow The Money
The lines “They’ve got you dollar for dollar, beat you pound for pound” sums up the overarching theme of the track, and Theo Black’s poetic lyrics speak for itself. The song delves into a relatively untapped topic and doesn’t bank on technical jargon to make a statement, rather, cleverly uses repetition to not just create meaning, but also a smooth sense of rhythm and flow. The music itself uses dark underbeds of grungy bass notes, steady beats and ambient guitar textures in the foreground, while the vocals use a talk-singing delivery, which works with the cynical tone of the song. The track overall, sits in the indie/ alternative setting with a mix of raw, earthy textures and vintage polish. Check it out here-
‘Funeral’ by Fanny Alexandra is a blend of several genres, with pop, rock, alternative and even a few elements of synth pop with its use of instrumentation. The song, composed with generative AI, starts with a soft piano, slow vocal drifts, until it lands on punchy beats and an intense chorus. The vocals go from soft, light and airy all the way to powerful and anthemic levels with a jolt in the energy levels, such as in the line “Like you didn’t turn her silence into something I survived.” The buildup is compact, with an emotionally driven release while ambient textures take over the surrounding arrangement.
4. Lowly Rose – From Now On
This track from Lowly Rose is a charming alt pop track, with bursts of colour from every instrument accompanying the most carefree, down-to-earth vocalist. The track is fast-paced but not adrenaline-fuelled, rather it’s more towards the invigorating territory, with spangled piano notes, sizzling rhythms and a flurry of whimsical background instrumentation. The short instrumental interludes not only give the track breathing space, but also contributes to a well-balanced narrative and structure, along with a brief bit of danceability, ending with ends aptly with “From now on I’m gonna be me”
5. Mister Chorister – Spark
Another fun indie pop rock track on the playlist is Mister Chorister’s track ‘Spark’. The track features warbly basses, upbeat drums and hypnotic guitar riffs that have a classic feel. The arrangement feels light and nostalgic with its baseline melodies, while the vocals bring in a rawness and warmth, channelling the rest of the song’s peppy energy that pulls the listener more into the flow. While it has experimentation with the instruments, it never feel overstimulating instead, it feels balanced, distinctly crisp and energetic, and fun to sing along to!
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