This edition of LITM Rock Picks, features moody soft tones and energetic beats with the artists - JULIUS, LOUFO, Michellar, Israell, and Sean MacLeod.
1. JULIUS – London
London/Melbourne-based hard rock band JULIUS brings in the feral energy with their latest track, ‘London’, with wildly energetic double pedals and explosive overdrives. The track isn’t just all about energy; it brings in an experimental treatment, playing with timing and rhythm while adding a narrative flow to the music. The vocals ground the ears by folding each layer into the next, giving space for each instrument to build toward an explosive peak, followed by a killer guitar solo. The song conjures a dark, stormy mood from soft, glowy tones, with the arrangement creating a "calm before the storm" feeling through its shifting instrumentation in the moments leading up to the climax. Listen here-
2. LOUFO – Rainbow in Your Eyes
‘Rainbow in Your Eyes’ is one of those relaxing, crack-open-a-can, chill-on-the-rooftop vibey songs, with breezy, indie-inspired instrumentation and cozy, unintrusive vocals. It has hints of folk in its compositional choices, giving it an earthy effect blended with glassy overtones. The instrumental riffs, improvs, and vocals flow easily toward each other, creating new, enthralling patterns with each new line that unfolds. The compressed vocals, along with the undulating guitar tones, sink you deeper into the song, while the overall mix gives the track a sunset glow—especially toward the end, where the serenity brought about by the instrumentation delivers the perfect ‘sunset’ moment. Catch it here-
3. Michellar – ‘Can’t Get You Out of my Mind’
Michellar’s latest track, ‘Can’t Get You Out of my Mind’, takes an ‘opposites attract’ approach by bringing in a combination of earthy, gravelly vocals over glassy, defined instrumentation. The latter is as unique as the composition itself, with each note placement and instrumental entry bringing in a specific mood that shifts the tone ever so slightly—or sometimes, all of a sudden. The dissonant background riffs feel hauntingly close by, swirling around the vocalist and adding a variation of atmospheric silk, or at times, shimmer. The striking contrast of glassy textures against raw, unfiltered vocals—with every tremble intact—works brilliantly. Listen here-
4. Israell – Dice Are Rolling ‘Dice Are Rolling’ is a fast-paced, energetic piece ready to shake up the system, with the song’s crunchy soundscapes, deep, grainy undertones, and an edgy guitar solo. The vocals set the mood with mellow tones and hard-hitting lines like “habits die hard but love conquers it all,” while underneath, the guitar beds add solid overdrive mileage as they anchor the track. Alongside them, the drums carry intense energy and infectious rhythm, tying everything together to give it a unique corner in the indie-alternative space. The vocalist is the driving force of the song, pulling the listener into the track, while the overall mix gives the song an unmistakably metallic sheen as it amps up intensity at climactic moments. Listen here-5Sean
5. Sean MacLeod – Inside Out
A mix of nostalgia blended with grunge and alternative composition is what makes ‘Inside Out’ stand out. The track from the Dublin-based artist brings a smooth alt-rock and pop blend, maintaining a groove that feels fragmented in places while the lyrics take you through existential corners. The mix on the vocals gives them a far-away, fragmented feel, building intensity toward the end with a sonic "shaky-cam" effect. The wrangly bass notes alongside atmospheric twangs draw the listener deeper into the existential narrative. Overall, a great entry from the indie-alternative scene. Check it out here-
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