This edition of LITM Rock Picks brings to you eclectic hard rock, Americana tracks with unique stories, Britpop influences, and more. The list features Splitting Hairs, Kotana, Yellow Dog Conspiracy, and more.
Splitting Hairs - Dark Magic
With a bright pop rock sound driving its sound, ‘Dark Magic’ by Splitting Hairs is the kind of song that fills your heart with sun rays and injects into it hope and sweetness, all of which might lie in contradiction to the title itself. The instrumentation banks on an amalgamation of acoustic and electric guitar riffs to create lovely sound textures in the track. The drum patterns in the song alongside the guitars might remind you of Brit-pop, especially of the softer Oasis tracks. The vocals however are different from what 90s Brit-pop sounds like, for it brings in whispery dual vocals, which creates a very calming listening experience.
Kotana - Novocaine
Starting off raw and fierce, ‘Novocaine’ by Kotana will fire up any coldness within you and liven your spirits significantly. The instrumentation leans towards a hard rock sound, bringing in both metal and grunge elements, catering to the use of the fiery guitar riffs, thunderous drum patterns, which will have you remain on the edge throughout the duration of the track. The vocals in the song too capture and align with that raw, visceral energy in the instrumentation, through its rugged textured takes. Chaotic in the best possible way, this one is a must listen for the hard rock fans out there.
Yellow Dog Conspiracy - March
A deeply political and a deeply relevant song, ‘March’ by Yellow Dog Conspiracy uses its energetic sound to talk about the gun shootings in America and the youth-led ‘March for Our Lives’ gun-reform movement that started post the 2018 shootings. The instrumentation leans towards a 80s hard rock sound, bringing in fiery energy and magnetic rhythms. The guitar solos in the song are truly brilliant and will have you restarting the song just to experience it all over again. The vocals are brilliantly done, and have a uniqueness to them that is typical of the 80s sound. This song, both top-tier in its relevance and its music, ought to be listened to many, many times.
Richard Tyler Epperson - One Thought Away
Starting off with reflective piano notes and bare vocals, ‘One Thought Away’ by Richard Tyler Epperson moves into a sound territory that is characterised by innovation and creativity. The instrumentation leans towards a 2000s alt-rock sound, but it takes its liberties with it, and carves its own sound through that inclination. The drum work in the song is truly exquisitely done, for it brings about shifts in emotionality and intensity and is almost like a guide through the journey that the lyrics chart out. Lyrically, the song digs into thoughts that our minds are often to afraid to acknowledge – of the fear of letting our mind and emotions consume us in the face of our relentless attempts at holding on.
Jola Recchioni - I See Red
Bringing old school rock and metal amalgamation to the 2020s, ‘I See Red’ by Jola Recchioni might just tap into your repressed frustrations and anger that you took great care to not acknowledge. The instrumentation is driven by a fiery hard rock sound, bringing in swirling guitars alongside staccato guitar riffs, and thunderous drum patterns cater to the explosive nature of the song. Jola’s vocals truly transport you to another time and place, because of how rooted in authenticity they are. Lyrically, the song is all about charging a partner for their lack of honesty and forthcomingness, and the resultant expression of anger and frustration emerging from the same.
Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!
If you would like to submit your music for playlist or review consideration, please submit here