This LITM Rock Picks takes you through different moods from feel-good to reflective, featuring artists Jessye DeSilva, The Wow Wows, Fair Green, Dave Lebental, Karma Train and Paul Louis Villaini.
1. Jessye DeSilva-Punk Rock Joy
Punk Rock Joy is one of those alternative tracks that you jam to at the back of the car on a long, night drive. While on the surface it’s got still and calm waters, as you go deeper into the layers within the soundscape, it’s got a strong, rocky undercurrent, giving you that ‘sinking’ feel while at the same time, the rhythm holds you with its gentle pulse. The artists strike a delicate balance between the whirring synths and warping instrumentation with the grip of the vocals and drums duo, creating a variety of funky patterns. This narrative is further enunciated towards the end, as all layers intermingle and slow-morph into one kinetic stratosphere before heading into the quiet. Listen here-
2. The Wow Wows- Johny’s Gone Invisible
This alternative track offers a crisp sandwich of vocals compressed between crunchy layers of instrumentation, dense with volume and flavour. The track begins with a cheeky bait-and-switch setup, winding up the tension tightly, only to take a U-turn into the release, launching into a laid-back rhythm. The vocals maintain a drawl, while the overall mix keeps it cushiony, to contrast it with the sharp twangs and distortions from the guitars and drums. When the vocals do peak out, they become one with the instruments, resulting in the track having a unique arrangement. All in all, it’s an enjoyable tune and a great performance from the band.
3. Fair Green - Tuesday Morning
Tuesday Morning does, oddly, hit the bullseye of its namesake, where the routine autopilot kicks in without the added Sunday blues or the Friday Feeling. The song feels like the morning rush hour, with a fast, excitable tempo, but with a few drowsy harmonies- a slight bit of dissonance, almost like the low hum of an alarm clock. The song leans into alternative territory with its chord progressions and tonal compositions, while the vocals and drums bring in a pop vibe. The guitars and subtle piano textures give the track a more kick, as the instruments soar into a feverish frenzy between the verses and choruses. Listen here-
4. Dave Lebental, Karma Train- Addition by Subtraction
A combination of whimsical lyrics and a ridiculously catchy tune, ‘Addition by Subtraction’ is Dave Lebental and Karma Train’s latest drop in the indie rock/post punk scene. It reminds you of one of those tracks following one of the main characters around in a comedy film. The underbed of instrumentation is layered, with several instrumental grooves, all squeaky clean in delivery and polish. They each stand out individually while also accompanying each other and the lead vocals, each pepping up the other in a fun, lively gathering. It feels like a jazz musicians’ meetup with its quirks and unique stylisations,
5. Paul Louis Villani- There's Not Enough Black In Your Images
On a more grungy note, we have Paul Louis Villani with themes of inevitability and societal decay. The track is a powerful message delivered in rap with lyrics such as “The resilient few who dare to exude. They rise from the shadows, their strength renewed”. This, combined with the rolling underbed of menacing hooks and earthy overdrives, results in a hard-hitting piece that stays with you. It’s one of those tracks that isn’t shy of moving away from a typical song format with both, its delivery and its arrangement, which works well given its weighty topic. Listen here-
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