This edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks brings you intimate, lilting compositions and a strong mix of textures from the artists- Maria Mihailik, The Willful Deaf and AnnaBelle Swift.
1. Maria Mihailik – What I Mean
Maria Mihailik’s latest, ‘What I Mean,’ is a soft, personal piece laced with warmth, passionate guitar strokes, and intimately carved vocals. On the surface is a gentle layer of texture, beneath which lies an underbed of warm complexity baked by human experience. It’s one of those songs that is quietly reassuring—a cosy space to crawl into. The instrumentation feels like the gentle flicker of a candle, pairing perfectly with Mihailik’s quivering vibrato. Subtle additions from a well-paced reed tie the emotionality of the song together, adding a sense of reassurance with every soft note.
2. The Willful Deaf – Spirit of Youth
A whimsical track from The Willful Deaf, ‘Spirit of Youth’ captures a multi-layered experience with its jangle of instrumentation and slow, fragmenting textures. It layers different instruments like bursts of colour while leaving pockets of air to capture the full bloom of resonance. Combined with an atmospheric haze, this lifts the song into an airy lightness with an almost hypnotic feel. The arrangement adds a simmering touch toward the end before it suddenly stops—highlighting just the vocals and a few pops of instrumentation to bring back that initial element of whimsy.
3. AnnaBelle Swift – Belong
AnnaBelle Swift’s latest track comes wrapped in the soothing vibes of gentle, foot-tapping beats and lilting melodic lines. The arrangement features a strong, grounding bass and a string of synth notes dripping into the swirling soundscape, pairing beautifully with Swift’s pristine vocals and their silky, stream-like quality. The production introduces a haze in the middle, giving the track a shimmery, almost otherworldly feel as the vocalist sings: “when the world's too much for you, call my name, I’ll help you.” This is a true mood-setter—a song to help you settle into the cosiness of the night.
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