This edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks brings to you retro fused contemporary tracks, songs that feel like the sea breeze, and so much more. The list features artists Toni Janke, Nice Verdes, Sophie Penman, and more.
Toni Janke - Cool Life
A funky guitar riff starting off the track, ‘Cool Life’ by Toni Janke is all about the retro with a contemporary flourish. The instrumentation is smooth, fun, and oh so very groovy, and will have you moving to its infectious rhythms in no time. There aren’t any major complications in the instrumentation, just solid riffs, solid basslines, and steady drum pattern. Janke’s vocals embody the cool in the cool life, and can very much become the voice in your head asking you to participate in life. Lyrically, the song quite literally provides you to the manual for living a cool life, and you should absolutely take it.
Nice Verdes - Loads of Songs
Taking you to the Spanish countryside with its tunes, ‘Loads of Songs’ by Nice Verdes will be the happy to your gloom from the very first note of the song. A gentle sea breeze, fragrant spring flowers, pleasant sunshine on your face – that is what the song feels like. The instrumentation is very much influenced by the Latin American musical elements. The shift in instrumentation in the last section, will have you up and dancing with the next person. The double layered vocals are a pure delight. You will be losing out real bad, if you don’t check out the song this very minute and allow it to make you smile.
Sophie Penman - Albert Street
Lovely piano notes starting off the track, ‘Albert Street’ by Sophie Penman will make you want to grab your coat and walk endlessly along a beautiful street, with all the memories coming flooding in. The instrumentation is light and warm, and has all the qualities required for it to be in a romcom. The song also has a quiet, solid Christmas vibe going for it – warm, shimmering – but also a touch of melancholy. The melancholy comes from the fact that the song is alla bout yearning and longing for someone you don’t call yours anymore, and now that they are gone, the skies are “all clouded.”
ALLEY the band - The Release (Now it's over)
Twangy guitar riffs starting off the track, ‘The Release (Now it's over)’ by ALLEY the band is sure to surprise you with its shifts and transitions. The song has a quiet, soft rock sound to it and the instrumentation will remind you of some of the softer tracks of Led Zeppelin. The vocals are echoey and are full of hope and optimism. Lyrically, the song is all about realising your own worth and getting up, releasing yourself from all that was holding you back, to go and conquer the world. The song with its quiet strength, hope and gentle yet profound instrumentation will have your heart.
BC25 - Second Window
Starting off with percussions of a magnetic rhythm, ‘Second Window’ by BC25 will have you under its spell. The instrumentation is hypnotic, trance-like, as it quietly builds, never with great suddenness. The musicality of the song also gives it a folk-ish vibe. The synths clubbed with the percussion gives the song a smoky, mysterious vibe. The vocals complement the song in its mysterious vibe, and add great textures to it. The mysterious vibe of the song is contributed by the lyrics which are all about finding something in your partner, something they did not intend you to find out. Unique in its themes and music, the song deserves a solid listen.
Follow the playlist for all new artist updates!
If you would like to submit your music for playlist or review consideration, please submit here