LITM Rock Picks Tunes Brought To you By Sons of Chance, Ubiquity Machine, King in Yellow and More!

LITM Rock Picks Tracks to Jostle Up Your Playlist Featuring Sons of Chance, Ubiquity Machine, King in Yellow, Koburg and Chris Quesnel

  1. Sons of Chance- Show Them
    Sons of Chance are not visiting to play- they're here to slay. With a chant-ready "woawaoah," Show Them takes us in on its inspiring vibe quicker than you can say "dance revolution." It's more than an indie alt-pop-rock tune; it's a movie anthem for those times when life has you beat, and you must get up like a phoenix with deadly dance skills.

    The words, "Get on your feet now, boy, show them you can shake and dance," may come across as basic party directions, but it's more than that. It's a rallying cry for battling the darkness of despair, a plea to reclaim your happiness, and a reminder that sometimes the best way to combat the blues is to boogie them into submission.

    From Fife, Scotland, this high-energy band understands how to blend metaphorical and uplifting lyrics with ageless instrumentation. Seriously, this may be the movie soundtrack of a Guy Ritchie montage- picture a tough underdog boxer fighting along with this playing. Straight-up gold. Sons of Chance are the motivational experts we never knew we needed. Now, we need to go add this gem to all playlists forever.

2. Ubiquity Machine- Angela
If longing had a theme song, it would be Ubiquity Machine's Angela. Half indie-rock soul and half melancholic electronic marvel, this song is like a love letter wrapped in fog and nostalgic longing. It's the aural equivalent of gazing out of a rainy window, pleading with the universe, "Do you even care, Angela?"

Dan Marsh and Howard Rabach, the DC dream team musicians, bring you layers of rich synths, eerie guitars, and words that punch you in the existential gut. Phrases like "You got the love I need, kinda love that I believe" are poem punches to the stomach. Do you believe in love, Angela? Do you?!

With over 100 songs to their name, Ubiquity Machine proves their storytelling prowess yet again. This one will haunt you- in the best way possible. Just don’t listen to it at 3 a.m. unless you’re prepared to spiral (with headphones on, of course).

3. King in Yellow- Dream Weapon
If only your most profound existential crisis had a killer soundtrack. That is Dream Weapon by King in Yellow. Inspired by the eerie, broken-up stories of Robert W. Chambers' The King in Yellow, this song is shoegaze, noise-rock, and new wave giving birth to a gorgeous melancholy child.

Unfurling at the margins like a memory torn away, the guitars keen, the feedback throbs, and the vocals- nearly a wail, almost a whisper—grieve what's lost. It's akin to hearing Pixies' Black Francis on the way home from a very bad day. The line "Dream Weapon is about delusion" sums up that sinking sensation when you discover the world isn't the way it appears—or the way you wished.

Kyle McDonough and Nick Vining make their Kingston, NY recording a fever dream that's well worth the wait. This is music for pacing the floor at 3 a.m., a ghost at your back, and questions you can't quite put into words. Haunting and hypnotic, Dream Weapon sticks with you long after the final note has sounded.

4. Koburg- Twisted Fairytale
Dive into Koburg's Twisted Fairytale gothic majesty, where symphonic metal and cinematic drama entwine. If Painted Stars does not give you chills, are you truly alive? Koburg's strong vocals sweep like a heroine battling her way through an enchanted forest- daring, lovely, and totally badass.

This record isn't music; it's an experience. Each song feels like it was ripped from the score of a dark fantasy epic. The name implies a reinterpretation of fairy tales, but darker, grittier, and more emotionally-packed. It's like if Maleficent had formed a metal band and went on tour across the realms.

Die-hard symphonic metal and theatricality fans will adore Koburg's transformation as an artist. This album is just what you need for those times when you want to be empowered, exposed, and transported to another world- simultaneously.

5. Chris Quesnel – Tarantino

Lights, camera, summer feeling! Chris Quesnel's Tarantino isn't a song- it's a mood. Picture a sun-kissed montage of road trips, beach excursions, and serendipitous meetings with a stranger who just might become the love of your life. This alt-pop pearl is your new summer jam.

The track’s soaring guitars and infectious melody feel like Party in the U.S.A. met indie cool at a music festival and decided to stay up all night talking about fleeting love and serendipity. It’s bright, fun, and oh-so-relatable, especially if you’ve ever experienced that spark of connection with someone new.

With Californian producer Matthew May's output, Quesnel is able to capture the thrill of a summer romance in a catchy but non-clichéd fashion. Tarantino is the musical equivalent of the ideal pair of sunglasses- cool, effortless, and guaranteed to make everything a little more radiant.

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LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks Tunes Featuring Chris Quesnel, BRANDON SC, CALAMITY JAY and more!

LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks Tunes to Vibe brought to you by Chris Quesnel, BRANDON SC, CALAMITY JAY, Guy Simoneau and Emma Miller.

  1. Chris Quesnel - Cherry Chapstick (Acoustic)
    Chris Quesnel has unclogged the thudding energy of "Cherry Chapstick" in a stark acoustic rendition that feels like a close-up chat. Such an approach pays tribute to Quesnel's storytelling ability and emotional intelligence as he ascends a hook-laden pop song on an idyllic ballad.

    Acoustic guitar plucks softly in the background; there is warm, minimalist production here, allowing Quesnel's smooth voice to age the language. The words are richer here, wistful and near-past heft to them.

    The chorus is just as hooky, but its acoustic performance is now more in the vein of a clandestine whisper than a howl to the masses. The string-skipping bridge is the highlight, a mellow moment before the final chorus blows up in even crazier abandon.

    Acoustic pop enthusiasts will adore this rendition of "Cherry Chapstick." It is a testament to the power of simplicity and sincerity in music, which makes it perfect for quiet evenings and musing playlists.

2. BRANDON SC- Diary
Diary
by BRANDON SC is an independent folk diary as intimate as sifting through the pages of a hand-written journal. Its sparse arrangements and introspective lyrics invite listeners into the realm of gentle vulnerability and unchecked feeling.

It opens with a soft acoustic guitar and immediately creates a personal atmosphere. BRANDON SC's warm exposed voice bears the burden of his words. The scene is vivid and intimate, chronicling moments of happiness, sorrow, and revelation in poetic style.

Throughout the track, strings and harmonies are heaped up high, depth being added to the minimalist configuration. In simplicity, the chorus screams as a mantra A footnote of how we mature and grow as we work our way around the world and write it upon our pages.

Just as good for Iron & Wine fans or Gregory Alan Isakov's, "Diary" is a chic written indie-folk treasure that stays in your heart well past the time music has ceased playing, just as the smell of an old novel.

3. CALAMITY JAY - A Hobo’s Hymn
Calamity Jay's "A Hobo's Hymn" is an Americana staple weaving tales of wandering spirits and lost highways into a soulful, raspy-voiced masterpiece, capturing the freedom and melancholy that makes the genre so timeless and evocative.

The songs are raw and lush, filled with jangly guitars, a howling mandolin, and the ever-present beat of a long train ride. The lyrics paint vivid portraits of changing lives.

Rahel's voice is the soul of the song, with a weathered sense of wisdom that pulls you in and sets up shop within the story. The chorus is a hauntingly optimistic refrain, it leaves a sense of pondering.

"A Hobo's Hymn" is just right for fans of legends such as Townes Van Zandt or Gillian Welch. It's a tune for anyone who's ever been drawn to the open road or has ever known the pangs of homesickness, all rolled up in a lovely melody.

4. Guy Simoneau
Guy Simoneau brings a message of hope and faith with "Good News," a modern gospel song that exudes optimism and spiritual encouragement. The song is a testament to perseverance, thankfulness, and faith in better days to come.

The arrangement is a vibrant mix of piano-driven melodies, uplifting choir harmonies, and a toe-tapping rhythm section. Simoneau’s vocal delivery is powerful and full of conviction, drawing listeners into the joyful proclamation.

The lyrics are straightforward yet impactful, offering reassurance to anyone facing challenges. The bridge, with its call-and-response interplay between Simoneau and the backing choir, is a highlight, creating a sense of communal celebration that’s impossible to resist.

For people who love contemporary gospel or inspirational tunes, "Good News" is a nice reminder of the power of friendship and belief. It's a song that can uplift your spirits and encourage you to spread its good news to other people.

5. Emma Miller - Artifacts
It’s not often that a live performance moves you to the core, except Emma Miller did that with her performance. Emma Miller's "Artifacts" is an exquisitely written indie folk-pop that feels like excavating emotional treasures long hidden in the annals of the past. Her otherworldly voice and literary lyrics capture the fragility and tenacity of memories, infusing them in a tender but potent melody.

The instrumentation is subtle yet compelling, with acoustic strumming that is softly played, gentle piano playing, and ambient strings that provide depth. Miller's vocals are eerily emotive as she croons.

The song’s structure mirrors the act of excavation, starting with a quiet, introspective verse before building into a lush, emotionally charged chorus. The production is crisp yet organic, allowing every element to breathe and contribute to the track’s emotive power.

"Artifacts" will resonate with fans of artists like Phoebe Bridgers or Lucy Rose. It's a song for those who find beauty in introspection and strength in vulnerability, offering a powerful reminder that our past shapes but doesn't define us.

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If you would like to submit your music for playlist or review consideration, please submit here.