LITM Pop Picks Tunes To Turn Your Weekend Around Featuring Ariyel, 8lanco, ST. NIKLAS and More!

LITM Pop picks tunes that will definitely turn your weekend around with the ultimate playlist brough to you by Ariyel, 8lanco, ST. NIKLAS, Dr. Evangelos Viazis and Grey Tower Heights.

Ariyel - How To Be Loved

Ariyel's "How To Be Loved" is a deeply personal exploration of human vulnerability and the unfiltered complexity of connection. Inviting listeners into its dreamy landscapes of atmospheric pop, the song is akin to reading the listener's most intimate journal page- splattered with pain, hope, and self-awareness. Ariyel's delicate, poised vocals lend every lyric sorrow, much like Taylor Swift's Folklore and Phoebe Bridgers' lyrical heartbreaking.

The delicate interplay between hazy guitars and slow, thudding drums mirrors the emotional push and pull of a relationship marked by trauma. Lyrics like, “.you’re sleeping under my skin and making a mess out of me,” convey a soul caught between yearning and the painful reality of unmet emotional needs. The crescendo builds to a sonic catharsis, capturing the bubbling frustration and heartbreak.

This is a benchmark for any one who has ever wrestled with the complexities of love. Its callous candor cements Ariyel's reputation as a compelling read in dream pop.

2. 8lanco - Hell Of It

"8lanco - Hell Of It" is an thrilling beginning to his EP HILLS N' BACK, setting the stage for a seductive mix of euphoric pop excellence. A colorful mixture of sugary melodies, rejuvenating tempos, and awe-inspiring motifs, the song elegantly combines sonic ecstasy with emotional profundity.

8lanco's exuberant voice rises above rich production that is as vibrant as a kaleidoscope. The pop sensibility of the song today is met with subtle details- small shifts in texture and vocal quiver that enhance the listening. Its "luscious sonicality" and powerful beat encourage movement, one cannot help but be moved.

It's what makes "Hell Of It" stand out from the pack: the track's authenticity and not the use of clichéd tropes but the creation of a new, contemporary sound. The ability of 8lanco comes through every note, offering a song that resonates on a personal and global level. It's the kind of tune that you would want on repeat, evidence of 8lanco's ability to create sticky pop anthems.

3. ST. NIKLAS - Habits of a Complex Mind

ST. NIKLAS presents us with a film noir gem in the form of Habits of a Complex Mind, an album heavy with introspection, synths through 80s-tinted glasses, and poignancy of coming of age teen angst. The debut LP is akin to being in a world of oneiric nostalgia, with heartache and awareness set against twilight streets and dissolving memories.

The title track sets the tone for the rest of the album, with tormented vulnerability and overanalyses masked in rich, resonating guitars. "ICSTWYWHN," the opening track, immerses you in misty surroundings, slowly evolving from foggy soundscapes to a frantic yet controlled crescendo. Its hook, "I can't say the words you wanna hear now," stays with you like the pain of unsaid words.

Those who know and love Sam Fender and Del Water Gap will be thrilled by the talent of ST. NIKLAS, but his music is deliciously unique. Habits of a Complex Mind translates the madness of early adulthood into poetry, describing the intricacy of human feeling with elegance as well as toughness.

4. Dr. Evangelos Viazis - Africa's Heartbeat

In Africa's Heartbeat, Dr. Evangelos Viazis creates a scorching tribute to African life and rhythm. The tune is a celebratory one, mixing soulful vocals into the music that sounds alive- drums, flutes, and melodies imbued with the power of African heritage.

The song carries a raw feel of momentum, forcing the audience to get lost in its catchy energy. Dr. Viazis sings with ease over the rich soundscape, an ambassador taking the listener through the world of culture he wishes to give respect to. The integrity of the song makes it stand out; it doesn't merely romanticize Africa but rather gives respect with affection.

Listening to Africa's Heartbeat is like being enveloped in a hug that glorifies life, rhythm, and humanity. It's not a song that merely yearns for attention but for interaction. This isn't a song; this is a cultural experience delivered through music.

5. Grey Tower Heights - Dolly

Grey Tower Heights' Dolly is a unsettling excursion into the depths of experimental music, conjuring an unsettling loveliness that lingers long after the final note has evaporated. From the pounding metal at the beginning to the fractured melodies that dissolve into nothing, Dolly is a lesson in tension atmospherics.

The vocals, retaining spoken word and singing in equilibrium, are theatrically charged but not melodramatic. Each and every word matters, so there is an aura of urgency and threat throughout the exercise. As layers peel off in the song, there is a sense of observing a memory degenerating while the emotions remain.

By artists such as Nick Cave and Björk, Dolly straddles the ground between danger and beauty. It's unsettling and impossible to ignore, dragging you into a world where sound and feeling become indistinguishable. To those who are famished for music which transgresses the boundaries, Dolly is essential listening.

Grey Tower Heights · Dolly

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LITM Pop Picks tunes that Will Put A Smile On to Your Face Featuring jazzygold, Larry Karpenko, Wonderful and Mulahbae!

LITM Pop picks tunes featuring jazzygold, Larry Karpenko, Wonderful and Mulahbae!

1. Jazzygold - we’re alright
   Jazzygold’s "we’re alright" is a velvety blend of jazz and pop that feels like sipping a caramel latte on a rainy day—warm, smooth, and comforting. The song kicks off with a jazzy piano riff that dances around a tight rhythm section, setting a sophisticated yet approachable vibe. Jazzygold’s vocals are the star of the show, effortlessly weaving silky harmonies with a touch of soulful grit. The lyrics—hinged on hope and resilience themes—are a soft reminder that there could be patches of beauty in the eye of a storm. The instrumental interlude is the standout, with solo saxophone playing that is vintage but new. The eclecticism renders the song universally appealing without watering down its artistic sheen. It's a banger of nostalgia with precisely the right degree of grit, ideal for lounging or dancing around your living room.

2. Larry Karpenko - Little Things New
Larry Karpenko's "Little Things New" is the auditory analogue of a walk through a forest bathed in sunlight—earthy, invigorating, and deeply introspective. The melody makes a tip of the hat to indie folk convention with the acoustic guitar being the central instrument, supported by minimal percussion and Karpenko's gentle, evocative singing. The lyrics deal with rediscovery and embracing life's little miracles, weaving lovely images that leave an unforgettable impression in one's mind. Karpenko's narrative is most effectively brought out in the chorus when a dash of melancholy is infused into hope. The tender harmonies in the background provide emotional resonance, elevating the arrangement into something totally spellbinding. It's a song that gets under your skin, pulling at the heartstrings as it provides a warm, soul-hugging experience. Ideal for quiet evenings or quiet moments, this is indie folk at its stripped and purest

3. Wonderful - Just So Beautiful
Wonderful's "Just So Beautiful" is a shimmering dream-pop gem that's like soaring above an inky black night sky filled with stars. Shimmering synth textures wrap the listener in a starry blanket, providing a sonic landscape that's as hypnotic as it is enchanting. Ethereal and soft vocals whisper like a distant galaxy. Lyrically, the song is in wonder at life, nature, and the sheer beauty of love, with poetic flourishes that are sentimental and celestial. Production is heavy on tumbling melodies and a straining rhythm that never wants to end. There's something cinematographic about it—close your eyes, and you can almost imagine a montage of life's most lovely moments spooling out. It's the kind of song that is ethereal and extremely intimate at the same time, to be listened to by ethereal, atmospheric sound enthusiasts.

4. Mulahbae - Tattoos
Mulahbae's "Tattoos" is a gruff, in-your-face track that exudes swagger and sexuality. Combining hip-hop grime with R&B sheen, the song is a nocturnal epiphany on a quiet morning in an easy rhythm. Mulahbae's performance is one of interactivity—slicing between rhythmic rap and melody vocals that wrap themselves around the listener. Strength, identity, and love are searched for in lyrics that borrow from the metaphor of tattoos as indestructible bond and lasting scar. The album is smooth, with a sequined bass slithering low beneath the texture of threatening synths. The hook is more infectious than sin, nigh on necessitating repeat plays. It's the type of song that needs to go on both your gym mix and your late-night drive mixtape. Mulahbae achieves a mood that is sensual yet contemplative, and "Tattoos" is a standout track of modern hip-hop/R&B.

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LITM Rock Picks Tunes That Will Set The Tune Of The Week Just Right For You Brought To by RISE, Spoonr, Adam Brice and More!

LITM Rock sets the tune of the week just right for you featuring RISE, Spoonr, Adam Brice, Night’s Bright Colours and PODVIG!

1. RISE - The Way You Make Me Feel
   RISE has a smooth silky pop-soul ballad with "The Way You Make Me Feel", a track which is full of romantic energy and charm. This is the type of track you can only imagine hearing on the rooftop under the sunshine, perfectly expressing the mood in its light instrumentation and soulful vocals.

   The words, while simple, all the correct bells of love ring love bells all over. RISE aims for a universal love language, presenting a picture of harmony and happiness that is understandable to everyone. The chorus, with its catchy melody and warm harmonies, is stuck in your head after the music has stopped.

   Musically, the track pairs taut percussion with a bare-bones bass groove, with just enough funk to get you moving. The bridge, without its acoustic sheen, puts RISE's expressive vocal range front and centre, pulling you deeper into the emotional core of the song.

   RISE has penned an earworm anthem that is as genuine and light-hearted simultaneously. Whenever you need some soulful hope, "The Way You Make Me Feel" will put you in a smile and lift your step.

2. Spoonr - This Is Being Delivered With A Heavy Heart
Spoonr's "This Is Being Delivered With A Heavy Heart" is a melancholic indie rock ballad that buries sorrow in shining guitars and chorus-like singing. The song goes headlong into heartbreak and loss, encapsulating the delicacy of recovering from brokenness.

From the first strum, the song establishes an atmospheric presence, as if you’ve stumbled into a storm of emotions. Spoonr’s lead vocalist channels raw vulnerability, delivering lines with an aching honesty. The juxtaposition of soaring instrumentation and tender lyrics gives the track its bittersweet charm.

The chorus bursts out in layered harmonies and hammering percussion, both desperate and unbreakable. It's the sonic version of crying during a road trip—sad, cleansing, and somehow liberating. The bridge adds a shot of distortion, providing a raw texture that turns up the emotional intensity.

Spoonr beautifully balances hope and heartbreak in this indie rock gem. "This Is Being Delivered With A Heavy Heart" is a song that you'll want to sit for, as you allow its heartbreaking loveliness to wash over you again and again.

3. Adam Brice - Never Is Too Late
Adam Brice brings life to optimistic sincerity with "Never Is Too Late," a pop-country ballad that reminds us it's never too late to rekindle love. The song is as warm and comforting as a sunset drive with the windows down.

Brice's rough-hewn but likeable voice brings us along, crooning out love-filled lyrics. The lyrics are like a nudge in the back by an old lover saying, "Let's go.".

The song's production mixes old-country textures—acoustic guitar and twangy riffs—into a gloss of pop sensibility. The chorus is arena-sized, its background harmonies swelling the emotional payoff of the song. The bridge collapses for a moment of introspection before careening toward a triumphant conclusion.

Whether you need a pick-me-up or just a feel-good tune, "Never Is Too Late" hits all the right notes. Adam Brice delivers a track that’s both inspiring and infectious—a perfect addition to any uplifting playlist.

4. Night’s Bright Colours - Spring Tomorrow
"Spring Tomorrow" by Night's Bright Colours is a dreamy dive into the ethereal world of dream-pop. Its foggy textures and poetic lyrics make it sound like the sonic equivalent of a sunrise-piercing morning mist—gentle, beautiful, and full of promise.

The music starts with shimmering synths and soft guitar arpeggios, leaving room for an atmospheric journey through the dawn of the new. The lyrics weave a line of rebirth and hope. The vocals glide breezily over the music, carrying an understated warmth that complements the song's message of rebirth well.

As the song ascends, arpeggios and subtle percussion add complexity without obscuring the serene environment. The bridge creates a standout, as cascading arpeggios shower down like spring rain, washing away the remaining residues of winter cold.

"Spring Tomorrow" is more than a song, it's an experience that invites you to slow down, inhale, and soak up its understated optimism. For dreamers who love atmospheric scenery and reflective lyrics, Night's Bright Colours presents a poignant ode to the endless cycles of life.

5. PODVIG! - Cloud Maze
PODVIG!’s “Cloud Maze” is an audacious experimental rock anthem that throws the rulebook out the window. It’s chaotic yet deliberate, like a storm that somehow dances in rhythm. This track is a labyrinth of shifting tempos, unconventional melodies, and quirky vocal delivery—exactly what you’d expect from a band unafraid to push boundaries.

The song lyrics place you on an intellectual path with the utilization of great lyrics. They are as confusing as the music, and listeners find themselves wanting to try to find their own interpretation of the song.

The instrumentation is a blur of screeching guitars, jazzy synths, and syncopated drums that you're never sure what's coming next. The chorus breaks into a wild cacophony, its infectious beat causing you to move, although you have no idea where the rhythm is going.

PODVIG! directs untrammelled imagination into "Cloud Maze," building a song that is both a challenge and an invitation. If you're into music that shatters frames and wallows in the unspecifiable, then this one's for you. Get ready to lose your way—and cherish every moment of it.

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LITM Pop Picks Haunting Tunes Brought To You By Twice Dark, Loralee, Ripsime and more!

LITM Pop Picks some super haunting tunes that will turn your playlist around for good featuring Twice Dark, Loralee, Ripsime, Darling Gails, and Zukrassverliebt.

1. Twice Dark- Necromantic
   "Necromantic" by Twice Dark is a gripping walk on the shadowy side of love. This gothic-industrial vibe makes it more of a séance on a dance floor: dark, eerie, and, yet, strangely seductive. Pulsating beats and eerie synths infuse the whole thing with mystery, while the vocals range from anguished whispers to hypnotic croons. Spinning a story of forbidden relationships and the unknown in poetic yet macabre words, Twice Dark has taken on the perfect ability to craft darkness into a draw, as can be told from "Necromantic" - an infectious song, as if by itself, encouraging your inner nocturnal creature out at midnight on those playlists and even to tap your brooding self.

2. Loralee - Seasick
In "Seasick", Loralee tosses you in emotional waves, playing a lush melody along the pain of beautiful words. It is this dreamy indie-pop gem that would express the feeling of everything getting a little too much: love, life, or even the ocean. Loralee's voice is that silky siren call, tugging you lovingly into these soothing rhythms, the production of which is a breezy tinged-with-a-touch-of-the-melancholy of an overcast seascape day. "Seasick" doesn't so much feel like just a song-there's always a mood attached to it: a vibe- and, honestly, for everyone navigating their turbulent emotions, maybe even the soundtrack. Land? Not anytime soon.

3. Ripsime - Shamanic Faith
Ripsime's "Shamanic Faith" is a mystical journey into the heart of spirituality and rhythm. Underpinned by hypnotic beats, ethereal chants, and earthy instrumentation, the track magically carries you off to some sacred ceremony in the midst of an enchanted forest. The haunting vocals of Ripsime blend so well with the primal energy of the arrangement that it becomes a major trance-inducing experience. As a song, it feels like a modern invocation-part meditation, part celebration. "Shamanic Faith" is a reminder of the power of music to connect us to something greater. Close your eyes, let the rhythm take over, and prepare for a spiritual awakening with a side of groove.

4. Darling Gails - Smile
"Smile" by Darling Gails is pure serotonin in sonic form. With jangly guitars, cheerful harmonies, and a beat that practically skips along, this indie-pop delight feels like a sunny afternoon bottled up in three minutes. The lyrics are sugary but never saccharine, a hymn to all those ephemeral moments that render life beautiful. The Gails' vocals sound warm and welcoming, full of an infectious optimism that will find even the most grumpy listener grinning away by the first chorus. A pick-me-up or just pure feel-goodness, "Smile" is sure to keep you humming and singing along for glee's sake.
Note: May include spontaneous dancing, and side effects uncontrolled. Oh, and yes, the poster is DEFINITELY unmissable.

5. Zukrassverliebt - Teufelskreis
Zukrassverliebt's "Teufelskreis" is a dazzling dive into the chaos of endless loops in life. Translating to "Devil's Circle, the track somewhat lives up to the name with its pulsating mix of electronic beats and hypnotic melodies more like being caught in a vortex. The vocals, delivered with spiky intensity, straddle vulnerability and defiance as the sounds paint a vivid picture of someone consumed by an ever-loops cycle of emotions.

It's bold, layered with sharp synth stabs, haunting echoes, and a bassline that throbs like a heartbeat. The song is almost breathing it is so tasty-they pull you in with their rhythmic grip. "Teufelskreis" lyrically goes into the bittersweet dance of being stuck yet strangely addicted to patterns that we just cannot break free from-a relatable anthem for anyone battling their inner demons.

This is a simple backdrop for late-night contemplation or losing all self on the dance floor. Zukrassverliebt has built a sonic storm equal parts cathartic and captivating, proving that even within a "Devil's Circle," beauty can be found in the chaos.

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LITM Rock Picks Tunes That You Can Add To Your Weekend Playlist Featuring Angryoldogs, Gaz, Time Behind and More!

LITM Rock Picks some great tunes for your weekend playlist brought to you by Angryoldogs, Gaz, Time Behind, The Northern Light and David & Goliat.

1. Angryoldogs - Woke

   Angryoldogs' Woke is an unapologetic burst of raw energy, coupling biting commentary with a gritty, punk-driven edge. The track doesn't just play in the background; it reaches out and grabs you by the collar and forces your attention.

   Instrumentation is the savage and relentless, heavily distorted guitars, heavy drum pounding, an aggressive bass, and an effort to translate that raw punk into the contemporary sounds of rock. The vocals sneered out and fired with such intensity, perfectly encapsulating the frustration and rebellion written into the lyrics.

   The lyrics take an ironic jab at social norms and performative awareness with the irony, and lines cut through all that superficiality lamenting some hollow gestures in a world that really needs to change.

2. Gaz - More Than A Shooting Star

More Than A Shooting Star is the work of Gaz - a gentle, soaring anthem for the ephemeral yet poignant beauty of moments we wish to live forever. It is cinematic and heartfelt in arrangement, almost the musical expression of a whispered wish under the sky of twinkling stars.

The instrumentation is a lush dreamy mixing of guitars and percussive soft beats with warmth, both comforting and uplifting. Gaz gives his voice a heartfelt performance, investing each lyric with sincerity that can be felt. It's impossible not to feel swept away by the crescendos developed in the song.

Lyrically, the song reflects on life's transient beauty, likening precious moments to shooting stars—brief yet unforgettable. The lines evoke a bittersweet longing that tugs at the heartstrings.

More Than A Shooting Star is an enthralling piece, finding beauty in impermanence, soothing within its gentle message. Be reminiscing over some moment that's past or maybe wishing on your own star; this is one soulful accompaniment.

3. Time Behind - Sit Back

Sit Back by Time Behind is a laid-back, introspective song that asks listeners to stop, think, and just be. It is one of those songs that sounds like a slow, warm afternoon where time seems to stop.

The melody is rooted in laid-back grooves, with mellow guitar strums and a rhythmic bassline setting the tone for relaxation. The vocals are smooth and understated, perfectly complementing the easy-going vibe while subtly conveying the song’s deeper undertones.

Lyrically, Sit Back is an ode to mindfulness, urging us to let go of life’s rush and savour its small, often overlooked moments. The lines serve as a gentle reminder to find peace amidst the chaos.

This track is a masterclass in understated beauty, where simplicity speaks volumes. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or seeking a soundtrack for quiet introspection, Sit Back is your perfect escape. Time Behind delivers a calming yet thought-provoking tune that feels like a deep breath in musical form.

4. The Northern Light - Secrets

Secrets is a track from The Northern Light, that exudes heavy introspection over buried truths and vulnerability. Its haunting melodies, alongside the thoughtful words, have that feeling of walking into an unclear, mystified world.

The instrumentation is balanced with dark synth tones and ethereal guitar lines, creating a beautiful sonic soundscape that is hauntingly beautiful. Vocal lines shift from hushed whispers to powerfully realized crescendos in an evocative gesture of the push-and-pull of emotions being portrayed.

Lyrically, Secrets goes into the heavy tension of what's said and what's not said. The lyrics dawn with a poetic, mysterious air that holds listeners on every uttered word.

With a cinematic atmosphere and emotional delivery, Secrets proves The Northern Light can tackle complex human emotions in the recording. It is a song meant to be felt as much as heard—a moody, evocative piece that lingers in the mind long after the last note fades.

5. David & Goliat - You Made My White Christmas Blue

David & Goliat turn holiday cheer on its head with You Made My White Christmas Blue, an achingly moving and refreshingly unconventional holiday song. This bittersweet ballad takes the listener on a reflective journey through heartache during what's meant to be the most joyful time of the year.

The instrumentation is very melancholic; piano plays with a gentle, soothing touch and the strings, setting up the mood of sadness. The weight of sorrow carried in David & Goliat's voice resonates deeply through every line sung, the raw honesty that can't be denied in order not to feel the stinging of their pain.

Lyrically, the song masterfully juxtaposes festive imagery with heartbreak. It is a poignant look at how loss can eclipse even the brightest lights of the season and one that's deeply relatable to anyone who's ever faced a lonely Christmas.

You Made My White Christmas Blue is a stirring reminder that the holidays aren't always merry and bright—and that's okay. With its heartfelt delivery and hauntingly beautiful melody, it's a song that will resonate long after the tinsel comes down.

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LITM Rock Picks Tunes That Will Instantly Jostle You Up After A Long Day Featuring The Sea At Midnight, Partners in Crime and More!

LITM Rock picks tunes that will take you a trip down the memory lane brought to you The Sea At Midnight, Partners in Crime, Anna Thoresen, Richard Tyler Epperson and Whereafter.

1. The Sea At Midnight - Our Brilliant Destruction

   Darkwave merges with poetry as in the case of Our Brilliant Destruction, one of the more hauntingly magnetic tracks from The Sea At Midnight. This one is like musically walking at night through neon-lit cities at midnight-dark and brooding but full of energy.

   The pulsing bassline becomes the heartbeat for the atmospheric layers of shimmering synths and subtle guitar riffs within this track. At once nostalgic and modern, an '80s fever dream reimagined to fit today's existential crises, the vocals hold longing and mystery, bearing introspection and revealing truths that haunt long after the song has stopped.

   Lyrically, the song goes into the beauty and chaos of self-destruction, and how we rebuild from our own ruins. The lines are paradoxical in the celebration of falling apart. It is raw, honest, and undeniably captivating.

   Our Brilliant Destruction shines as a siren for lovers of post-punk and darkwave, speaking a catharsis that somehow is both particular and universal; it's that late-night driver, solitary thinker, and affirmation of the poem of brokenness. The Sea At Midnight says even destruction may be a piece of art.

2. Partners in Crime - I’ll Never Find Another You

Partners in Crime takes us on a nostalgic journey with I’ll Never Find Another You, a heartfelt homage to timeless love. With a vintage charm that nods to the golden era of classic pop ballads, this track beautifully blends old-school sincerity with modern finesse.

The warmth, and shimmer of instrumentation from the opening chords as you are embracing all warm and snug into the hug of life itself speaks in both directions. This is when vulnerability is at its finest. It is finding the ability to move your very heart with each of these deeply heartfelt, seriously sincere lines straight from the heart.

Lyrics have a majestic and timeless quality, a means of speaking about something irreplaceable by a true bond that has both the ache of longing and the happiness of memory. The lines elevate the song's emotion by giving a word of poetic touch that is very deep.

More than a song, I'll Never Find Another You is a reality experience-a gentle reminder that such beauty is really long-lasting by cherishing and valuing someone who leaves a footprint in the heart. If you are still reminiscing or celebrating the connection found, then this track should stir up whatever emotions it must to get pressed repeat.

3. Anna Thoresen - Lonely

Lonely by Anna Thoresen is as melancholic as it is precious. It is wrapped in a simplicity that dreams, with this song, free from all that and very reflective of its words. It is like flipping through a private diary raw, exposed, and painfully relatable.

The verses are rich in the painting of images of isolation: "I haven't been touched in so long, I forgot how it feels." Thoresen has an extraordinary sense of the nuances of loneliness, from a Sunday afternoon doing nothing to late nights with restless tossing, where "the dark came so quick." The hook had a simple la-la-la refrain against which the weight of the lyrics, so emotive, made it hauntingly hypnotic.

The track is very minimalistic, which allows the soft, almost-whisper vocals by Thoresen to take centre stage. The sparseness of instrumentation mirrors the song's theme of emptiness from loneliness while at the same time maintaining a sense of warmth and intimacy.

Lonely is a poignant consideration of human connection-or the lack thereof-and the quiet ways we survive. Whether it's lighting up a spliff or staring out into the night, Thoresen captures the bittersweetness of finding solace in the small things. This is the kind of song that really gets in your head, singing its la-la-las long after the music is gone.

4. Richard Tyler Epperson - I Love It When It's Cold

Richard Tyler Epperson's I Love It When It's Cold is like a cup of warm coffee on a frosty morning: comforting, thoughtful, and quietly strong. A love letter to the chillier seasons, beneath its surface is an ode to finding the beauty in stillness.

Coupled with Epperson's poignant vocals, there is an acoustically-driven melody blending warmth and melancholy. There is beauty in his ability to create imagery with frost-caked windows and crisp air for winter. Softly layered strings and tasteful percussion do not overpower this intimate track but contribute in depth.

The song is lyrically simple but profound. Epperson interweaves personal introspection moments along with universal sentiments that make you feel like you're sharing a quiet moment with an old friend. That the way he writes about cold days is somehow also a metaphor for embracing a quieter slower chapter of life.

I Love It When It's Cold reminds me of holding back and truly enjoying the life moments nobody seems to acknowledge. Whether bundled up on a snowy evening or needing to get away peacefully, it does the job.

5. Whereafter - Blind Heart

BlindHeart brings the electrifying fusion of raw emotion and the edgy aesthetic of alt rock, forming this sonic journey in vulnerability, strength, and complexity that dances the fine line of pain and healing that the band brings to their listeners.

From the very first note, gritty guitar riffs hook you in, paving the way for a dynamic rhythm section that makes the song an unstoppable driving force. A high point of the vocals is powerful yet wounded; they seem to embody all of the themes this song espouses about heartache and defiance with an intensity that cannot be ignored.

It is lyrically about the struggle to survive through emotional blindness where trust fades away and wounds never heal. The lines go down like anthems of persevering through dark nights. Mixing poetic introspection with gritty rawness provides a uniquely cathartic edge.

What makes BlindHeart stand out is the perfect balance of vulnerability and strength. It is a song that speaks to anyone who has ever been through the turmoil of self-discovery with inner demons. With anthemic energy and emotional depth, Whereafter delivers a song that is hauntingly empowering, great for late-night reflection or full-volume catharsis.

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LITM Pop Picks Suave and Laid-Back Tunes That Will Put You Into Ease Brought To You by Ordinary Child, Blue Augustine, MandyCan and More!

LITM Pop Picks super laid-back tunes that you can ease into the weekend with, featuring Ordinary Child, Blue Augustine, MandyCan, Lycio and Made of Sand.

1. Ordinary Child - Piece of Mind

   The song is Ordinary Child's Piece of Mind: a reflective and emotive odyssey through the confusion of finding peace. Its lyrics, and the bare, yet evocative production, ring out as a confession on a personal level, yet somehow also on a universal one.

   Lyrical at best, Piece of Mind is the struggle between chaos and calm as Ordinary Child writes a song that tastes like journal entries set to music. The phrases used in the song really make the song indicate a fight to find some sanity in a life that feels relentless.

   The performance is subtly powerful vocally, full of vulnerability with each note. This raw emotion evoked in the Ordinary Child performance would draw a listener into an internal space of being deeply personal. It then could create a true and effortless link.

   Beauty minimalist instrumentation in tender acoustic guitars with laid-back piano chords and soft ambient textures interweaving in soothing sounds, as if gentle crescendos and quiet pauses somehow mirror ebbs and flows of mental clarity to create meditative concepts.

   The Piece of Mind piece is affectionate, introspective, and lyrical-a petition to breathe for every listener as if Ordinary Child at their most honest and moving. And of course, I don’t think I can EVER stop obsessing over the cover image of the song!

2. Blue Augustine - Evolution of a Heart

Blue Augustine's Evolution of a Heart tracks this kind of poetic journey, one of growth, love, and sometimes the scars acquired along the way. The track is heavy with lush production as if speaking to every listener in terms that feel intimate yet universal.

Lyrically, Evolution of a Heart sounds like a tour de force at the hands of metaphors both from nature and through time to illustrate something of the messy, complex dynamics of emotional development. Lines that are so rich with beauty or pain, about resilience, tell such profound statements with such understated elegance-so simple, these lines are deep.

Vocally, Blue Augustine was passionate in every sense. The voice is gentle and texturally rich with this raw emotional depth; she swung without apparent effort from vulnerability to strength. That sort of delivery is it—it is conversational honesty that is, at times both very guarded and extremely impactful.

The instrumentation is an absolute beauty with sweet acoustic guitars, swelling strings, and ethereal synth layers blended in an indie-folk-ambient. It's all a reflection of the subtle development of the arrangement reflecting self-discovery and acceptance.

Evolution of a Heart is one of those unavoidable reflections of the emotional landscapes of life, testaments to Blue Augustine's mastery of translating personal truths into universal art.

3. MandyCan - Offline

MandyCan's Offline is a refreshing anthem for the digital age, reminding us all to unplug and reconnect with life's simpler pleasures. With laid-back vibes and clever commentary, the track has perfectly balanced introspection with a breezy, feel-good energy.

Sung by Alvina, Offline lyrics are a discovery of virtual connectivity and real-world disconnection. The lines are both witty and poignant, encapsulating the paradox of modern living. MandyCan's writing is sharp, full of humour and heart, and thus feels deeply relatable.

MandyCan is a vocal performance that can easily be engaging vocally. The warmth and authenticity of their voice make listeners want to pause and reflect while remaining light and playful. This gives the conversational tone that it is being held as a very honest chat with an old friend.

The production leans into indie-pop territory, with groovy basslines, shimmering synths, and a steady rhythm that feels like the soundtrack to a much-needed road trip. The bright instrumentation contrasts nicely with the contemplative lyrics for a dynamic listen.

Offline is a charming call to step away from screens and embrace the moment—a track that feels both timely and timeless.

4. Lycio - I Feel Like Being In Love

The song, I Feel Like Being In Love, by Lycio, is a heady cocktail of emotional fragility and sonic polish, a rollercoaster ride through the churning waters of falling in love. The artistry here is deeply personal but strangely universal.

The song's lyrics are the story of a tension between desire and self-protection. It’s both a celebration and a confession, beautifully balancing hope with hesitation.

Vocally, Lycio does have an excellent delivery. The rich soulfulness that this lead vocalist provides will, with tender whisper and soaring crescendos, create the overall raw, naked sound to its performance. With emotional weight held within every note, one could easily become stuck listening.

The production is the result of some electronic-alternative-influence, where the pulsating synths, intricately crafted beats, and deep soundscapes make for quite an ebb-and-flow portrayal of emotion; subtle layers in instrumentation add further depth and dimension to breathe life into the atmosphere.

I Feel Like Being In Love is just a really beautiful ode to vulnerability and connection, showing that Lycio can merge heartfelt storytelling with masterful production.

5. Made of Sand - Come Find Me

Made of Sand in its Come Find Me track builds a hauntingly beautiful ode to longing and self-discovery in ethereal tones and raw emotion. The track is an invitation to the listener for an intimate journey that comes across deeply personal yet absolutely relatable.

The lyricism of Come Find Me is an exploration of the search for connection and identity with poetic elegance. The lines are the ache of vulnerability that speaks of feeling unseen yet hopeful. The words are full of introspection and layers, full of newness in every listen.

The vocal is majestic—delicate and powerful, a fragile strength that matches perfectly with the reflective mood of the song. The singer's voice almost feels like it stretches out for a long emotional distance, making listeners closer with each word.

Instrumentally, the song is a lush mix of dream-pop and ambient influences, shimmering guitars, airy synths, and a subtle, steady rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of introspection. Production creates a really good sonic atmosphere like walking through a foggy dreamscape.

Come Find Me is a masterful exploration of yearning, where Made of Sand has the capability to create music that touches one's soul on a deep level.

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