In LITM Pop Picks this week, Lapenzi, Kärma Sounds, Joe Lington and others deliver emotionally charged ballads, soulful melodies, and dancefloor hits

In this edition of LITM Pop Picks, we take you on a musical journey from heartfelt love songs to club hits from artists Lapenzi, Johnaé Elease, NEO & NEO, Kärma Sounds, and Joe Lington.

Lapenzi - Pretend

Australian singer-songwriter Lapenzi’s latest release titled “Pretend” is an emotive musical outpour of a dejected lover. The penetrative tonality of the singer’s voice shines bright over soothing piano melodies. It immediately reminds you of the vocal texture and writing style of artists like Miley Cyrus. Lyrically, the track is a hymn for broken hearts; traversing topics of loss, yearning and attachment. The song has a tendency to wring your heart strings, emanating a sense of melancholy and emotional release. Towards the end, the song beautifully culminates into pure and raw singing and solitary piano keys that linger in your mind long after the song’s over. 

Johnaé Elease - Headphones

Singer-songwriter and mental health advocate, Johnaé Elease’s new track titled “Headphones”  provides a musical companion to all those feeling overwhelmed by society, burnt out and experiencing the anxiety of infinite choices. Her heart-felt vocal rendition of the lyrics convey the beauty and power of music to offer a safe haven to anybody feeling anxious. She draws from her own experience of finding immense joy in “never-ending playlists” on an unsettling day. With vibrant peppy guitars, bubbly rhythm and soft harmonies this song feels like the gentle morning sun hitting your skin. If you’re having a not-so-okay day and are in need of a mood-lifter, then this is the song you need.

NEO & NEO - Stone In My Heart (Live At Hardstudios)

Stone In My Heart is NEO & NEO’s new indie release. With emotive chords, grounding beats and grunge vocals that deepen and soften in waves emphasizing the lyrical narrative, this song is meant for those times when you find yourself drawn into the current of introspection. As the song takes shape, sustained piano sounds surround the track driving feelings of melancholy and separation deep into your heart. This track’s musical expression is reminiscent of sounds from Coldplay, Kodaline and others. The lyrics allude to gloomy days that bring an air of contemplation. It addresses the weight of one’s inner chasm and explores concepts of attachment and absence. 

Karmä Sounds - Mysterious

Mysterious is a high-energy club-banger type of a song released by Kärma Sounds, the moniker of Karina Morin, a Vancouver based artist. The electro-pop track is a shot of adrenaline packed with dance beats, funk and synth elements. The singer’s emphatic voice and sonic range clearly exhibits her vocal influences by artists like Erykah Badu, Sade and Chaka Khan. Through the lyrics we hear a story about being curious, impulsive and free in love.   As the song progresses, slinky guitar riffs, squiggly bass notes and electronic pulses merge together, creating a dreamy cosmic soundscape. This song sonically paints a picture of what it might feel like to be transported to a dance-club in another planet, where you have just locked eyes with a potential beau. Because why not, “Life’s too serious” and you want to “Keep it mysterious”.

Joe Lington - You & Me 

With “You & Me” Joe Lington renders a groovy sonic narrative on love. The song’s twangy acoustics, bass notes, passionately husky vocals, and soft rock beats draws listeners in and never loses their attention. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of love and togetherness, while the music's suave melodies and unhurried tempo enhances the song's nostalgic charm. If you enjoy the French language, then you’re in for a treat– a French verse in the second half vocally delivered with raw authenticity. The instrumental arrangement is tastefully understated, allowing the vocals and lyrics to shine. This track is sure to strike a chord with anyone who's ever been in love.

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LITM Pop Picks this week brings you energetic beats, diverse vocal textures and futuristic sounds from artists Yael Lanciano, Duncan Spencer, Balloon Shed and others

This edition of LITM Pop Picks covers a wide range of musical expression ranging from peppy love songs, festive carols, moody tunes to otherworldly soundscapes from artists Yael Lanciano, D’Artagnan, H. Kink, Duncan Spencer and Balloon Shed.

Yael Lanciano - Runnin’ Away

With “Runnin’ Away” singer-songwriter Yael Lanciano takes us back to 2010’s pop music era. Using refreshing melodies and lively rhythm, she makes music that is reminiscent of Carly Rae Jepsen or Selena Gomez. The lyrics describe the singer’s sweet persuasion to her beloved who is in two minds about their connection. Yael’s lyrical prowess ensures that the vocals complement the musical background like hot chocolate to croissant. The song’s electric keys, dance beats and silvery vocals make it stand out. It’s also hard not to mention the praise-worthy production on this track. Send this to your crush and they might just inch a little closer to you.

D’Artagnan - Merry Christmas Darling

Christmas comes early this year with D’Artagnan’s new release titled “Merry Christmas Darling”. This track is a musical manifestation of gratitude, celebration and love. With tender vocals laid gently on jolly tunes and festive chimes, this track makes you want to open that xmas decorations box and get to work. The celebratory sounds of the chorus invokes feelings of love and joy that will spill on to your loved ones…through a phone call in case you’re home alone. This song will instantly transport you to snowy days, warm chocolate drinks and gift wrappers. A compulsory track for your Christmas party this year.

H. Kink - Once In A While

“Once In a While” is the opening track of H.Kink’s latest album “Karate”. A pensive and moody soundscape envelops the entirety of this track, setting the stage for the formidable auditory journey that is to come. Sharp pulsating beats, shifting vocal display, and dark melodies make this powerful pop-rock track one of a kind. H.Kink explores concepts of longing, emptiness and outrage through the lyrics. As the song progresses, it gets more entropic with increasing emotional tension, distorting melodies, dark electric notes and high-intensity vocals. This track aptly conveys the turmoil in a person’s mind caused by the bitter aftermath of bad love.  

Duncan Spencer - Paradise

Duncan Spencer soothes the listener with sentimental sounds and inspiring lyrical display in the likes of Coldplay or One Republic with his latest track “Paradise”. This track’s lulling piano notes, tranquil guitar riffs and relaxing rhythm will ease your aching soul. With empowering lyrics, this song will penetrate the layers of your mind and awaken powerful hope. Duncan’s deep voice gives off a feeling as though the singer is personally reaching out to you, especially during the lines “I know you’ll figure it out…” and “tell me honey, tell me honey, are you feeling alright…” This song is a sonic paradise for the ones feeling lost and in need of emotional strength and redirection.

Balloon Shed - Frank Says

Singer-songwriter Rowan Davies’ bedroom-pop and garage-rock project named “Balloon Shed” methodically blends genres in this new track titled “Frank Says”. There’s a nostalgic alt rock sound about this track with pop elements embedded in the musical crevices. The lyrics weave a futuristic story of a pioneer guiding his people to other worlds in search of life sustaining forces. Frank’s message is made loud and clear in this song- Each of these worlds suffer the same fate; of bloom and ruin. Ultimately, the souls that inhabit these worlds inherit the same fate. With soaring orchestral melodies, classic rock beats and energetic guitar riffs, Balloon Shed conjures up an animate musical backdrop for this prophetic space-age tale.

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Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator