LITM Pop Picks Featuring Juliana Hale, *COPE., Cormac and More!

This edition of LITM Pop Picks brings to you electronic pop, songs with themes rarely dealt with, and songs that echo everlasting questions. The list features artists Juliana Hale, *COPE., Cormac, and more.

Juliana Hale - Skin and Bones

Blending pop and dance elements, ‘Skin and Bones’ by Juliana Hale is under the catchy tunes, a deeply vulnerable track. The song deals with Hale’s struggle with chronic illness, and thereby, deals with themes that are rarely talked about, when it absolutely should be. Vocally, Hale is extremely proficient and potent in conveying the years of pain, and the vocals are in no way subtle and are therefore full of raw emotions. Hale is brave in documenting her story, her pain through this song, and in doing so she has offered a medium through which other people with similar experiences can feel seen. 

*COPE. - No Request

With textures that are simply magnetic, ‘No Request’ by *COPE. will have you under its spell in no time. The song blends electronic pop and dance pop alongside hip-hop, creating the perfect recipe for the best energies on the dance floors. There are multiple layers in the song musically, and this brings about a dense, rich texture. There is also a sultry, flirty vibe going around in the song which is contributed by the vocals, and this brings in a fun energy to the track. The song is infectious, it is irresistibly catchy and you simply won’t be able to get the song out of your head from the first listen alone. 

Cormac - Perfect 

Starting off with a beautifully gentle electric guitar, ‘Perfect’ by Cormac is a swoon worthy Christmas-sy cover of the original track. The thing with this cover is that Cormac significantly adds a lot of his own to it, and makes it something that maintains the beauty of the original while managing to add on to that beauty. Cormac’s vocals are so very calming and soothing, making it a song perfect for unwinding. With ethereal backing harmonies, the song stays true to all the Xmas songs that we know. With its subtle jingles, shimmering guitars, among other typical elements, this song has every potential to be your new favourite Christmas track.

Violet Whimsey - what happened to our love?

A solid acoustic guitar riff starting off the track, ‘what happened to our love?’ by Violet Whimsey asks questions that we might have all had and some point or the other, with our hearts that are prone to breaking. The song is brooding, reflective as it recounts the love when it was beautiful and one that you saw going a long way, which turned into a love that left you with a bucketful of questions that you have no answers to. Whimsey’s vocals in the chorus section is layered which deepens the brooding nature of the questions she asks. Emotionally raw and vulnerable, you might just find a shoulder in this track. 

Trueclaw - The Ones Remembered

With haunting hums starting off the track, ‘The Ones Remembered’ by Trueclaw will have you quickly and undoubtedly mesmerised by the vocals. The vocals are simply a pure showcase of skill and emotion. The song, genre wise, dominantly lies in the electronic pop genre. Contrary to a large stack of electronic pop tracks, this song is deeply emotive, expressing pain that will reach through your heart. The editing of the vocals in the chorus section brings in a very magnetic sound to the track. Emotionally intense, this song will appeal to both electronic pop lovers as well as those who like their electronic pop songs to have immense depth. 

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LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks, with pieces from Tomato Soup and more!

This week’s edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks features pieces from Tomato Soup and more!

Tomato Soup - “Half Evil”

Tomato Soup is Denver’s most imaginative indie folk rock band, blending heartfelt storytelling with infectious energy — and on their latest single, “Half Evil”, they bring a warm, welcoming sound coming through quite nicely with the female vocals. The guitars are articulate and lively, and the drumming is spirited and energetic — with the harmonies forming a beautiful wall of sound that’s sure to keep you hooked. Rounding out this performance is a supple mix and master that preserves the warmth of the sound amazingly — making for a beautiful listen. Check out the track here!

Paul Thompson - “The Clocks Went Back”

Paul Thompson is a singer and songwriter based in the United Kingdom, who has a penchant for gentle, winding music — blending hopeful and introspective themes in his latest single, “The Clocks Went Back”, Paul weaves a beautiful story with the pianos, the guitars, and their soulful singing. The whole track has a very easy-listen quality, with thoughtful songwriting and production that makes it truly stand out. Couple this with a wide, clear mix that gives each instrument its much-deserved space, and you have a cracker of a track. Take a listen to the track here!

Elizabeth Winterbourne - “Salem”

Elizabeth is a New York–based singer-songwriter whose heartfelt blend of Americana, pop, and rock captures the raw beauty of the human experience — and on her latest single, “Salem”, she takes us on a journey that’s filled with energy and soul. Be it the quirky percussion, or the well-produced basses and guitars, she lays a solid foundation to the track rather early — and tops the charm off with choirs, pads, and synths that fill up the sonic space quite beautifully. The energy brings a whole high once the choruses step in, elevating this track to a level unprecedented. All in all, a winner! Check out the track here:

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LITM Singer-songwriter picks tunes brought to you by George Collins Band, Blind Man’s Daughter and Robin James Hurt

LITM Rock Picks tunes featuring George Collins Band, Blind Man’s Daughter and Robin James Hurt!

1. George Collins Band – “Black and White World”

For years, George Collins has been the quiet craftsman of the roots-rock world - the guy who can make a song feel both intimate and stadium-ready without ever breaking a sweat. But "Black and White World"? That's him throwing the cardigan off and strutting straight into the spotlight.

Gone are the cozy, fireside tones of "By the Time" or "New Way." Here, Collins leans into a sharp, staccato groove - electric guitars flicker like neon signs, brass punches in like punctuation, and the rhythm section practically grins as it drives the track forward. You can almost hear the joy of a band in full swing, playing for the sheer thrill of it.

Lyrically, however, Collins gets philosophical, reminding us life is not a question of black versus white, but all nuance, smudges, and shades of in-between. The track becomes both groove-heavy bop and clever commentary on how oversimplified thinking divides us. Smart rock music that dances as it preaches, with a little of Tom Petty's swagger, Elvis Costello's bite, and a whole lot of George Collins's wisdom.

2. Blind Man’s Daughter – “Harbor Boulevard”

The heart and soul behind Blind Man's Daughter, Ashley Wolfe, is a special talent, and this is exceptionally realized with "Harbor Boulevard." It's not just a song — it's a letter, a memory, and a love that refuses to fade.

For her father, who lives with Alzheimer's, Wolfe is painting her childhood street - the first house, the laughter, the echoes of life - in soft brushstrokes of guitar, piano, and heart. Cinematic yet delicate in its production, it offers textures that shimmer in all the ways an old photograph might do. Her voice is right at the center, perfectly positioned among the grief and grace, carrying the kind of emotional honesty that stills a room in an instant.

Fans of Kacey Musgraves or early Taylor Swift will find themselves in familiar and comfortable territory, but the storytelling of Wolfe has a quiet fire unto itself. It's beautiful and devastating when the chorus swells, much like the sun dipping low over the boulevard. "Harbor Boulevard" doesn't just honor a memory; it breathes life back into it.

This is songwriting at its purest-personal, vulnerable, and unforgettable.

3. Robin James Hurt – “Hey Mary (Play a Song for Me)”

If ever there were a love letter to Dublin's soul, Robin James Hurt just wrote it. "Hey Mary (Play a Song for Me)" isn't just about a person; it's about a place, a mood, and a whole way of life. With its inspiration from Máire Begley, the street performer who made Grafton Street an open-air concert hall, Hurt serves up a tune that's as vibrant, cheeky, and alive as the city itself. The guitars sparkle, that 12-string shimmer pure magic; the drums bounce with Police-esque precision; and the melody just refuses to sit still-it's folk, it's pop, it's street-corner rock 'n' roll. Tony Floyd Kenna's lyrics strike the perfect balance between homage and celebration; never heavy-handed, just full of admiration. And as for Hurt's delivery? Effortless. You can practically feel the smile behind each and every line. But "Hey Mary" plays like a jam session caught in motion -- communal, fleeting, and full of joy. The kind of song that makes you wish you were there on Grafton Street, pint in hand, nodding along as Dublin sings back.

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LITM Rock Pick Scintillating tunes for the weekend brought to you by JAYA, Mark Griffin and The Pennydrops

LITM Rock Picks Tunes picks weekend tunes for you to jostle to, featuring JAYA, Mark Griffin and The Pennydrops!

1. JAYA – Rolling Stone

   "Rolling Stone" by JAYA is one of those tracks that don't just play; it moves. It's equal parts cool, confident, and softly reflective-the kind of song that hits you mid-scroll and has you double back just to listen again. It leans into a seamless contemporary pop production with just enough grit under the polish to give it character. JAYA's vocals glide effortlessly over the beat, expressive and melodic, laced with a quiet strength. There's an undeniable ease in the way she delivers her lines-like she's lived every word but just won't dramatise it. The production is crisp, the hooks clean, and its pacing keeps you locked in until the end. "Rolling Stone" is what motion sounds like: change, self-assuredness, and probably just a little chaos. JAYA cements herself as one to watch, crafting music that feels both modern and timelessly cool.

2. Mark Griffin – Taking Over My Mind
Mark Griffin's "Taking Over My Mind" is like sunshine in song form: warm, bright, and full of unexpected heart. Recorded at Fremantle's Sundown Studios with Elliot Smith at the helm, it's got that relaxed folk-country charm that just makes one want to roll the windows down and sing along, even when one doesn't know the words yet. The acoustic guitars sparkle, the rhythm skips forward with a spring in its step, and Griffin's vocals wrap it all up with sincerity that's impossible not to love. The lyrics speak to one of life's happiest surprises-meeting that forever person when one least expects it-and the music mirrors that same spontaneity. It's playful, earnest, full of gentle joy. There is something subtle, much like John Prine's simplicity, in the storytelling of Griffin-no frills, no pretence, just honesty and melody. "Taking Over My Mind" isn't trying to be clever; it's trying to be true, and that is exactly what makes it special.

3. The Pennydrops- Nightblindess
The Pennydrops' debut single, "Nightblindness," is that kind of folk anthem that crawls into your head and stays there for days. Clearly, the York duo Izzy Hartley and J.J. Chamberlain didn't come to play it safe-this six-minute gem changes between moods like a dream, shifting between shimmering harmony and grungy melancholy. It's a song about conflict-that restless tug-of-war between breaking free and staying where it's safe-and you feel that tension in every note. The guitars chime and brood, the percussion swells and retreats, and their voices weave together like threads in the same, bittersweet story. It's cinematic, too-part indie-folk confession, part slow-burning rock catharsis. By the time this chorus soars, you're all in on its world. "Nightblindness" proves The Pennydrops have vision beyond their years: heartfelt, unpredictable, and achingly human. If this is their first release, the future is looking pretty bright-even through the darkness.

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