This edition of LITM Rock Picks brings fresh energy, uplifting themes, and absorbing textures from artists 2Digh4, Sheykh Forever, Mardi Gras, Bupkis, and Guri Yeller.
2Digh4 - What a Good Life
2Digh4 (pronounced Two Die Four) from Fuquay-Varina, NC is a country-rock-pop band bringing timeless, memorable soundscapes that make you feel like you’ve always been a fan of their music. The latest release, What a Good Life, inspires and uplifts your spirit. The empowering lyricism evokes a sense of appreciation and gratefulness for life, urging you to take life by the reins, live to the fullest and look for beauty, blessings, and brightness in all things despite the dark days. The music is brimming with light and passion–the warm and radiant guitar riffs diffuse a bubbling sense of hope and infectious energy, the upbeat, driving drum rhythms usher in a sense of immediacy to the sound, the kind that makes you want to snap out of a rut, and the singer’s invigorating vocal performance ties it all together, amplifying the wonder in the music and message. What a Good Life is a must listen to help you set the right intentions for the new year! Listen here!
Sheykh Forever - Run for cover
Sheykh Forever’s music is the kind that never really leaves you, once you’ve been struck by it. Like an eternal spell, it lingers somewhere in the depths of your mind, ready to bewitch you when invoked. Principal performer, Iraqi-born Mostafa Al, along with a brilliant bunch of collaborators, brings to life ornate, captivating soundscapes that fuse smooth disco, raw heavy-rock, potent funk, and hypnagogic indie-pop, creating a sound you cannot help but surrender to. The latest release, Run for cover, featuring artists Louella JC and Daniela, mesmerically waltzes between the familiar and futuristic. The soundscape in its magical minimalism, allows each element to have its moment, the instruments and vocals designed and placed in a way that lets them shine off of each other’s glow. Groovy, gentle drum beats cushion booming, silky bass notes. Jangly, luminous riffs and ethereal, lush harmonies fill the sound with color and emotion. The singer’s delicate, dreamy vocal melodies wrap around you like skin, organic and enveloping. Run for cover is an exquisite earworm. Listen here!
Mardi Gras - The Dance Of The Sand
Mardi Gras, a Rome-based rock act, weave protest, poetry, and prayers into their unique soundscapes- each release is genre-bending, extraordinary, and evocative. Their wealthy and wide musical influences coupled with meaningful storytelling ensures that every song resonates on some deep, personal level with the listener. With international acclaim, collaborations with iconic artists, and renowned live performances, the band is guaranteed to enthrall. The single, The Dance Of The Sand, is the opening track of their recent album, Sandcastle. The music is dark, emotionally-charged, and dramatic. The slow, melancholic opening with haunting piano notes, vivid guitar strums, and emotive vocal melodies sets a brooding, wistful tone. This musical atmosphere gradually builds into an impassioned display of powerful, poignant feelings through swelling string sections, gritty riffs, thunderous drums, and a commanding vocal performance. The sound and story is rousing. This is a song that will completely consume your senses. Listen here!
Bupkis - Howitis
Queensland-based Bupkis is the musical project of Jonathan Blumberg. The artist blends folk, acoustic, and rock influences to create a sound that not just feels rare, raw and riveting but also speaks to the heart through the sincere stories it carries. Inspired by artists like The Mountain Goats, Cold War Kids, Simon & Garfunkel, Pixies, MF DOOM, Outkast and Kate Bush, Bupkis' sonic atmospheres feel special. Howitis is a single from the album Tarantella. The introspective and descriptive lyricism in the song highlights Bupkis’ focus on writing and storytelling that resonates. The music is crafted in a way that it caters to the honest and heartfelt narration of the story- a raw, unpolished feel permeates the music creating a sense of intimacy with the story and the narrator. The folksy acoustic guitar melodies cascade intricately with an almost whimsical fragility and warmth. As the thumping drums and earthy bass enter, the music finds anchoring in an urgent rhythm. Translucent veils of gritty, dissonant textures envelop the sound adding intriguing textures. The off-kilter yet emotive vocals dot the music with affecting, catchy tunes. Howitis is as fresh as it is familiar. Listen here!
Guri Yeller - Seeing Double
Guri Yeller brings an immersive, mesmeric, and otherworldly sound in their single, Seeing Double. Formed by multi-instrumentalists Harry Paterson and Matthew Banton, Guri Yeller is a psych rock band. In this song, the band crafts a synth-forward, indie-tinged psychedelic rock sound. From the first moment, each lone synth melody that emerges, invites you to venture deeper into the music. The song unfolds, slowly and then all at once, the initial singular notes merging into the next in a hypnotising, winding melodic path. The sophisticated, shuffling groove of the drums adds an arresting dynamism to the otherwise dreamy, dark, and diffusive musical atmosphere. The vocal melodies, fragile and haunting, like phantoms in the night, glide effortlessly and ethereally over the soundscape, letting out ghostly, soul-stirring melodic calls. The transcendent ebb and flow of the music and the seamless convergence of each layer into the other reflects masterful design that is meant to enchant. Listen here!
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