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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This week's LITM Pop Picks shows off pop music as a powerful vehicle for emotional expression featuring artists like Grant Brown, DEWAR, Christian Dolan and others

In this edition of LITM Pop Picks, embark on diverse musical journeys through love, liberation, self-discovery and more with artists Grant Brown, DEWAR, Alexa Villa, Taylor Ravenna and Christian Dolan.

Grant Brown - Low

"Low" by Grant Brown is a refreshing love ballad that delicately navigates the allure of new romance. The music unfolds with a graceful dance of moving melodies, guided by a slow-rising rhythm that builds into a euphoric swell of ambient tunes. The song grows in intensity until the very end, where the listener is met with a gently grounding acoustic guitar section, ending on a refreshing note. Grant Brown's vocals, rich and resonant akin to Sam Smith, passionately convey lyrics exploring the immersive experience of love. The song delves into the intense desire to savor every moment with a beloved, all while maintaining a discreet romance away from prying eyes. "Low" emerges as a captivating and beautifully nuanced ode to new love.

DEWAR - Influence

“Influence” by Scottish musician DEWAR is a powerful rock-pop fusion track, characterized by looping guitar riffs, bold bass rhythms, and surging melodies. The singer's powerful vocals, delivered with genuine passion, elevate the music, particularly in the soaring vocal melodies that encapsulates the angst and state of being overwhelmed by the strong hold of a lover. Exploring the profound force of attraction, the track delves into the vulnerability of succumbing to immense influence. It's a weighty, validating anthem resonating with those suffering such a fate. However, amidst the intensity, there's a subtle undercurrent—a desire for liberation from the captivating hold, a plea to break free from an influence that lacks legitimacy. “Influence” is a musically rich exploration of love's captivating yet tumultuous dynamics.

Alexa Villa - MySpace

"MySpace" by Alexa Villa is a nostalgic nod to the punk-pop sounds of the 2000s, with a fresh, contemporary touch, evoking memories of Avril Lavigne and channeling Olivia Rodrigo's spirit. Villa's arrangement skillfully incorporates wobbly piano melodies, vibrant guitar riffs, acoustic tones, robust basslines, and driving drums. Her vocals, at times textured and distorted, infuse vitality into the track. Beyond its musical gravity, the song explores themes of self-acceptance, urging listeners to embrace their journey and love every facet of themselves. In a world grappling with imposter syndrome and self-esteem issues, "MySpace" becomes a powerful anthem, proudly chanting a self-love slogan that goes like this– “trying to love this place, my body, my mind, my space”.

Taylor Ravenna - Taking My Luv

"Taking My Luv" by Taylor Ravenna immerses listeners in a dark and foreboding soundscape. With evident EDM influences in the texture and tonality of the musical ambience, this song transports the listener to a deeply emotional world that the artist has constructed. The track’s melancholic yet reassuring chorus stands out, while looping vocal melodies and heavily distorted tones intensify the emotional tension as the song progresses. Ravenna takes the audience by the hand, guiding them through a somber narrative of gaining strength through adversity. The lyrics portray a fearless individual unafraid of dark places, navigating challenges with an open heart. Ravenna artfully captures the emotional turbulence of navigating tumultuous relationships.

Christian Dolan - A Memory and Your Versace

"A Memory and Your Versace" by Boston-based musician Christian Dolan featuring Cole Blundin is a pop phenomena, pulsating with the energy, reminiscent of music from Troye Sivan and Harry Styles. The track boasts ethereal distorted melodies, pulsing drums, and noodly electronic sounds, creating a sonic experience that mirrors the feelings of euphoria that infect your being, after a tantalizing romance. The singer’s hazy voice adds glittery pops of emotion to the song, morphing into a bright swaying aurora as the vocal harmonies emerge. Lyrically, the song narrates the story of an intense, joyous chance encounter that is not bound to last long, just like meteors, which lights up the sky briefly, leaving only invisible dust. Despite the fleeting nature, the memory lingers, capturing the beauty of something transient, much like the song itself—a vivid portrayal of the ephemeral nature of love.

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