In LITM Rock Picks this week, we feature energetic rock releases that traverse the vast spectrum of human emotions through gritty riffs, driving rhythms, and passionate vocal performances from artists HIROYA UEYAMA, Tom Elliot, Jason Lyles, Stefan West, and Strawflower.
HIROYA UEYAMA - おまえと考えた
HIROYA UEYAMA infuses his vibrant soundscapes with classic rock energy and heartfelt performance, a combination that reaches for your heart, even beyond the boundaries of language, and mainly through the medium of melody. In おまえと考えた, HIROYA UEYAMA injects the listener with optimism, hope and happiness, a much needed shot of goodness at a time when the world feels so gray and gloomy. The music comes alive with bright guitar riffs, lively rhythms, and the emotive vocal delivery. There is an authenticity and honesty to the sound, brought out by HIROYA’s sonic style, grounded in rock roots and embodying that spirit through a deeply personal and contemporary perspective, making the music a true and sincere expression of HIROYA UEYAMA’s creativity and character. It is a thoroughly enjoyable and joyful experience. Listen to おまえと考えた by HIROYA UEYAMA here!
Tom Elliot - Holy Ghost
Tom Elliot is here to give you a good dose of indie punk sounds with gripping tales and stirring tunes. In Holy Ghost, Tom Elliot weaves a poignant soundscape that is bursting with energy and emotion, gritty punk textures and rock tones. Buoyant drums, fuzzy riffs, and nonchalant vocals tell an interesting story with sincerity and passion. The driving rhythm, accompanied by the gritty ringing of guitar tunes animates the soundscape, giving you layers of sound to fall into. The singer’s voice, heavy and hazy, grounds us to the music while channeling the emotions explored in the lyrics. Tom Elliot’s brand of Indie punk packs a punch, both in terms of spirited tunes and sentimental themes in the music, staying rooted to the genre yet adding an authentic edge to the composition. Listen to Holy Ghost by Tom Elliot here!
Jason Lyles - Deflated
In Deflated, Jason Lyles endeavors to unravel the mystery of the human experience; the trials and tribulations, the storms and whirlwinds of emotions one endures, and the hope that there is light and joy at the end of the tunnel. The soundscape, a combination of emotive melodies and passionate performance, blends power pop, alt rock, indie pop, and Americana, in a way that is refreshingly unique and personal. There is an air of somber contemplation in the music with swirling undertones of dark melancholia and hopeful segues, giving us a soundscape that is alive and conscious, relaying feelings and messages to the listener. The distortion-soaked guitars, lush reverb-heavy ambiance, jangly strums, and emphatic drums form a rich backdrop, and atop this rests the singer’s voice, expressive and sincere, uttering each word with honesty. The finale is cinematic, giving a fitting end to a moving track. Listen to Deflated by Jason Lyles here!
Stefan West - Slow Down World
Slow Down World by Stefan West is a real, raw and relatable exploration of trying to keep up with life’s break-neck momentum in today’s world. It is an honest record, like a diary entry, of the frustrations, fatigue, and hopes that one harbors in living a life that does not match this racing speed of others lives. Stefan West delivers a masterful and sincere performance, blending indie, pop, punk, and folk rock elements to create a warm, upbeat, and inviting soundscape that lets you understand everyday human experience without the intensity and heaviness of it all weighing you down. Instead, the frank vocal expressions, bright guitar strums, reverberating riffs, spirited horns, and swinging rhythms lighten your heart and help you feel the story for what it is. Stefan West’s discography nudges us to look inwards, pay attention to the tiny things, feelings, and signs, and make sense of the grand picture, just like his music is a sum of whole, tiny exquisite sonic elements coming together to form a soul-stirring expansive soundscape. Listen to Slow Down World here!
Strawflower - Haunting of the Hollywood Hills
Los Angeles-based surf rock and psychedelic pop band, Strawflower is here to transport you into dreamy, vivid, and spirited sonic realms. Their ingenuity is in the wild imagination and bold experimentation that underlines their creations, and in Haunting of the Hollywood Hills, their latest release, you get to witness a stunning tale of haunted hills and mysterious rendezvous. Strawflower animate this story with fuzzy guitars, jangly solos, groovy drums, and ghostly vocals. The sweltering riffs, hazy voices, and saturated ambiance replicate the vibrant blur of a dream, distinct yet elusive, and therein lies the brilliance of the artist. The hooks are addictive, like a fantasy, one that you keep going back to and one that burrows itself in your mind. It is a highly entertaining and enthralling sonic experience. Listen to Haunting of the Hollywood Hills by Strawflower here!
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