In this edition of LITM Rock Picks, we curate eclectic soundscapes that move your soul, stir your senses, and arrest your attention from artists ettie, Shady Oaks, Alan Mair, The Margaret Hooligans, and The Graft.
ettie - Last Best Lover
London-based musician ettie takes us into an intricate world of queer love, mid-20s angst, and existential fear through her refreshing pop-punk tunes and honest lyricism. In Last Best Lover, her latest alt-rock anthem on gay love, we get to experience an upbeat and passionate rock composition with all the modern pop sensibilities. It is gritty, emotional, and vibrant, much like the romance and she encapsulates these feelings in the music with charming ease. Fuzzy riffs, driving drums, and warm basslines bring a riveting boldness to the sound, reminiscent of music from Avril Lavigne, Paramore, and early ’00s rock. Her tuneful vocals animates the music with life and character, taking the experience up a notch. ettie reinvents these familiar styles with a quintessentially unique and personal style of songwriting which makes her music intriguing and memorable. Listen to Laste Best Lover by ettie here!
Shady Oaks - Best Thing
Denver-based Shady Oaks bring you an intoxicating shot of bluesy-rock in Best Thing. They leave you no option but to indulge in the rock fervor, soak up all the delectable distortion and frenzy in the instrumentation, and reel in the passion and theatrics in the vocals. It is a rousing experience, the music is decorated with resounding riffs, blazing solos, warm strings, and a groovy tempo, resulting in a composition that consumes your spirit with its rock n’ roll atmosphere. Twangy guitars, saturated percussion textures, and evocative vocals culminate in a climatic finale, giving a fitting end to the thrilling track. In Best Thing, Shady Oaks showcase their remarkable musical evolution and prowess, taking listeners along their introspective artistic journey. Listen to Best Thing by Shady Oaks here!
Alan Mair - If I Gave The World A Turn
Alain Mair is back with a sensational ballad titled If I Gave The World A Turn. The legendary musician treats us to a rousing and sublime soundscape and uplifting lyricism. The track is about the vagaries of human life and explores the idea of being able to rewrite one’s life story. With an alternative rock personality, the music comes alive with vibrant string sections, soaring riffs, and emphatic drumming. All of the varied sonic textures meld into a majestic and moving musical backdrop and atop this structure sits the emotive vocals. With every word, Alan Mair infuses the music with passion and vitality, echoing the emotional intensity of the lyrics. A deeply sentimental and relatable song, If I Gave The World A Turn cements Alan Mair’s discography as one of the best, with its rich and soulful sonic design. Check out the highly imaginative music video here!
The Margaret Hooligans - Royal Octopus Canal
We are no strangers to the sonic exuberance of The Margaret Hooligans and they never fail to amuse. In their latest release, Royal Octopus Canal, we get a highly energetic and vivid soundscape that is bustling with distortion-soaked riffs, stunning rhythms, and boisterous vocal performances. The most striking feature of this track is the morphing percussion and its varying textures, forming slow-moving patterns and yet seamlessly growing into fervent fast-paced thumps, giving you one of the most dynamic beat structures you have ever heard. The fuzzy backdrop is undercut by the sharp and rebellious vocals narrating the story of a breakup, with burning passion, rage, and enthusiasm. It is riveting and raucous, arresting your senses from the first to the last notes. Listen to Royal Octopus Canal by The Margaret Hooligans.
The Graft - Superman
The Graft bring us a stunning cocktail of rock styles that instantly appeals to and intrigues your senses, in Superman. The music has the charm of the 60s yet embodies an indie rock spirit with all the modern sensibilities. A thumping rhythm flows in tandem with irresistibly catchy riffs, and just as this melody burrows itself into your mind, warm heavy basslines emerge providing a cushiony backdrop for the raw and passionate vocals to rest on. There is an air of enigma and romance to the soundscape, in twangy reverberating guitar tunes, vocal harmonies, and wah-ing solos. The lead singer’s vocals are honest and unpretentious, bringing a stylish charm to the music. The Graft truly immerse you in the mosaic instrumentation, with new textures and tones emerging unexpectedly like clues in a mystery. Listen to Superman by The Graft here!
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