In this edition of LITM Rock Picks, we bring hypnotic grooves, dark narratives, musical vulnerability, addictive hooks and more featuring artists Poppy Roscoe, Amnesiak, Vogue Villains, Onemac Project and Lauren Glick.
Poppy Roscoe - Highway Blur
"Highway Blur" from Poppy Roscoe's album "Sea Fortune and the Desert Rats" is a musical trip through the haze of introspection. The art rock track infused with psychedelic sounds echoes the hypnotic grooves of greats like The Doors and Pink Floyd. The song starts softly, embracing you with comforting rhythms and guitar riffs that evolve into a kaleidoscope of swirling synthesizer solo and intensified instrumentations. Roscoe's vocals, dripping with reverb, mirror the fogginess of one’s headspace when lost deep in the existential questions on identity and life choices. As part of a concept album chronicling the adventures of three desert rats, "Highway Blur" is a mesmerizing pitstop.
Amnesiak - Harm’s Way
"Harm's Way" by Amnesiak, an alternative rock band with a penchant for dark narratives, unfolds a chilling tale of murder, despair and unjust loss. The deliberate tempo and melancholic melody establish an ominous atmosphere, heightened by reverb-drenched guitars and driving drumbeats. The ethereal yet haunting vocals convey a profound sense of pain and deepen the sense of foreboding. Filled with vivid imagery, the lyrics portray a life that is unfairly taken away by the darkness that lurks in the shadows of human nature. “Harm’s Way” is part of Amnesiak’s self-titled EP, and showcases the band’s ability to capture raw, intense emotions within the realm of dark rock.
Vogue Villains - Pretty Gorgeous
"Pretty Gorgeous" by Vogue Villains, a Canadian alt-rock outfit, confronts struggles with self-love and acceptance with stark vulnerability in the song’s lyrics, especially in lines like “Take off the mask when you look in the mirror”. The track begins with slow-tempo beats, featuring granular raw vocals and solitary keys setting an intimate and personal tone allowing the listener to settle into the heavy lyrical theme. As the chorus comes on, the song’s tonality transforms with jangly melodies, melancholic driving guitar riffs, and a resonant drum beat. The design remains so, until the guitar solo emerges, its riffs reminiscent of an outcry against inner turmoil. The gloomy yet provocative atmosphere created by Vogue Villains sets them apart, for their bold instrumentation and thematic depth in the alt-rock landscape.
Onemac project - A Million Ways To Kill a Love
Onemac Project, presents "A Million Ways to Kill a Love," featuring Erik Sjøholm, the Ireland-based duo's sonic exploration of love's fragility. The track kicks off with an addictive hook that refuses to ghost your mind. The singer's vocals, deep and husky, waltz with a reserved slow-tempo jazzy beat. As the song progresses, Onemac Project unleash artful instrumentation, with layered harmonies, echoing keys, and quivering tunes leaving you with an unforgettable sound that loops away in the back of your head. The next time you're caught up in love's allure, don't say you weren't warned.
Lauren Glick - Set Me Free
Lauren Glick's "Set Me Free" is a nostalgic fusion of rock and blues from the Maryland-based singer-songwriter. The track speaks to breaking free from toxic love, embracing self-confidence. Glick's emotionally rich voice, forged through experience, gracefully delivers the empowering lyrics. The composition is elevated by upbeat yet powerful percussion, melodic guitars, and an overall optimistic atmosphere. "Set Me Free" is Glick's unapologetic declaration of resilience and liberation.
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