This edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks brings resonant releases from artists Mark Vennis & Different Place, Blake Jeanis, Vemalo, Block, and Robert McGinty.
Mark Vennis & Different Place - Solid Ground
Mark Veniis & Different Place, famed for the raw emotion and biting commentaries in their songs, offer genre-pushing, affecting soundscapes in their “Sunrise E.P.” A striking single from the EP, “Solid Ground” transforms their energetic and emotive rock sound into a roots-tinged bluesy atmosphere, which is laden with glowing electric guitars, galloping drum rhythms, and expressive vocals. The message is loud and clear—the natural world is dying and we caused it. The singer’s passionate vocal performance paired with the stirring instrumentation—slick solos, reflective riffs, thumping drums—drives this realization home with fervor and sincerity, leaving you with a hard-to-forget, thought-provoking listening experience. Check it out here!
Blake Jeanis - Not Just a Dream
Blake Jeanis, a Houston-based artist, transports you into a luminous, lush, and love-filled soundscape in “Not Just a Dream.” The dreamy ambiance forms through radiant atmospheric melodies, warm guitar motifs, glistening keys, and a steady rhythm. Stirring string sections soar and fall gracefully, adding to the mesmeric beauty of the music. The ethereal, mellow soundscape envelops you in its tender embrace, as feelings of love, admiration, and bliss soothingly wash over you. Blake’s soft, sincere vocal melodies bring the heartwarming lyrics to life, while infusing the music with a sense of grounding serenity and joy that comes from knowing you’ve found the love of your life. “Not Just a Dream” leaves you smitten. Listen here!
Vemalo - Hesitate
Formed in London, the band Vemalo features Vedantha (vocals, guitar), Matthew (guitar, bass) and Louis (keys). Their debut single, “Hesitate” is an achingly beautiful and moving reflection on absent love. The soundscape, in its stripped-back instrumentation, holds as much emotional weight in its silent spaces as it does in its affecting melodies. The tender piano notes dot the music with melancholic melodies, supporting the delicate yet commanding vocals of the singer. Seeped in emotion—grief, yearning, rumination, and hope—the vocals are heart-wrenching as well as soothingly soul-stirring. As the song unravels, a pulsing percussion emerges alongside atmospheric spreads, ethereal harmonies, shimmery notes, and celestial chords, filling the music with a sense of cathartic release. “Hesitate” is masterfully crafted and earnestly performed, making it linger in your heart long after the music ends. Listen here!
Block - It Never Happened
A pioneer and driving force of the anti-folk genre, Block, revives his groundbreaking, genre-defying sound through a series of deluxe-edition re-releases, remastered by Blake Morgan (Lenny Kravitz, Janita, Lesley Gore). “It Never Happened” is a gripping single from the album “The Greene Street Sessions (Deluxe Edition).” Its folk-rock atmosphere is as invigorating as it is intriguing, effortlessly flowing between power-packed rock interludes and warmth. Reflective guitars open the song alongside emotive vocal melodies. The slow and contemplative start swiftly transforms into a driving passage with thumping drums, passionate riffs, and ear-catching vocals. The rich, distortion-soaked guitars propel the music, fueled by the energetic drum beats, and expressive vocal melodies. Before you realize, the sound carries you in its compelling currents, taking you on a rewarding, riveting sonic experience. Listen here!
Robert McGinty - Reflections
Blending the traditional with the modern, Robert McGinty’s alchemy results in classical music that reveres the past while staying deeply personal. With deep emotional roots, the music is colored in shades of melancholy as well as tints of uplifting positivity, offering an expansive and evocative listening experience. “Reflections,” the latest release, offers a healing tranquility and brightness, transporting you to an ethereal realm. The melodies reflect a shine and sweetness that is delightful, filling you with joy and energy. Playful yet poised, the melodies flow between highs and lows elegantly while exuding a lightness and ease that is disarming and soothing. The masterful instrumentation through its understated intricacy reflects Robert McGinty’s musical and imaginative brilliance. Listen here!
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