In this edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks, we curate three sublime compositions from artists Ian Roland, John Gusdon, and Josh Jensen.
Ian Roland - Lodestone
Ian Roland’s soundscape takes shape through the fusion of heartfelt instrumentation and personal lyricism, both of which are absorbing and affecting. In Lodestone, Ian Roland’s roots-pop sensibilities soar, featuring a grand, evocative musical backdrop, emotive vocals, and moving themes. The bright, crisp notes of acoustic guitars usher in blissful tunes, joined by the glistening, ethereal notes of piano. The lush, warm strums and the vocal harmonies blend seamlessly to form a lush atmosphere that is as soothing as it is stirring. The singer’s voice, mature and expressive, decorates the music with passionate, sincere melodies. The abundant, ornate soundscape uplifts and rouses your spirit. It has a glorious afterglow that lingers long after the song ends. Listen to Lodestone by Ian Roland here!
John Gusdon - Madness
John Gusdon navigates the turbulent waters of heartbreak, grief, and longing in latest release, Madness. The striking guitars emote as sincerely and openly as the singer’s heavy vocals. The vivid notes of the acoustic guitar soaked in melancholy, the reverb-drenched reflective ambiance, and the gentle breeze of percussion merges into an immersive, plaintive sound that draws you in. The music soars in intensity with gritty riffs, rolling drums, and impassioned vocals as the song progresses, illustrating the narrator’s own journey down the spiral of angst, loss, and rumination over failed romance. The emotional quotients are high, and the music presents this fateful tale with achingly beautiful honesty and vulnerability. With country, folk influences gleaming through the music, the song is also underlined by soft pop highlights. John Gusdon’s performance is arresting and heart-rending. Listen to Madness by John Gusdon here!
Josh Jensen - Wanderlust Highway
Singer-songwriter Josh Jensen unifies his eclectic palette of musical influences into unique, exquisite soundscapes that feature a range of sonic textures, intricate arrangements, and riveting themes. Wanderlust Highway featuring Alex Capron, is the push you need to leave your world behind and head for the open road. The bluesy guitars, the dazzling keys, and the slow groove sets a contemplative mood interjected by bouts of enthusiasm and hopefulness. The pronounced emotionality of the vocals- the dramatic declarations, soft confessions, and charismatic expressions, grips your attention. The lyricism is poetic, personal, and open, evoking a desire to explore the world, cross new horizons, and navigate varying seasons. Just when you think the music has offered it all, you are swept away by dreamy, velvety waves of saxophone melodies. In the ebb and flow of the music, you find yourself blissfully lost and consumed. Listen to Wanderlust Highway by Josh Jensen featuring Alex Capron here!
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