LITM Rock picks tunes featuring Hans Halstead, TE/MO, ArtfulFrankArthur, The Backlash and Lena Romul.
Hans Halstead - Six Feet Under
Hans Halstead's "Six Feet Under" is a desolately melancholic journey to the core of the self. Its sparse composition of acoustic guitar, cello dirge, and muted hints of drums creates an atmosphere of sorrowful wandering in a misty wood. Halstead's gravelly, raw vocals provide poignancy to the heartbreaking lyrics which struggle with death and remembrance. The chorus lingers in your mind, almost like an echo of unresolved emotions. What makes "Six Feet Under" stand out is its ability to be eerie yet comforting, like staring into the abyss and finding a strange solace. For fans of Nick Cave or Leonard Cohen, this dark folk gem will strike a chord that resonates long after the final note fades.
2. TE/MO: 4:15 (i’ll dance)
"4:15 (I'll Dance)" by TE/MO is a shimmering synth-pop paradise that encourages you to get lost in its not-to-be-ignored beat. Constructed upon throbbing beats, glinting synths, and relentlessly hooky hooks, the song exudes nightlife energy. TE/MO's vocalizations are silky-smooth and sensual, providing lyrics of freedom and uniqueness with a strain of yearning. The bridge brings the pace down just so to allow the emotion to penetrate, before erupting into a euphoric danceable finish. It's a song that would be just as comfortable in neon-lit clubs and your earbuds at a solo dance party. "4:15 (I'll Dance)" is unapologetically playful, and all it takes is sometimes a beat and a moment to lose yourself.
3. ArtfulFrankArthur - Reflection
ArtfulFrankArthur's "Reflection" is a sincere alternative rock ballad that sounds like a musical diary entry. The song begins with a sombre guitar riff, establishing the contemplative mood of its introspective lyrics. Arthur's voice is infused with vulnerability, reading words that search for identity, remorse, and pardon. The chorus erupts with emotional intensity, aided by propulsive percussion and layered instrumentation that come together in a release that reaches its climax. There is a gut-level honesty in the delivery that makes you not be able to help but latch onto the music. "Reflection" is an emotional and sonic one that is ideal for those times when you're in the mood to get down inside your head and come out the other end feeling clear.
4. The Backlash - Anemone
The Backlash's "Anemone" is a swirling shoegaze epic that wraps the listener in a wall of sound. Reverb-drenched gritty guitars blend with ethereal vocals to create an otherworldly, intense, dreamy mood. The rhythm section is relentless, propelling the song with a living, feral-sounding beat. The lyrics are mysterious, like the pieces of a multicoloured dream that won't coalesce, contributing to the song's dreamy beauty. It's retro and contemporary, and that's why it would appeal to Ride or My Bloody Valentine fans. With dreamy textures and unapologetic ferocity, "Anemone" is an audio ride you won't be able to get off.
5. Lena Romul - Masz na imię dźwięk
Lena Romul's "Masz na imię dźwięk" is a stunning foray into the realm of the avant-garde, with experimental jazz merging with poetic flair. The title of the song is well suited to its personality—each beat and note feels like a breathing, living person. Romul's ethereal voice threads itself through unorthodox instrumentation, from clashing piano chords to saxophone improvisations that float free, making for a sound that is difficult and entrancing. The Polish lyrics provide a further layer of mystery, and the music with a feeling of longing and intimacy. It's not a song that you listen to while sitting back; it commands your complete focus and rewards you in abundance with an experience as mentally challenging as it is affectively engaging.
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