Bringing together songs that are about stepping out of comfort zones, leaving spaces that don’t cater to you, and about living the nomadic life, this edition of LITM Singer-Songwriter Picks stretches across both familiar and unique experiences. The list features artists Leo Walrus, Sloan Treacy, Nathaniel Paul, and more.
Leo Walrus - Old Words, New Mess
Warm vocals pulling you into a zone of comfort and ease, ‘Old Words, New Mess’ by Leo Walrus feels like sitting nexting to a fireplace on a cold winter evening. Featuring a retro soft-rock sound and layered piano and guitar riffs, the song urges you to not be afraid of creating a mess as you venture into something new, making it one with an universal message. There is something deeply nostalgic about the tune with its soft layering of instrumentation and vocals which doesn’t overly energize you but instead calms your senses. Drawing you into its bubble of warmth, this song is meant to be your company on those slow evenings.
Sloan Treacy - The Good Part
A beautifully vulnerable song that will sink itself into your senses, ‘The Good Part’ by Sloan Treacy will remind you of everything you wanted to say but never could. The pace of the song slowly builds right from the first note, gradually bringing in and locking in a beautiful intensity. The song starts with the lyrics “How much longer will you run from help / Till the cycle breaks itself / And you end up right back where you were” bringing in the themes of trying to hold on to something at the cost of the people involved. There is an intimacy about the song that’s heightened by Treacy’s masterful vocals and you will find it hard to believe that she’s just 16 years old.
Nathaniel Paul - It’s All Blue
Bejeweled in its simplicity, Nathaniel Paul’s ‘It’s All Blue’ is sure to tug at your heartstrings the moment the song starts playing. There is a beautiful laid-backness to the song, and with Paul’s warm vocals it feels like sitting by a bonfire on a summer night. The song features the occasional touch of the harmonica which along with the simple guitar riffs, brings in a Bob Dylan sound to the song. The song is heavily rooted in the folk tradition, with its extremely minimal production and Paul’s raw, honest vocals. It is simply brilliant that it is a one-take recording and you will hear its brilliance for the entire 4:08 minutes that it plays.
Bryant Thomas - Settle Down
Blending electro-pop, blues, and soul, ‘Settle Down’ by Bryant Thomas will have you romanticising the quiet, simple life away from the eccentric big city life. Thomas’ raspy, powerful vocals along with the layered electronic beats and guitars brings in warmth as well as a groovy energy. The song is about finding the one who looks at you for the person you are and stays by your side through thick and thin – the one you want to settle down and build a family with. The song is filled with beautiful imagery that adds to the heartfelt nature of the song. This is a song you should note down and dance to in your kitchen with your partner.
Towse - Stay on the Road
Taking you into its warm country sound, Towse’s ‘Stay on the Road’ is a song that is filled with fun lyrics making it one that will surely lift your mood. Featuring vocals that feel like the wind in your hair, the song is the perfect song while you’re on the road. You are in for a beautiful storytelling experience with the song, with the song being about a couple who are chasing dreams while naming their car their home, making it a song with a unique theme. Rhythmically infectious, this song absolutely needs to be on your road trip playlists.
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