Atwood Magazine is thrilled to present our Editor’s Picks column, penned and curated by Editor-in-Chief Mitch Mosk. Each week, Mitch will highlight a selection of songs, albums, and artists that have captured his attention, heart, and spirit. With an abundance of amazing music waiting to be explored, all we need is an open mind and a readiness to listen. Through our Editor’s Picks, we aim to illuminate our musical discoveries and feature a wide variety of fresh and recent releases.
This week's Editor’s Picks includes Louie Blue, Isaia Huron, Bec Lauder, Dear Boy, GUTHRIE, and Arno Sacco!
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**“In the Dark” by Louie Blue**
Louie Blue's haunting “In the Dark” radiates with a feverish intensity – a restless longing that resonates in his voice, exudes through his guitar, and lingers in each mesmerizing groove. The track is both raw and luminous, sharp and soulful; its edges sparkle with the authenticity of truth and the pang of heartbreak. It feels both delicate and unwavering, encapsulating a two-and-a-half-minute confrontation with a love that has soured, intimacy turned to cruelty, and the twisted ways in which passion can morph into pain. As dark as it is brutally stunning, “In the Dark” is catchy, cathartic, and entirely engulfing – a bruised-heart anthem that resonates with the body while weighing heavy on the soul. This is Louie Blue in his most daring form, transforming chaos into a track you can't resist replaying.
This track, taken from Louie Blue's recently released third album *Blood & Bones*, highlights a darker and more tumultuous side of the 22-year-old Finnish-Swedish-Italian artist. A truly DIY endeavor, *Blood & Bones* was entirely crafted by Blue himself over four solitary years of experimentation, discovery, and transformation. While much of the album explores tranquility, spirituality, and intimate introspection, “In the Dark” stands out as one of its most explosive moments – a fiery outlier born not from quiet reflection, but from cinematic inspiration. These darker themes provide a foundation for the album's broader spectrum of personal musings grounded in a tangible, real-world assessment.
“I was inspired by the movie *I, Tonya*,” Blue explains to Atwood Magazine. “I felt deeply touched by the film, and wanted to express the themes of betrayal and desensitization to abuse.” This weight cuts through the song's bright, rhythmic facade. “In the Dark” unfolds like a groove-driven confession, its smooth veneer concealing the underlying violence and turbulence. The lyrics express both yearning and grief – “Just give me a reason / why won’t you hold me like you used to in the dark,” Blue laments, his voice a subdued vessel of heartache and tumult – yet they also reveal the harshness of communication turned physical: “Throwing me against the wall, it's the only way you know how to communicate.” It’s a chilling contrast, desire entwined with harm.
Blue also approaches this tension sonically, creating a sound that merges the organic with the ambient, glimmering yet raw – a style best described as unfiltered soul. “I focused on analog textures and an earthy production style,” he clarifies. “Everything was recorded on tape with live instruments and vintage techniques. I wanted the sound to feel warm and imperfect – an antidote to today’s overly polished pop.”
The outcome is mesmerizing: Shimmering riffs, a relentless pulsing bass line, and a vocal style that flows like smoke, combining confession and catharsis. Blue's guitar work shines through a mix of riffs and sustained notes, while his voice becomes an instrument itself, stretching syllables and bending melodies to evoke the deepest feelings. The result is captivating, reminiscent of the bold experimentation found in artists like Mk.gee, Dijon, and Bon Iver – kindred spirits in their willingness to challenge musical boundaries and merge indie, soul, and alternative elements.
“I didn’t pursue formulas; I embraced unpredictability and risk,” Blue remarks. “This is music that reflects who I am, not who I’m expected to be. It’s bold, sincere, and vibrant. I wanted to create music that sounds like music again.”
He positions “In the Dark” as a vital outpouring against the broader calm of *Blood & Bones*: “This is one of those songs I needed to express. Like a beast that, if kept inside, could impact those around you.” That necessity permeates every note, the track's groove carrying an undercurrent of volatility and liberation.
Although the subject matter is heavy, Blue hopes listeners will find strength in it: “I hope people will enjoy it and recognize how absurd we can be at times. I aspire for it to empower them.”
“In the Dark” ultimately
Selected by Mitch Mosk, this week's Editor's Picks showcases tracks from Louie Blue, Isaia Huron, Bec Lauder, Dear Boy, GUTHRIE, and Arno Sacco!