Singles Spotlight:
Ladybug –
“You Can’t”

Hello reader,

How are you?

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Today I’m happy to have the opportunity to shed light on another deserving musician based in Toronto, Canada. Oliver LaMantia has a project called Ladybug that you should be listening to.

He says it best in his bio: “Ladybug (Oliver LaMantia) is a folk-alternative musician and producer based in Toronto, Canada. His songs move like short stories—unfolding rather than repeating. Grounded in acoustic instruments, they sometimes swell into moments of glittering electronics or settle into ambient soundscapes. Live, they shift into something more intimate and unguarded, shaped by the room. Moving between familiarity and the unexpected, Ladybug’s music makes its own world, with its own rules that welcome you in.”

Recently I was introduced to LaMantia’s work via his new self-titled debut album under the Ladybug moniker. While listening and taking notes for myself as I commonly do with new music, I realized at least one of these songs should be featured on the SWT site as part of this fantastic Singles Spotlight series. I narrowed it down to two songs, but ultimately chose “You Can’t” as I believe that it fits best not only as an intro to this project but also to the Ladybug album. The song is anchored more by its melody than by the vocals. “You Can’t” starts with some plucking and percussive noise for not one but both of your ears before Ladybug’s first vocals are delivered with a relatively sweet yet haunting quality because of the chosen elongated word delivery style. It works, I think, especially in the fall, in crafting the desired vibe. That said, it doesn’t fit a Horror film soundtrack, but it’s halfway there for me. When you listen, what do you think?  The song will work and intrigue its listeners year-round regardless. The guitar work and percussion that serve as the foundation of this song continue, even getting some solo moments to stand out.

But don’t just take my word for it. Press play, take a listen to “You Can’t,” and tell us what you think:

Take a look at the cover art for Ladybug:

The track list for the self-titled Ladybug album:

1. Pass the Bread (2:39)
2. Three Loved Ones (3:06)
3. Afternoon (3:56)
4. holyholy (1:24)
5. For You (3:09)
6. High Prairie (5:43)
7. You Can’t (2:01)
8. Why Do I Wait (3:48)
9. You, Me & ANOHNI (4:47)
10. Stop Waiting (3:23)

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com