“Gabriel Black might be the ‘King of Nosebleeds,’ or he might be king of the Alt Pop Folk sound. Or the case can be made after this track that he is both at the same time.
This well-written track couples great writing with an emotive vocal performance that captures the sentiments to a tee. This song simply speaks to the soul.”
“Sometimes we find ourselves in a relationship more of convenience than true love and passion. And sometimes while stuck in such a staid relationship we come across that spark of life that lets us know the we need a change. ‘Girl of My Dreams’ is about such an encounter and the daydreaming that comes with such a discovery. ”
“Mia Mormino is no strangers to us here at LA on Lock as we have featured her work on several occasions. Along with stalwart vocal talent, Mormino brings emotion to the writing as well as the delivery. ‘Rapunzel’ deals with the envy we all feel when comparing ourselves to others be it in person or social media, and the stark honest writing coupled with the talent makes it easy to fall in on this track. ”
“From the very first word, Chris Murphy demands you listen to what he has to say on ‘Mr. Mister.’
Bluesy and direct, the vibe here is haunting and dark and oh-so-honest. Self-doubt can be a killer, but we all take those deep dives in sometimes. A track like this can make it easier by allowing us to see into the mind of another and realize we are all traveling the same rocky roads.”
“At only 18 years of age, Loi already has the vocal power to soar far above where most others are able to go. ‘I Follow’ is a big bold ballad type of song that has a Pink sort of vibe. This German talent is one to watch as she is just launching her career and if this track is any indication I expect it to be a long fruitful one.”
“I will always be a sucker for bare and honest songwriting that explores the psyche of our minds., because the vulnerability often is more intriguing than the swagger so much music goes for. ‘Red Flags’ from Lisa Heller is all about our own perceived weaknesses and the emotional turmoil they instill in us, and because both the writing and the performance shine, you can feel every bit of what Heller is putting out. ”
“Few things can mold and shape us like newfound love. None of us came through life unscathed, so we all carry some form of baggage into any relationship we enter. But true, honest love overcomes those things and often melds the past into something that we can better face and deal with.
This catchy, hook-driven track works off that premise, and we can feel the emotional momentum as it builds with the track. Lyrically, I did crave a bit more, but the emption and sound still come across in this track from Kory Shore. ”
“Lola Lennox has a new track that is the sugary perfect track for anyone that is forced to spend time apart from the one that they love.
’Wherever You Go’ is a glossy Pop track that lifts and soars and will no doubt be shared by long distance lovers all across this planet. Like her famous mother, Lola Lennox has the vocal chops to make just about anything song feel alive and emotional. ”
“Allowing yourself to fall completely in love comes with the risk that you could be hurt by that other person, and in the face of such vulnerability, we all struggle at times. Madissyn Gifford is able to distill those emotions into a tangible set of feelings on ‘Shapes and Shadows,’ a gloriously rising Pop track that relies on the vocals to carry the day. ”
“With ties to London, Brooklyn, and LA, Chríz Gabriel brings a smooth worldliness to his flow that gives his delivery a hook and edge even on a track like ‘Drip’ which on the surface is all about a clean tranquil vibe. Dig in deeper however, and the nuance of the writing adds a dimension than only a man like Gabriel is poised to unleash.
Fresh out of London, Chríz Gabriel is a man on a mission. With a talent birthed through LA culture and Brooklyn block parties, and a sound inspired by artists such as Little Simz, Lecrae and Drakeo the Ruler, Chriz is a melting pot of West coast sounds, catchy hooks, and intricate flows.
There is a hint of freestyle and stream-of-consciousness to the overall flow style, though the production and hook elevates ‘Drip’ to that next level and gives the track the added purpose to make it stand out from the fray. The video gives the viewer a glimpse of Gabriel’s personality and passion.”
“I was fully invested from the opening line. The vocal delivery spoke to me a great deal. I did struggle a bit with the melody of the chorus as it is strikingly close to Katy Perry’s “Part Of Me,’ and while I do love this track, the similarities between the two gave me an initial pause. The emotion of this track carried me through and that is what I am hanging my hat on here.”
“It’s the season where everyone wants to work out. ‘Hey Sexy’ is a single that motivates everyone to stretch and conquer their inner sexy. Real Shawp’s delivery is smoove as he gets interactive in the video as an aerobics instructor. The song isn’t fast nor is it slow and the beat has a tempo that keeps you interested. ”
“Life is a battle. We keep so much inside that our thoughts become a battle. Intrn and w00ds introduce us to a new single ‘I Deserve More’. It’s about having a revolution of wanting more and knowing you deserve more. The delivery is calm and the tempo stays the same but you are pulled in by the songwriting. We all deserve someone who loves us just as much as we love them. ”
“The world is full of them ... people we don’t like for a variety of reasons. ‘I Hate You’ is a tongue in cheek Pop track with a hearty dose of observation about the people who annoy us all.
Sara says on the track, ‘Peter and I were talking about how people will always say, ‘man, I hate that guy.’ So we wanted to figure out who ‘that guy’ was and write a song about how much we hate him. It turned into a very cool song about a very annoying person. I think you’ll hate him too.’”
“With a voice far more mature than her age, seventeen-year-old, Sophia Fracassi drops ‘Wish I Never Met,’ a deeply emotional track that feels tender and raw and entirely immersive. Big bold Pop vocals are the driving force, but the piano melody adds a nice layer and depth to the overall arrangement.”
“JESSIA utilizes her sharp vocal talent and smooth Pop style to deliver her body positive affirmations. ‘I’m Not Pretty’ utilizes catchy word play and a dazzling chorus to make the point that we all gotta be who we are, and chasing the rainbow of others is a utter waste of our time.”
“Dazy Chain is feeling ‘Cool’ and you will too when this track is playing in your ears. A nice blend of retro vibe and contemporary flow brings this track to life. The groove and verve of the chorus makes this one just settle down in your bones.”
“A nice melodic groove brings this track alive. Smooth and soulful like something between Bieber and Bruno, this Pop groove works well. The hook of the melody and the straightforward lyrical presentation lends themselves to joining in and singing along. Simply a fun, self-reflective track.”
“Hailing from Manchester,England, The France might confuse some with their moniker, but this British band don’t mind shaking convention.
’Forever Too Long’ is a love song built upon yearning, and many of us have been missing someone after a year of isolation so this intensely personal song, brings a decidedly broader relevance in today’s time. This is the kind of track shared by lovers forced to be apart, or by anyone who has a soft spot in their heart they can’t quite reach because of outside obstacles. ”
“Straddling that line behind a Commercial sound and Indie Folk, LA based group, Wax Owls, have that clean emotional delivery that hooks listeners across a wide spectrum of tastes. ‘By My Side’ is a nostalgic look at utopian childhood and simply makes you happy to listen. ”