“Katelyn Tarver is an accomplished singer/songwriter that deserves far more accolades than she has received thus far.
’Hurt Like That’ is yet another feather in her quiver of talented tracks and both the performance and the writing sparkle here. Give this track a listen, then take a deep dive into Tarver’s library and discover the wonders that awaits you.”
“Seventeen year old AJA comes with with emphatic energy and verve on the new track, “Better Off Without You.’ The attitude wins the day here in this ode to breaking free from toxic people.
AJA is a young talent but her age does not diminish the power or substance so keep an ye and an ear on this rising talent for years to come. And be sure to add this track to your playlists to call up anytime you are feeling fierce and determined to exorcise the idiots from your own life. ”
“Super producer, Stark teams up with Soul singer, Kestra to bring ‘Your Sweet Power’ to life. Riding a funky bassline, the track sweeps you up and into the lyrical build. We’ve all had that teacher or mentor that we can hear whispering to us even when they are nowhere around and this song captures that power in a soulful groove that is easy to sway along with and connect on a deeper level as well. ”
“This track is not quite as warbling as Biz Markie’s famous track, but ‘Fool 4 U’ has that same fun vibe and groove that is easy to connect with. The piano drives the beat and the fun vocal arrnangement sweeps you along on this song about knowing the person is bad for you and having a hard time breaking away just the same. ”
Do you ever need someone? Cali’s Francisco Martin delivers a nostalgic track in his new single "If U Need Me". With the light strings of the guitar he gives reasons why you may need someone but reassures then they are not alone and can always reach out. He explores the neighborhood as a reflective perspective.
“There is a heartfelt beauty to Jeffrey James’ track, ‘In The Back Of My Mind.’
Speaking on the inspiration that led to the track, Jeffrey says, ‘For better for worse, the people we chose to pair up with forever impact who we are moving forward. There are a small handful of women I’ve dated that will always hold a place in my heart. It’s not love. It’s a bond and an influence that I’ll forever be grateful for.’
I felt this sentiment and connected tom the motion of the track and that is what good music is all about. ”
“Fast-rising Amsterdam-based producer/songwriter, problem solved, and US vocalist, Reo Cragun, have dropped their incredible new collaboration, ‘Go Right Now.’ The track delivers a nice energy, as well as strong writing and a production to bring everything to life.
The varied sounds and styles blend well here, and while they do make this one tough to categorize genre wise, they also make it engaging and unique in that this track doesn’t sound exactly like half the other songs already out there.”
“Staying calm, cool, and collected, in the midst of a first date is no easy feat, and AJ Smith deliver the emotions of those anxious moments with sheer brilliance on this track. ‘Cooler’ is about trying to shake off the mental trappings and insecurities to better connect with the person that has caught your attention. This single certainly captivates and demands attention with its clever structure and emotive delivery. ”
“This emotive track falls somewhere between an emotional singer/songwriter vibe and an Electro Pop energy ready to erupt. Written about the mental health struggles of the singer’s father, the track could certainly be interpreted in other way as well and in that versatility the talent of both the writing and the performance comes alive. I felt every word and held on in eager anticipation to see how the track would build and progress. ”
“GAYLE offers this stripped down FU to a former boyfriend, and while the track starts subtle enough, it soon tromps straight to the point in calling out the hypocrisy and lies behind a bad breakup.
’abcdefu’ offers both clever word play and the directness to make the point with stark clarity. The vocal tone is intriguing and laden with the proper emotion to make such a track truly come alive. ”
“A different kind of break up song that will make you smile, but also nod along if you’ve even been there in that situation of watching a relationship dissipate.
LA band, An Adolescent Tragedy has a decided West Coast sound that has enough of a Punk vibe to be categorized that way, but still brings a bit of the 90s sound to the mix to make the track have a Commercial feel as well.”
“Austrian duo, dreaming of Cali, might be wishing they were on a beach here in California, but they are certainly not wasting their lamentations. Their latest track, ‘fed up,’ offers a nice mix of wistful wanting and emotional resonance and the production helps to bring out both with a genre bending sound that falls between commercial pop, and a low key EDM style arrangement that holds you with its tempting build.”
“David Rasmussen and The Companions team on this heartfelt single that lands square in the feels department. ‘Lost Or Gone’ is the type of song that speaks directly to the center of your soul.
The performance is timeless and pure, and is impossible not to feel if you truly take the time to listen and appreciate the emotions laid bare in the most genuine and honest way.”
“Annie of the Canyon is not a stranger to LA on Lock readers, but if you have missed her previous features here on the blog it is never to discover her emotive and tender vocals. There is a mysterious allure to her tone and the emotion of her writing and delivery never fails to engage the deeper senses of my psyche. Like a modern Stevie Nicks, Annie of the Canyon has that odd combination of fierce determination and soft vulnerability that is both alluring and inviting. ”
“I hear a lot of songs about anxiety, so it is very tough to hit that theme and stand out, but Darragh Chaplin was able to do exactly that with the single, ‘Honestly.’
The writing dives into the mental dynamics of envying others for their so-called ‘normalcy,’ and losing who you are as you try desperately to emulate the societal norms. The delivery has talent and passion and you can feel the struggle in a way that makes the track very relatable no matter if you suffer from anxiety or not.”
“This world is full of stereotypes. However, Elle Baez is living her truth and showing her beauty. Surrounded about so many other beautiful women like her they are living free of stereotypes. Life is about having fun and not being anyone’s snow white with tight jeans. ”
“We all want to break free from life choices. In Nate Fenn’s new single “Cashier” it is about wanting to be more than your hometown. Everyone want’s a different outlet or a plan to get them out of where they are. The song has a relaxed tempo but allows you to vibe with it.”
“Sometimes we try to escape from the memories but the memories are still in our head. Liam O’Brien’s new song “US” is about not wanting to think about someone but there are triggers. Triggers that have you thinking of them. Using a fan to represent the song is pure classic. Most fans spend time in their room singing anyway.”
“Leah Kate is anything but a ‘Shit Show,’ but that does not stop her from regaling about the chaos of a wild and fun night. Or poking a little fun at herself and state of affairs she often finds herself in.
The track is pure Pop gold and the energy and vocal talent makes it easy to fall in and connect with the fun. All of our lives digress into that shit show scenario from time to time so it is easy to buy in and sing along with this one.”
“This track has a light, almost bubblegum feel and I wanted to dismiss it early on for that reason, but the vocal talent shines and that held my attention until I realized that the writing is actually wryly sharp and pointed.
That combination makes this song infectious in all the best ways, and I stayed leaning in to hear what she would say next all the way through. I can see why all of Gwyn Love’s exes would keep hitting her up, because she has that extra it factor that is hard to let go of.”