“We have spent a lot of time in isolation this past year and the emotional toll is undeniable. Anja Kotar has distilled much of those feelings into a beautiful Pop song. ‘Alone Together’ captures the rise and fall of emotions and the sort of sweeping uncertainty that has been covering us all. ”
“Dezabel comes in smooth but allows anyone listening to be engaged. ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait No More’ is Electro Pop meets RnB. He speaks on how he is becoming impatient with anticipation. I like how a female’s vocals was introduced after the two mark to give a strong feeling of emotion. ”
Swiss songwriter and producer Dezabel kicks off 2021 with his latest single 'I don't wanna wait no more'. Blending analog and electronic elements, Dezabel sets the scene for this emotive, yet hooky track. With a more than ever relevant message about friendship, the lyrics reflect a feeling that the world over can relate to. Irish singer Calvin Biasi takes the lead vocal role with his powerful and unique tone, with further layers coming from the incredibly talented American based singer Jazelle Paris making 'I don't wanna wait no more' a song that will be echoing in your head from the first listen.
“Ella Collier releases ‘Crush’ just in time for Valentine’s Day, and no doubt this one will be shared by hopeful couples this weekend and beyond.
Light and airy in the best possible way, this Electro Pop track captures the euphoria and hope of falling for someone. This is the kind of single that will have you singing along before you know it.”
“Purely intoxicating! Maude Latour offers up her latest single, ‘Walk Backwards’ which is rich and bubbly and and altogether inebriating in the very best ways. Poppy, but without a hint of bubblegum, the track deals with the blurred lines of love, friendship, and romanticism in bold and direct ways.
The song has a voyeuristic feel with a nice groove that makes it impossible not to stay thirsty on.”
“The best Pop music is able to say something and covey real emotion without sacrificing the catchy hook and energetic vibe. ‘Happy’ was written specifically about the unburdening elation and confusion of waking up without the fear and anxiety of hiding. Sarah Barrios created the track about the coming out experience, and it is certainly powerful in understanding that dynamic for those of us on the other side who have never lived through such an experience. That said this track also has a broader appeal for any of us that are emerging from beneath fear or darkness of any kind.”
“With a theatrical build and a slow vocal build, ‘Ritual’ is the combined effort of Parisian duo Adrien & Thibault who are known together as Digitalz. The track unfolds like a well written Electro Pop story with the music and production conveying as much emotion as the lyrics and vocal performance. ”
“New York-based singer-songwriter and rising artist Brianna Marie kicks off her 2021 with brand-new single “Haunting You”. An exquisitely addictive song, it showcases Brianna’s empowered attitude, bold lyricism and stunning vocals, ensuring she is one to watch in 2021.
I like the sound of suspense snippet in the beginning. Then as her vocals come in she gives us a dramatic yet pop delivery. Brianna Marie’s new single ‘Haunting You’ is about feelings that exist whether or not you are near the person. She tends to describe her feelings and is curious to know if the feelings are mutual.”
“Haunting You” also reveals an extremely appealing theatrical component to Brianna’s sound; it’s very anthemic and orchestral, which isn’t typical to pop and helps her to stand apart from other artists in the genre. With “Haunting You” setting the tone for Brianna’s 2021 in a major way, we’re anticipating a great year ahead for her, and we can’t wait to see what else she has in store.”
“Amanda Ayala has had successful runs on NBC’s, ‘The Voice’ as well as Prime’s, ‘Who Will Rock You?’ Now the talented vocalist is belting out her emotion on a new single, ‘Hooked.’ This big Electro Pop track has a dark undercurrent that brings enough grit to keep the listener leaning in. ”
“SZNS deliver unflinching attitude and allure that wraps around you and refuses to let go. I could attempt to describe the intent behind this Electro Pop track, but instead I’ll turn it over to a direct quote from the band —
’Behave’ is for every girl who’s been told to act like a lady: to sit up straight, be polite, to let the grown ups talk. Our entire lives we’ve been told that we’re ‘doing too much’ or acting ‘too intense’ - Behave is about being unapologetic, and taking up the space you deserve, despite what anyone else might say. If being demure and soft-spoken is good behavior, then I guess we never learned how to behave. ~SZNS”
“Since 2013 Dance Yourself Clean has spent nearly every single weekend throwing parties across North America. With the pandemic the boys have turned their entire focus onto the party’s transformation into a juggernaut music project. In the first full year since the project was created, 2020 brought in over 2.3 million streams on Spotify alone.
With their new single ‘Sugar’ set to release on NYE at 12am EST it looks like they’re setting the scene for what may be a massive year of releases and collaborations.
DYC had this to say about ‘Sugar’, “Normally we’d be spending NYE with our friends and DYC family somewhere... Maybe Los Angeles at Teragram Ballroom or NYC at Baby’s All Right. It kills us that we won’t be able to be together this year celebrating. Setting “Sugar’s” release date for midnight on the east coast and 9pm on the west coast is our way of being together with our DYC family across the nation. It may seem silly, but it means something to us and hopefully them too.”
Happy New Year from us here at LA on Lock as well! Thanks for joining us this year and we look forward to bring you more great music in 2021!”
“Platinum-certified artist and producer Dillon Francis releases a remix of ‘Be Somebody’ featuring Evie Irie and it is spot on perfect. The vibe comes through in the build and progression, and is intensified with a nicely compiled video created from footage gained from the artists mom. The track is simply a vibe that works and pulls you in as you listen.”
“Isanna infuses her performance with an angsty form of passion that hints at both anger and frustration, but feels oh so real on this track.
’Business’ is about trying to stay grounded and focused amid the chase of trying to carve your place in the world. Quote from Isanna: ‘Business is a kind of refuge amidst the chaos and clout-chasing of the music industry. At the time of writing it, I felt myself getting swayed by the smoke and mirrors of the business, and the song felt like a way to bring myself back down to earth, and to the people who keep me sane, for example, my brother and manager Alex. The track is a reminder to protect your energy and keep moving forward, no matter what’s happening around you.’”
“Coming in with an alluring beat and vocal style, Tessa Violet is doing a bit of ‘Wishful Drinking’ on her latest single. The track first found life as part of a Tik Tok challenge, and is now ready to go beyond the realm of social media and mesmerize us all with its snake charm like sound of intoxication. ”
“Maella is back with a seductress of a single that feels like the whisper of a lover in your ear. Smooth vocals and an alluring groove keep you leaning in on the progression of this Indie/Electro Pop ode to the excitement of meeting that someone new that quickens your heart and lowers your inhibitions. ‘Downtown’ is where you will want to be after listening to this track.”
“Rick Miller drops a new single, ‘Atmosphere’ which is the kind of track that simply feels right for the moment. The big Future Bass production offers hope and encouragement in for what many is a dark time. The build and progression offer reassurance without resorting to any sort of cheap gimmicks, just a steady determination that mirrors what we all need right now.”
“Written while in a toxic relationship, ‘violent’ offers a stripped down delivery that expresses the strained emotion of trying to hold it all together despite the underlying anger, rage, and frustration. carolesdaughter adds to the mix of emotions with the imagery of the video, and though this track on its surface remains steady and rather placid in its delivery and arrangement, the festering feelings are very tangible as you listen.”
“This is a track that shakes up the norms. Coming almost with a medley like vibe of shifting styles and delivery tones, Suspect Ed is tough to classify in any one genre. There is a definite Hip-Hop flow that works well, but the track also offers a nice 80’s style vocal hook that feels nostalgic, while also managing to come across as a modern Pop arrangement. Through multiple listens, I remained on the hook for this ‘First Class’ trip. ”
“HAYL definlety taps into some of the same attitude and defiant confidence that has worked so well for Taylor Swift. ‘I Will’ is a declaration of independence delivered in a talented vocal build that holds the listener and keeps you leaning in to hear what comes next.
I suspect this is a track that will ring even louder for the ladies, but no matter your POV, the talent shines bold and bright. ”
“Coming with a bit of nostalgia in the writing, this is an Electro Pop ode to the memories we all have. Those bits of ourselves that linger long past the innocence of youth and the awkward uncertainty we fell in the presence of those we were and are attracted to.”
“Some songs win you over simply by feeling real and genuine. Dawson Gamble’s latest, ‘What You Don’t Know’ is one of them.
Starting out soft and vulnerable, the well-written lyrics hook you with their authenticity before the track insiifies and layers in a bit more of a Rock/Pop sound to go with the early singer/songwriter vibe. Though in truth, genre is less important than the erstwhile emotions on a track like this.”