“Coming with a classic Folk sound, both vocally and in the melody, Mamie Minch gives us a ‘Fortified Wine.’ There is a bit of Woody Guthrie woven through this track and because there is a bit of Woody in so many artists from the genre you can trace this sound to many other contemporary Folk artists. That said, Minch’s husky vocals and emotive style rises above the fray to deliver a truly engaging single.”
“Written about, and for, his mother-in-law, Cory Taylor Cox takes what many would dismiss as the mundane and turns it into an extraordinaire ode to a life well spent. The love and dedication, and determination shine through, and the vocal talent brings all of those assessments as well as a spirit to the track, making the songwriting shine as much as the performance.”
“Is Commercial Folk a thing? If it is Emily Drinker is taking a big sip from that fountain, because while there are definite Pop sensibilities within the arrangement, Drinker’s overall vocal tone feels folksy and energetic with hints of blues and jazz coming through at times. The build and progression are engaging, and I was on the hook all the way through. ”
“How can you not get down with the philosophy of ‘Don’t Give Me Problems, Give me Wine?’
The tone here is engaging and straightforward. BabyJake emotes the passion behind the lyrics in this track that feels almost Cosmic Cowboy in nature. A hint of Folk, a jolt of Rock, a splash of that 70s Alt Country vibe and this track simply oozes with coolness.”
“Sometimes songs speak for themselves. The melody, the lyrics, the emotive vocals. ‘It Was Ever So’ is such a song.
Written about the fire-fighters who lost their jobs when the oldest fire station in London was shuttered by Boris Johnson, the track is the first single from Our Man In The Field’s next album due out September 2020.”
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
“Becky Krill is summer vibing with this track that opens with a nostalgic, folksy feel before slipping into more of an Electro Pop groove as it progresses.
’Alive in the Summertime’ offers a light energy of optimism in a world that often feels pessimistic these days. I did find myself wishing the track had another verse to keep the good feelings going a bit longer.”
“Corey Quinn Farrell gives us this poetic Folk song that feels as much like literature, as it does a song. The cello and guitar melody add a layer of emotion that compliments the heartfelt lyrics.
’Melancholy Lullaby’ is a fond remembrance of a love that has drifted apart and the nostalgic refrain carries a tinge of sad melancholy, but also offers a kindness in its recollections that makes the track feel sweet and tender.”
“Like any kind of high we find in this world, be they artificial, chemical, or purely natural ... like falling in love, what goes up must eventually come down.
’Clean Slate’ explores the emotions of that arc. The euphoria of getting swept up and feeling like the world is sunshine and rainbows and the realization that once that bliss wears off a bit you are still much the same, but that is not to say you can’t acknowledge and do your best to erase the things you want to let go of in order to embrace the possibilities ahead.”
“Bending and contorting ourselves is something we all tend to do, but bend too damn far and you’ll lose who you are. This bluesy take on the traditional California Folk style is deceivingly well-crafted and insightful. There is a light airy tone to this scintillating track, though the punch of these lyrics hits hard if you let ‘em. ”
“Love and lust are tricky things, and if you are not careful, the chase is what you come to crave more than the actual act of being with someone.
Lenkie is a 17 year old South African artist living in New York City, and here she gives us track that feels wise beyond her years. Dark and brooding and intuitive, the mood feels as dangerous as the girl mentioned in “Trouble.””
“Rett Madison has invited you deep into her psyche and personal vault of memories and emotions. Invite really isn’t a strong enough word, as she has more welcomed you with open arms thanks to her immense talent. The lyrics wrap around you tight and her emotive vocal performance offers the same level of warmth and understanding. All of that is possible because through sheer honest sharing, she has giving us a track with a strong relevance for us all. ”
“The ability to make a listener truly feel the emotions of what you are singing is a gift, and Ben Labat shares that gift with his latest single, ‘Born to Cross Lines.’ A little Folk, a little soul, and a whole lot of talent are at the heart of the track. that pulls you in and holds you with a smooth melody and vocals that simply feel right and natural. This is the kind of emotion that comes from a life spent living forward and the hard earned wisdom is a gift for all that truly stop and focus on the lyrics and performance. ”
“Writing up a personal narrative, and tying it to something more so that it feels personally relevant for others is not easy chore, but S.G. Goodman has done so with ‘Red Bird Morning.’ Written about her time at the Standing Rock Protest the track feels both personally evocative, and intimately inviting. Like an old friend opening the screen door with a steaming cup of coffee in hand, and asking you in for a cup. The vocals are soft and yet ragged at the edges, and in them, is empathy, emotion and a knowledge you can’t help but crave more of. ”
“Dylan, Guthrie, Petty, Isbell. Elements of these great songwriters, and others, come through in the vulnerable raw lyrics of Ryan Cassata. The melody too has been created to covey the inner thoughts of this talented artist.
Sure the masters of the craft have influenced Cassata, but I would be remiss not to proclaim the individuality as well. ‘Catcher in the Rye’ is a song about falling in love after a traumatic past filled with violent hate crimes and bullying in Cassata’s conservative hometown on Long Island. Cassatta explained more by saying ‘In this music video, I go back to my hometown (Bay Shore, NY) and visit some of the places that hurt me the most as a young queer/trans person.’
The video is bleak in the gray tones, but in the words there is a hope, a spirit that is part defiant and part relief, a sense of I’ve survived and now it is my time to thrive.
This recording was done live, without embellishments or retakes and this fact only adds to artistry as we listen to a true songwriter bare their soul. ”
“Folk Funk is how I’d describe this track from Brazilian Johnny Franco. Franco now calls Portland home and you can hear influences ranging from the Beetles to Dylan, to the Shakey Graves in his sound.
’Tell Me Something’ is the kind of single that just takes over and forces you to sing along and move. it is the kind of song that you will be singing the rest of the day.
Franco is having a good time on this track, and you will too while listening. ”
“Unleashing the vibe of Edgar Allen Poe, meshed with the musical talent comparable to any Pop Diva, the sister duo of CocoRosie has created a gloriously macabre sound with ‘Burning Down the House.’
This is not cookie cutter music and could frighten the more delicate looking for mindless music to rhythmically tap the steering wheel to while stuck in traffic. This is twisted and bendy and artistic, the perfect soundtrack for all of us looking to dance in the embers of convention.”
“Spirited defiance is at the forefront of the lyrics behind Cormac Looby’s single, ‘I Don’t Need Your Love.” This track is one of those genre bending songs that is tricky to pin down in a few words. Both in genre and in energy. A lively tempo with a decided Irish flair, the single certainly brings influence from the streets of Galway where Looby honed his craft busking, but there is a marked Pop vibe as well that hints at a Rock and Roll heritage. This is a fun little anthem that sticks with you.”
Website: cormaclooby.com
Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/1UQmrMGtH1xpyS1Sknvocl
Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/artist/cormac-looby/1499440483
All other Platforms - distrokid.com/hyperfollow/cormaclooby/i-dont-need-your-love
“The attitude here is what is so captivating. The lyrics, written from the heart, are belted out without a care in the world, and the result simply feels like an artist having fun by saying exactly what is on their mind without regard to getting every note perfect, or creating a flawless performance. This is music from the heart and it spoke to mine.
Sound wise, it feels like the Country Rock that came out of California in the 70’s,. Something in in the vein of Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers with a modern flair.”
“Freedom Fry are one of my favorite discoveries since joining LA on Lock as a reviewer. They often surprise me and this track is no different.
’West Coast’ delivers nice harmonies over the top of a classic California sound, and lyrically the track is sharp and twisty, in the way that Freedom Fry’s lyrics usually are. As you listen, the emotion permeates the air and warms you like the golden rays of a setting sun. There is both hope and trepidation here, and that so perfectly captures the feelings of chasing a dream.”
“This is an honest, simple song that comes alive do to the true to life lyrics and emotion of the performance.
A nice guitar melody brings it all out. I grew up in Texas and have attended more than one dance at the VFW and I’ve see many a man that this track could have been written about. These men are not obvious heroes to a stranger’s eyes but this song is about the kind of characters that define huge swaths of what this country is.
I will finish by saying this song delivers a realness and a spirit that modern contemporary Country Music rarely does. Call this Folk or American if you will because it does not fit commercial Country these days, but it is straightforward good music. Guy Clark would be proud.”