“Hot Vax Summer, finally has an anthem!
AJ Smith drops this catchy track that at times reminded me of Jack White, and of Prince at others. This track is simply fun and energetic and well-written in a punny and ironic sort of way that works, because it mirrors the times we are in.
The world might not have known it needed a ‘Double Vaxxed’ Electro Pop song, but now that it’s here ... we clearly all needed this release. ”
“Claire Rosinkranz has created Indie Pop gold with ‘Hotel,’ her ode to secret rebellion.
This track perfectly captures the fun and excitement of sneaking off to explore and have fun with your friends on your own. It is the escape of family and the expectations that come with them, and simply letting loose and trying new things. Of finding your way in the world and navigating through the various pitfalls to arrive on the other side when you can smile and fondly recall the good times you are lucky to have survived. ”
“Titus Bank captures the emotional distress of a lover not as fully open and committed about your relationship as you are. The track has a tender Pop build and feel, with an emotional underscore that feels very real and vulnerable.
Making a comparison to another artist is not easy as I do hear subtle influences, but nothing that overshadows Bank’s own talent and spirit. This is a well-written track that hits ground not a lot of other music covers.”
“This track is short, though it is longer than the ‘One Minute’ of its title. Hauskey utilizes a catchy hook and a nice groove to quickly make his statement about the fakeness of many people upon first meeting them.
These so-called ‘new friends’ are quick to make promises they will never deliver upon, and this energetic ode calls bullshit in a most delightful way. ”
“Earnest and honest songwriting brought to life by emotional performances always have a leg up on the competition, and that is exactly what this track delivers. Travis James and Esteva team up on this duet of a couple that once was, but now is trying desperately to move on. However, cutting those bonds is tough and ‘Miss Those Days’ is a emotive, Indie Pop look at the struggle to find a new path. ”
“Trip Carter’s somes with a distinct raspy vocal style that emotes the light but direct attitude of this lyrical flow. He shares, ‘This song is about the feeling you get when you’re finally out of a bad situation. When you’re fresh out of jail, work, quarantine, or a toxic relationship, the energy is unmatched. You can finally breathe, blow off some steam and look forward to new possibilities.’
The track is a genre ender but comes with a steady easy groove that pulls you in and holds you there. ”
“George Eve pledges to ‘Never Let You Go’ which lyrically this declaration might come across as a bit stalkerish and creepy, if the track didn’t come with such a bouncy energy that at times feels like a Pop, Ska, Punk, Pop fusion that you didn’t know you needed until suddenly there it was in your face. This is a fun track to fall in on and simply cut loose. I can see this one becoming a singalong bar anthem that we all know the words to by heart.”
“Joel Ansett deliver the smooth vulnerable vocals and emotional vibes that define the singer/songwriter genre on his latest track, ‘Expectations.’ We have all wrestled with our expectations, and this track does an exemplary job of putting that struggle into a tangle song that is easy to fall in on and lose yourself in thought. ”
“Using her own vocals loops and layers, Jordana Taksy creates a big chorus feel with only her voice. And she manages to do so while maintain a light Pop airiness that sparkles and shines like bright sunshine on a dewy morning.
’Oh Yeah’ is about self-awareness a personal awakening and the song matches that vibe with its tone and production. ”
“Far too often our pasts are there to confront us. Be a memory or an actual sighting of the person that takes us back and leashes that floodgate. Here on this timeless track from Rightfield, the jolt arrives in the form of a ‘Birthday Party’ with the forced social awkwardness of encountering an ex for the first time.”
“If a classic, prohibition era speakeasy had a sound, this track would be it. ‘Seven Year Storm’ is a bluesy, jazzy, Indie rock ride through hard times and an IDGAF attitude. This offering isn’t as commercial sounding as much of the music we feature on LA on Lock, but something about the spirit of the song spoke to me.”
“For my money, the best Rock and Roll is born from anger and attitude. DEVORA offers up plenty of both in this ode to personal rage and frustration.
’Body Bag’ sounds like Sheryl Crow, if Sheryl Crow were pissed off and ready to start enacting revenge on all her enemies while teamed up with Rob Zombie to score the soundtrack. ”
“We have featured several tracks from Limón Limón and now the LA based duo is back with another new release. ‘Attention’ captured my interest with a bluesy folk melody and a set of vocals that emotes the strong emotion and passion of the writing every step of the way. The track has just a touch of a retro feel, but stays contemporary with the overall vibe and energy.”
“Young love is a theme often seen in music, but despite travelling that same road, nothing about Simone’s track feels cliche or stale. The emotions of ‘everything/nothing’ are up front and present, and oh-so-real, even if it has been years since that first young love of your life. You can feel this relationship unfold, and in that you have no choice but to think back on your own life.”
“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.”
“The video and lyrical build are paired perfectly here in this track from Alice Merton. The German songstress has captured the very essence of soul-crushing anxiety on her latest single, ‘Vertigo.’ The arrangement and progression increase in tempo to give the lister a jolt of adrenaline before the track settles into a surreal stretch that matches the up and down mood of being overwhelmed. ”
“The Satellite Station captures the fragility of being human on this track. ‘Only Human’ is a soft and tender ode to the struggles we all face. Delivered in a singer/songwriter vibe, the lyrics are emotional and reflective but also come with an underlying optimism and inspiration that feels invigorating as you listen. ”
“Straight forward honesty always works in art, and this well-written song certainly qualifies in every definition. Something about this hit me as Lorde meets Foster the People. Sure its a bit tough to categorize, but pigeon holes belong under pigeons and nowhere else. This song soared for me no matter how anyone wants to define it. ”
“Oscar and the Wolf brings a shimmering fusion of contemporary R&B and melancholy electro-pop straight out of Belgium. There are definite Drake and Weeknd vibes through there is an added softness that gives the this track a distant vulnerability that allows the emotions to land and dissolve into a smooth progression that keeps you invested in the mood of the piece. ”
“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.’”