“Jack West is one of those voices that hooks you quickly and efficiently without even appearing to try. Of course that is the art, making it appear effortless and easy when we all know only a small percentage of dreamers and schemers actually possess the ability to open their soul and let you see inside. ‘I realize’ is a track that you feel, as much as hear, and West is a voice you can’t turn away from. ”
“There is no dearth of musical talent in LA and now the band Nolea joins that fray with a an intelligent brand of introspections that is both chill and mentally provocative.
’Room’ is the kind of spacious song that allows the listen the rom they need to come to the emotion and lyrical build. There is an ethereal quality to the delivery and production dynamics here that simply allows you to freefall into the track.”
“Dover Lynn Fox delivers light, warmth, and hope with an rich tone that feels inviting and familiar. That alone is a talent and she brings these qualities to a set of well-written lyrics.
’When Youth Was Wasted’ is nostalgic and full of yearning for better times, for warmer times. This mirrors how we feel as winter settles in and those first buds of Spring begin to make us long for the coming summer. ”
“dEen Rain delivers an emotive and powerful performance on her single, ‘Closer.’ The track deals with grief and helping a friend make through to to the other side.
The vocal tone of this track makes you feel every word, and the build is engaging as the emotions are tangible in every line. The early sound feels almost like Americana, though the track transcends into more of a emotional Pop track halfway through.”
“Whitney Lyman has a sound that would have been a great fit back in the Lilith Fair days thought hat is not to say her emotional delivery isn’t welcome addition to today’s musical landscape. Strong writing and emotive vocals delivered in a clean and gripping tone is a timeless sound that fits in any era and Lyman delivers both here on ‘Floating.’ ”
“Estelle Dawn is very descriptive in her songwriting. The guitar strings build you up and the tempo gradually changes. The Indie Pop song has a dark delivery as Estella points out what makes a person crappy. The song is cute, dark, and direct.”
“BOY LOCO delivers a nice, smooth track that emotes a nostalgic brand of reminiscences and motivates your heart to open up and feel. For me the track has a hint of regret, stemming from doubt that maybe the narrator did not hold onto the relationship the way they should have. Or perhaps there was a loss that ended things. Of course others may take this track as more of a post date type euphoria in that the singer simply cannot wait to get back together with their person for some slow dancing.”
“This track is about regret and love. Often, regrets over love come from not taking that shot, but this track is about not breaking up with you know the relationship is not for you. It is about the regret of fighting for something you don’t even want in the first place.
Cece Benz has artfully written every word to give this track a literary story feel that not many songwriters can pull off as effectively as ‘End Us’ does.
The great writing here makes the listener personally invested right form the beginning.”
“Bex deliver the kind of vocal power and emotiveness that is rare individually but all the more so when found in tandem.
’Did I Do Something Wrong?’ offers a slow emotional build and conjured imagery all on its own. This lends the track a theatrical bent that cannot be ignored but here the drama does not feel manufactured simply real and genuine.
The track has a modern Stevie Nicks vibe and could have been a Fleetwood Mac track back in the day but that is not to say it feels dated or even particularly retro. More like timeless in this case. ”
“The synth heavy intro and overall arrangement lends this track an 80’s vibe though the vocal edge and emotions feel decidedly contemporary. Eleven Point Two is the creative name for a pair of talented brothers originally from Michigan but now working out of the LA area.
THe track has that timeless sound that only Rock music can really find and the writing is sharp so each listen unveils a new nuance to ponder. ”
“The track has that light energetic vibe of artists such as One Republic or Mumford & Sons. There is a Folksy brand of Pop to the sound that is uplifting in nature. The gist of ‘Find My Way’ is about living your best life and taking the opportunities as they come because you never truly know wha tthe future entails.”
“Winter is a time of darkness both literallya nd figuratively with seasonal depression gripping many. But all dark times pass and Dover Lynn Fox gives a track of transition to take us fromt he dark bleakness to a time of light and understanding with her track ‘Winter Son.’
The emotive vocals soar and carryt he emotional burden of a lifetime as well as a season of darkness, but in the end this track is one of hope and brightness.”
“Limandi put her spin on toxic relationships with her track, ‘Put The Blame On Me.’
Emotional abuse comes in many forms and constantly blaming the other person is certainly one of those. Told anything often enough you just might start to believe it and shaking off that cloak of self-loathing can be tough. This exotic and intricate arrangement matches the sort of disarray or minds mist go through to emerge on the other side a new and stronger person.
Limandi delivers this track in a sort of subdued control that sells the emotions well. There are Pop and songwriter vibes with hints of a brooding brand of dark Folk as well but the song is a tough one to categorize as anything beyond a talented worthy effort well worth your time.”
“The talking in the beginning builds you up and gives you an idea of what to expect. Cris Streetz “Switchin Sides” is about people being down with you but then changing their ways. The Shi Goonie feature allows listeners to get a good perspective from both male and female. The beat is a vibe and the songwriting and hook is relatable. ”
“There are solid gold people and then there are the ‘Gold Plated’ among us that can but on a thin veneer for a short time before the truth beings to show through. Lauren Woo lifts the veil on these fakers with her new track which was inspired by wisdom gained from her grandmother.
Lauren Woo shared, ‘This song is a tribute to my incredible grandmother, a woman whose wisdom has been a guiding light in my life. She once told me that in life, you’ll encounter people who are ‘gold plated’ and not solid gold. It’s not always obvious, and you’ll experience highs and lows where true colors are revealed. In those moments, it’s crucial to stand firm in your morals and recognize when it’s okay to let go of relationships that aren’t meant to be.’
The overall sound is a melancholic Pop vibe with a slight theatrical edge.”
“Mary Middlefield has that deep bottomless kind of emotive voice that hooks a listener without theattrics or tricks. Like a deep inviting pool of cool blue water on a hot summer day, you can’t help but want to jump right in.
”Atlantis’ is a quiet, yet powerful track with well-written lyrics and the straightforward delivery of a confident songwriter. ”
“Newport is fast becoming one of my favorite contributors to LA on Lock. This is the second track we’ve featured and the emotive vocal delivery gripped me early on. The erratic beat and cadence is a perfect match to the lyrical build and emotions of the track, showcasing how deliberate and talented Newport is.
I’ll call this Alt Po for lack of a clear genre, but you’ll call it a great new find when you add it to your own playlists.”
“The track is a story in itself, and really paints a picture. Starting slow, Mia Humphrey makes you feel every word and once the track takes an energetic shift it feels light and Pop-esque, but still there is that undertone of emotion lifting the track above the fray.
’Newport’ is a story of a relationship that takes an unexpected turn. I won’t spoil the fun by saying more but the twist is a surprise and makes a great metaphor for how life goes. ”
“Aria Ohlsson has that kind of emotive delivery that instantly pulls in listeners. Here in her track, “Someone Else’ Ohlsson reflects on love and the her personal experiences that have shaped who she is. I did at times wish for less production and a bit more straightforward delivery to better feel the emotions, but it is a solid track as is. ”
“Ever wonder what Jimmy Buffet would sound like as an Australian Pop Folk singer?
Okay, probably not, because that is a bit out there. However, that was my first thought while listening to Bree Rusev’s new track, ‘Summer Memories.’
Rusev is in no way derivative of Buffett, or even similar in style, though both are selling the same laid-back beach vibes and they do so with talent and emotion, the way few can.”