“A thumping bass line leads the charge on this bluesy track from Caleb Mills. From Robert Johnson onward the lure of selling your soul to achieve your dreams has been tossed about, but this track puts a nice little groove pop rhythm with that refrain. Here the lyrics are more about sacrificing all else for a shot than they are a true deal with the devil.”
“This track incorporates a bit of a 50’s do wop vibe into a modern Indie Rock/ Americana sound, making it feel as if the single could be a hit across many different decades.
A slow dance track with soul and introspection behind it. You certainly will not be saying ‘What A Shame’ after giving this latest single from Hollyy a thoughtful listen.
Hollyy is an up and coming alternative soul band from Chicago.”
“If you are a fan of Jack White’s quirky genius and energetic diverse melodies you will love Kip Macklejar’s single ‘Alligator Swamp Monster.’
Banging drums, keys, and a flair of the eccentric highlight the sound on this track that at times brought forth thoughts of Beck as well as the White Stripes. A fun, Indie Rock song to get your blood pumping. ”
“ARSADI unleashes a musical daydream with, ‘If You Were Mine,’ a track detailing the vivid imagination of a future based upon nothing more than the sight of a complete stranger.
Sometimes the sight of a person speaks to us and we play such a movie in our minds. The vocal style fits that dreamy vibe and the melody is soft and engaging. There is a definite Coldplay aura to this single, and the energy builds as the track progresses to keep you immersed in the lyrics and performance ”
“A Punk ballad of heartbreak that is so perfectly constructed you feel every emotion. I am not talking one emotion, but the full range that your mind and heart goes through post breakup.
The vocals remain true to the Punk sound and sensibilities, while melodically the track delivers a variety of sounds to achieve this impact. Each layer brings its own set of feelings and blended together, this track feels both simple and complex. Just like any true ‘Heartbreak.’”
“Taylor Bradshaw has one of those voices that can go soft and emotional, or can ratchet up and hook you with an energetic Rock vibe. Bradshaw utilizes both on ‘Our First Date,’ to bring forth that flash bulb feeling of self revelation when you realize you are about to be madly in love with a person you barely even know. The emotions of being on that precipice and deciding to step off into an unknown come through in both the performance and the lyrics”
“I do love me some good word play, and anything that makes me rethink and reexamine common words and phrases. We have all ran from more than one thing, but we don’t often take the time to slow down and even realize how much running we are doing.
This song was written about that inexplicable need to run when chasing your dreams, and how if you slow down you might get consumed, but really the words hold a much broader appeal once you begin to consider them from varied angels..
i will confess that at first listen the almost 80’s video game sound of the beat and melody had me distracted, but on subsequent goes, it found the sound hit me as the perfectly odd choice to accompany this well-written track.”
“In a lot of ways, this track feels like a punked-out, anxiety-filled version of Sheryl Crow’s classic rock diary ‘All I Wanan Do.’
LPX is the high-octane alternative solo project of Lizzy Plapinger, and ‘New Mood’ is in her own words a ... ‘visceral take fueled by a post panic adrenaline rush, it’s an anthem for change and breaking habits, committing to yourself and wanting more.’
The track is Pop Punk, Rock, and Alternative all in one.
It is raw emotion and energy and truth.
It is music from the heart soul and body.
It is a track you need to listen to . Not once. But may times over. ”
LPX on tour:
4.12 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen
4.14 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen
4.15 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen
4.16 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen
4.18 - Houston, TX @ Revention Center w/ Maggie Rogers
4.20 - San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theater w/ Maggie Rogers
4.21 - Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theater w/ Maggie Rogers
“No doubt about it ... Life will kick you square in the balls sometimes.
That is what this Rock song is about, or more accurately, it is about how you handle those defeats that will come your way. The vocal performance is quite engaging and the melody brings a nice acoustic rock ballad feel. The imagery of the video captures the spirit behind the single quite well, as the band takes a great deal of punishment in delivering their message.”
“We have all been in that position where we have to play something off as if we don’t really give a damn. Especially in matters of the heart, when we put ourselves out there only to get denied. Gran Cavallo has captured that mood with a nice Rock vibe. The staccato tempo brings out the emotion of the lyrics nicely here. Sort of an Anti Valentines vibe to this one that will no doubt speak to many people on this day, as well as many others.”
“This track puts into words the vibe many a dude has been faced with after falling in love. None of us set out to become a ‘Sad Corny Fuck,’ but when those emotions stat to boil up and out of us, that is what happens.
This tracks was produced by recent GRAMMY darling FINNEAS, and it does carry the same emotional impact that his work with Billie Eilish, but JP SAXE’s masterful vocals carry the day here and I can’t wait to hear more music from SAXE.”
“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.”
“Some bands just have that sound. The Exits are such a band.
What is that sound?
Well, its a blend of all those who have paved the way before, and a unique boldness that rings loud and true. It is the Rock and Roll spirit.
Rebellious and lively, and captivating. ‘Double Crosser’ brings that entire vibe to your ears with an energetic arrangement, and a set of lyrics that tell the story of a distrustful couple as their relationship implodes. The soaring vocals hint at Punk and Pop and the track is one that buzzes around your skull. ”
“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 track delivers that smooth, almost snakelike Alternative Rock rhythm that Nirvana made famous. here that vocal style comes slithering in over the top of a bluesy beat.
Lyrically, the song details a doomed relationship that was meant to be casual, in the friends with benefits kind of way, but those situations never last long, because invariably one party catches THE FEELS. And we all know once the feels come out, there will soon be a cosmic train wreck that derails what was only meant to be a steady hook up.
Call it commentary of today’s dating world if you must. But what matters here is the single has genuine heart and emotion along with a talented retro vibe. Check out this rock solid single from The Mayblues. ”
“Inspired by a storytelling acquaintance in New Orleans, ‘Five Days A Week and Twice on Sunday’ is a bluesy Alternative Rock single about the power and definitive feelings love inspires in us all. The track captures the desperate need and want quite well all with a soulful groove that shines through the beat and melody.
Grand Am has given a track that pulls you in and hooks you with both emotion, and a hint of funk behind their Rock and Roll sound. ”
“Jumping right in with the opening line ... ‘Raise your middle finger, gotta let them know,’ COUNTERFEIT. wastes no time bringing energy and passion to their latest single ‘11:44.’
The track came to me labeled as Indie Rock, but in a lot of ways it feels more Punk to me than anything else. The lyrics are calling for change and engagement with the world around us. This is a rocking political track full of energy and solid writing. A high-energy song urging action.”
“Like the title suggests, ‘Head On’ is a track that straight up faces what it is attempting to say, and expresses the emotions at hand without much subterfuge.
Smooth, soft vocals, that carry a hint of Folk in the tone, deliver an uplifting and encouraging set of lyrics that are affirmative and entertaining at the same time. The melody is not complex , and overall the song brings gentle, but meaningful message that is easy to connect and stay focused upon.”
“The name Money is no stranger to the music world, and Dez Money carries on with the family tradition started by his father, Eddie. The family can be seen on AXS TV’s show Real Money. ‘I Want Your Love’ is a contemporary song that feels more like Coldplay than his father’s music. At least it does until that guitar rift around three minutes in, when suddenly the DNA seems to come home for just a bit. This is a smooth easy track that is easy to join in and sing along to.”
“The track kicks off with velvety punk style vocals that pull you in and force you to focus on the lyrics. The guitar charged melody adds to the emotion of the words making this a fully immersive track.
An anthem for everyone that has also given just a little bit too much of themselves to another. The world will grind you down if you let it, and this single brings those feelings into the light with an emotional rock sound that scrapes away at the exterior layer of our emotions.”