“Emotive passion is the earmark of the vocal delivery on ‘Bullets.’ There are hints of Ed Sheeran and John Legend early on here here as the emotionally charged track offers strong instrumentation. The addition of a second set of vocals elevates the song to new heights and her tender delivery drives home to longing anguish of this track. The back and forth dialogue is heart wrenching and oh so captivating. ”
“Starting over is never easy and in this track about losing yourself for the purpose of reinviting who you are, Kurt Lee Wheeler tell the story of a girl running from her past. The emotion and pain is evident in the delivery and this Folksy track tell a tale we can all relate to on some level. Stripepd downa dn bare this one resonates best as a solo endeavor to allow your brain to truly listen and process.”
“This track unfurls like a sultry dreamscape. There is a retro vibe to the vocal style and build but at times the track has a more modern Pop edge and the infusion of the two in conjunction with the talented vocal performance held my intrigue for the full ride.
’GIrls Night’ is a fun ride and Dot. is the voice we need to lead a multicultural dance party. This time it just happens to be a nice slow song to hold the one you love tight as you let the song soak in. ”
“Sav DaBrain unfurls this lyrical flow with a steady precision and a sophisticated intelligence that stands out among the fray of music out there being released. The hook is melodic and the overall groove of this rhythm sweeps the listener up and in. And the tender guitar outtro offered a great way to ease out, giving the track a nice completion that many tracks today lack.”
“The song has a nice yet sad ballad. The holidays can be tough but Maxine Linehan turns her memories into a song. When the vocal range changes it pulls you in more with her emotions. ”
“You don’t know what to expect when Hillside Outlaws starts off with the guitar strings. However, the break down the moments that matter the most about Christmas with someone. The song doesn’t sound sad or depressing it sounds raw in memories. Anyone listening will flashback to all the memories they have about Christmas with that special someone. ”
“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.”
“Few things bring out vivid memories like the Holidays. This track from PYRO captures that feeling and the need to reconnect many of us feel quite well.
’Maybe It’s the Season’ is not an overtly Holiday track in sound, but the message resonates and the talent makes you feel the emotions every step of the way.”
“This is an interesting duet. With one set of vocals delivered in English, and the other in Spanish. I do not personally speak Spanish, so the lyrics on that side eluded me though I still felt the emotional power through that section.
A piano ballad of love and commitment, this track simply carried me along despite the language barrier.
Tender and emotional “Anywhere’ by JP Saxe and Carla Morrison hits right in the heart.”
“Christmas is a time for nostalgia, reflection, and of course sharing the love. Michael Costantini delivered all three with his track ‘What Christmas Is For.’
Musically, the track falls somewhere between a vintage Rock vibe and Retro Soul, while the lyrics feel entirely contemporary and festive.
This is the fresh new Holiday track I needed this year!”
“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. ”
“Adam Jesin infuses a bit of a 90s vibe in on his Indie Rock track, ‘Five More Minutes.’
A song of longing and wishing for that second chance or a few more minutes to get things right. These are emotions we and experiences we’ve all felt, so the track is highly relatable and delivered with the passion to make us feel that way again. ”
“Delivered with precision and talent, this well-written track infuses strength and emotion in one, attention-catching flow.
Wildcard comes with an intense flow and Justin Cohen joins for the hook to add another layer. This is a track that takes a few listens to pick up all the lyrical punches, but it also has a smooth hook and groove that is easy to fall in on and connect rhythmically.”
“Blending some Reggae vibes with an Indie Rock vibe isn’t new but I hear a lot fo bands try to pull it off an fail. ghost.wave accomplishes it with ease here creating a groove and edge at the same time that hooks and pulls the listener forward. ‘Right Behind’ is the kid of track that often starts as a cult favorite and eventually becomes a true classic to the masses.”
“Hailing from Broward County, Florida, Loss Cozz has seen his ups and downs, but through it all he continues to create music and step up to the mic. ‘Treehouse’ is a smooth groove and steady build and Cozz’s flow elevates as it builds to hold the listener to the track’s tinkling climax.”
“Coming with a Retro Soul groove, Kristopher James drops a Holiday groove for us all to enjoy.
Spike the eggnog, add a splash of cheer to the hot cocoa and grab your baby in a tight embrace. Then dance together in the kitchen in your stockinged feet while the kids sleep away dreaming of Santa.
This one is a vibe! ”
“DIN NYC reminded me of a blend of Tom Petty and Wilco. ‘Crooked Line’ rides that line of Indie Rock/ Americana and has a classic timeless ound. There is a bit of vintage Springsteen to the style as well. Simply a good classic sound with a engaging set of lyrics.
Perfectly timeless!”
“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. ”