“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.”
“Chasing the Hollywood dream quite often turns into a bit of a nightmare for most. Ambrosius has some fun with that as well as the lore of history in their single ‘Hollywood Babeism.’
Taking their cue from the Pixies musically, this Oslo based group gives us a unique tongue-in-cheek retelling of their own pursuit for some of that California gold. The overall result is a classic rock sound that reminded me of Queen, Springsteen, and Petty at different junctures of the track.”
“There are glossy tracks, songs that hit with energy, and of course those with lyrical hooks that impale the masses. Then there are the songs that eschew the trappings of most popular music and simply give you pure, emotional truth.
UraelB does exactly that with ‘Dirty Toothbrush.’ Some might compare the style to Kendrick Lamar, but there is nothing derivative here on this track. The power comes from tapping into the memories of the soul, and the hope of tomorrow’s dreams. ”
“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.”
“Few things transcends borders the way music can. Elesia limura and O.T are joined by Busta Rhymes on this track.
’Chooky’ is the kind of track that spurns slang to the new level so don’t be surprised when this slang from down under catches fire and you hear the word ‘Chooky’ used by music lovers across the globe.
The groove here is infectious as it combines a smooth delivery and flow with the trademark growl we’ve come to expect from Busta Rhymes.”
“Yung Gravy brings his wry lyrical wit and irreverent vocal style that his fans have come to expect on ‘Mozzarella.’ Joined on the track by Lil Keed, the flows sync and help bring this one to life. The hard beat and cadence make it easy to start bouncing and joining in once you know the words.
I won’t say this is my favorite Yung Gravy track, but still a fun one I will be listening to for a good long while.”
“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.”
“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. ”