“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. ”
“No artist or band delivers dark, folksy blues the way Bad Flamingo can. The raspy tone and air of alluring mystery permeates most of their work and this intriguing duo keeps cranking out the engaging tracks utilizing that branded sound.
’Numb’ paints a picture and transports the listener to a dimly lit backstreet, a dusty dirt path, a concrete wasteland as a vagabond traveler drops the decree of the despondent, the independent, the restless. This track is a vibe and so is Bad Flamingo.”
“This piano led emotional ballad of unrequited love is haunting and beautiful. Estella Dawn unfurls evocative and vulnerable vocals to go with strong writing and a tight melody that adds to the emotions of the track.
’If You Were In Love,’ delivers heartbreak and pain that the listener can feel in every line. The tone is different, but the raw power of this piece reminded me in P!nk in several places.”
“This is a glorious Pop song with a unique spin on a very common refrain. Abi Muir infuses energy and emotion into this track about trying to move on after the relationship you thought was the one is over.
’Blueprint’ is about that set of plans we conjure when we think we’ve found our soulmate and that person doesn’t feel the same so they move on leaving you to compare everyone you meet and date to that person and blueprint they left upon your mind and soul.”
“This is a tricky review for me. I do hear and appreciate the talent, though my personal Country tastes lean more toward the Outlaw and Americana sound, rather than the more Commercial Mainstream cranked out by Nashville. This track however falls in between with a sound that harkens to the 90’s brand of Country Music rarely heard among the Pop heavy and bro-country stars of today.
All that said, Karen Lee Batten clearly has the talent to deliver an emotionally laden song and this single, ‘Somewhere In Between’ does the job she intends.
Fans of of the retro 90s sound will appreciate this track, and who knows maybe Batten can help lead Country music back to a better place.”
“Rubberband Girl has a sound that feels like Sheryl Crow meets Dusty Springfield. The 70’s meets the 90’s here and yet the track does not feel retro as much as it does intuitive.
’How High?’ is a song that feels like you’ve heard it all your life after the first listen. Detailing our tendency to fall in with the one we love, and put up with/ do too much BS we otherwise wouldn’t, the track is quite tangible in its emotions. ”
“Riding a sultry beat, Dfils delivers an exotic flow that hooks all on its own. Add in a slithering lyrical arrangement and this deadly build lures the listener in and holds them tot he build. Dfils has that extra bit of verve tos ell it and keept he listener under his trance. ”
“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. ”
“This track has a nostalgic Gram Parsons kind of musical vibe to go along with the Country Chic lyrics that would do John Prine proud.
Parker Smith gives us a track that might be what Buffet would have come up with had he been raised in a trailer park, living in an ‘Air Stream.’ Of Jerry Jeff Walker if that trailer were parked somewhere in Texas.
Fun and gritty and the perfect tune to crack open an cold one and watch the sunset over the top of a Dollar Store alongside your baby.”
“We tend to feature one song at a time here at LA on Lock but every once in awhile a project comes our way that can’t really be broken down into those bite sized bites and still articulate the particular artist’s passion and talent. Downupright has given us such a project with ‘We’re Doomed, We’re Dancing.’
Call this one a Hip-Hop Rave for the end times of you want, but this collection of sixty, on-minute tracks to usher us through to the other side, is more than the sum of its parts. This is a statement and a collection that really digs and and deliver something new and fresh without going to far around the bend. ”
“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.”
“Written for his children, because he doesn’t get to see and spend as much time with them as he would like, ‘MAGIC’ is a track of love and hope that will ring true for anyone missing someone and longing for a reunion.
Parker Lane shows off his vocal chops with this emotive and uplifting track that soars on the currents of the human condition.
A true feel good song!”
“Slander teams up with Trivecta and Chris Howard to create this uplifting Future Bass track.
’A Better World’ is a clean and direct kind of track that feeds the soul with positivity. I can see the track as the backing for a movie montage, or it is a nice addition to a motivational playlist to get you inspired and ready to take on the world. ”
“June unleashes this angsty Pop track. The Houston native offers emptive vocals that reveal both subtle anger and vulnerably. ‘Not The Guy Of My Dreams’ feels very human and genuine in emotion and energy and it is the kind of track that will wrap around and be a warm hug to those going thorough similar emotions. ”
“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.’ ”
“Amp Melo gives us an old school Boom Bap style track honoring the ‘Hoop Dreamz’ many of us had back in the day. Sadly, reality usually comes knocking on the door for most of us, but that nostalgia, for the time when anything felt possible keeps us all thinking about the what ifs. This track is the soundtrack for that, and the smooth groove makes it a song you can jam to alone or with a group.”
“Swedish songstress, Julia Logan taps into the emotional toll that change and growth brings about within us. Logan grew up on a small island near Stockholm, but also spent time in Southern California thanks to family roots there, and that dreamy West Coast vibe certainly makes an appearance here.
’Top of The World’ has a haunting undercurrent that keeps the listener leaning in on tender hooks. ”
“Daimo Dunkin doe a great job of honoring the old school era of Hip-Hop and infusing contemporary emotions and ideas into this hard hitting track.
’Posies’ is a hype track, but not in the traditional sense as it does the job of motivating with low-key grit and resolve rather than through hyper boasts and hard beats. The production behind the flow adds to the grime of determination on the track, and the flow is unrelentless in its emotive power.”
“Delivering a raw, singer /songwriter type track, ‘Diorama’ showcases stew’s talent and emotive power. The writing is sharp, and the performance drips with feeling.
This track is about those well-intentioned friends and family often think they know what’s best for us.
When you are an artist, chasing what can be viewed as an impossible dream to the nondreamers of the world, those manipulations and comments from others only intensify as they “suggest’ what you should be doing what your life more freely.”