“Juliet Hawkins has that kind of raw and tender vocal talent that grabs a listener from the very first word. Fans of Brandi Carlile will hear some similarities especially in the heartbreaking tender moments. ‘What If’ is a question we’ve all asked so the emotions are highly relatable and well delivered.
I did feel a bit less of the emotion as the track progressed but this is still a track I will return to for subsequent listens.”
“Ian Abel unleashes this cheeky track about axing that troublesome ex. ‘Not Our Song’ is a fun ode to saying so long.. Abel is A Brooklyn native and a fast rising icon of the LGBQT+ scene though this track certainly has relevancy and punch for all of us. ”
“Thirsty Curses gives us a tongue-in-cheek bit of advice on how to navigate life with ‘Breakfast Schmeckfest.’
The Ska/Pop Punk vibe is perfect for the lyrical build and the group has the talent to pull off the fun groove as well as the vocal performance with precision. This is one of those songs some might dismiss as kitschy or fun but at its heart the lyrical build has enough depth to keep you coming back.”
“Zach Santos explores the idea of making something that started as a casual thing, into more of a regular thing with ‘Something Good.’ The uplifting vibe and honest energy carry the track and hey we never know where lasting love is going to come from so why not remain upbeat and on the lookout.
This song simply feels good for the heart and soul.”
“Lisa Heller utilizes her vocal talent and energy to unleash ‘U LIKE THAT.’ The track is about an ongoing relationship that both parties know isn’t going anywhere but hey fun is fun while it lasts and sometimes those urges take over our common sense.
The high energy track has a Commercial edge and is right at home in the Alt Pop landscape. ”
“JESSIA unleashes a POp masterpiece with ‘I’m NOt Gonna Cry.’ The emotion and lyrical range of the track gave me Freddie Mercury vibes.
I’m not saying JESSIA or this track sounds exactly like QUEEN, because the styles differ. This is definitely a Pop song, but there is a bigger more complex edge to her talent, and the way the track did the unexpected while showcasing massive talent definitely had the flair not many artists can pull off.”
“Italian singer/songwriter, Damien McFly wrote ‘I’m Getting Older’ as a letter to his younger life. The track is meant to mark his feeling ten years into his music career and despite the personal nature of the track the lyrics have a broader relevance we can all understand and appreciate.
Life’s journey is fraught with ups and downs, and we all need to take some time to celebrate the growth and miles we’ve put behind us. This song does a great job and I dare you to listen because we all should take stock of our lives from time to time. ”
“Loving someone and watching them struggle with mental health issues is a gut-wrenching thing to do. Joshua Golden highlights the track with a touch of wry humor and a whole universe worth of compassion. ‘The Moon Is A Spaceship’ takes a tangible look at a journey fraught with pitfalls and dangers, but man is it absolutely full of humanity.”
“Alba Rose unleashes some ‘Sunshine’ with her Neo-Soul single. The hard drum beat did get in the way for me at times but her smooth vocals still carried the day and I could feel the golden warmth of the sun on my face as I listened to her performance. ”
“Dreaming helps keep us all alive and hopeful but when those dream never quite come to fruition or always feel out of reach we lose hope. Caroline Romano dives into the resulting emotions with her track, ‘Born To Want More.’
This Alt Pop track highlights her tender vocal vulnerability as well as her songwriting prowess. ”
“This time of year we all begin to dream of a warm escape to sit on sandy beaches under a warm sun. ‘Rio Magic’ from The Real Mack The Knife just might be the next best thing.
The light, airy tone and exotic glow of the track makes it easy to close your eyes and imagine you are heading out for a night in Rio, or at least sitting on the beach imagining one. ”
“If you are looking for a bit of fresh Holiday Pop then let me present to you, ‘One Sweet December Night,’ from Cooper Phillip.
The track has an almost 80’s Pop vibe and the uplifting, fun lyrical build pulls you along like Santa’s magical sleigh. Give me this on repeat instead of the worn our Mariah Carey song any day of the week.”
“Gabe Lopez is a successful musician but you might not yet be aware of this solo work. As a music producer for RuPaul’s Drag Race, Belinda Carlisle, platinum KPOP artists and more, Lopez has already made a mark in the musical landscape, and now this new track , ‘Long Road,’ might elevate this talented artist to even greater heights.
The song has an haunting, heavy quality that makes the emotions inescapable. A track that means more with each listen, this is a song that has a timeless sound and appeal.”
“The vocal tone and emotive delivery is what held me initially to Ava Valianti’s latest single, ‘Wishing Well.’
That said the writing is poignant and meaningful and offers a melancholy type of nostalgia we all feel from time to time.
The world marches on, and with it change is inevitable, but as we say goodbye to the many little things that were part of our childhoods we also lose little pieces of ourselves. Those losses do as much to shape who we are as the new additions that replace them. We are all constantly shedding our skin, in both a literal and figurative sense and this song captures it so well.”
“Halo Kitsch has some fun calling out the fake hypocrisy of those who work so damn hard to be perfect. Perfect and predictable is a manufactured illusion fed these days by social media likes and follows. ‘BETWEEN YOUR TEETH’ is an ode to the real ones, the true friends that will tell you not what you want to hear, but what you NEED to hear.”
“Luci began her career as a an EDM producer and that influence is clear on this track, though the vocal side certainly has Pop sensibilities.
’Loner’ is an emotive and vulnerable track in its best moments, though for me the harder drops and production that turned toward a Future Bass/EDM style got in the way of the emotions at times.
For me this track shined the brightest with Luci’s emotive delivery and less production behind it clouding the song. ”
“Oslo, Norway’s Aiida wastes no time getting right to the pint on ‘Got No Strings.’
The attitude is palpable, and the writing as sharp and pointed as the delivery.
This is pure Pop Gold in the vein of Britney at her best. ”
“Most of us long to find that elusive soulmate, and while waiting, we come up with our ideas and ideals of what that person will be like. Joshua Golden taps into those expectations with his tack, ‘I Can’t Wait To Meet You.’
The song straddles that line between Pop and Rap to create a Commercial track that should appeal to a wide audience. The emotion and performance and added snippets of conversation on each end really come together to feel true and genuine.”
“This track is a classic example of so many submission we receive here at LA on Lock. There is clear and obvious vocal talent, and even the arrangement has musical potential, the overall track lacks a clean production and build.
From a few pauses and skips that at least felt unintentional, to the mix, which left the vocals feeling too distant at times this track just didn’t quite realize its full potential for me. And yet, I can tell the artistry and talent it is simply a matter of getting it all put together in a tidier package.”
“Ingrid Avison unleashes her debut single, ‘Time Travelling Cowboy.’ The emotive delivery highlight Avison’s songwriting and vocal talent.
With a slight tremble at times that sells the words well, Avison has that classic Americana vibe that feels like a kinder softer Lucinda Williams mixed with some of the strong emotion of a Brandi Carlile.
I did at times crave a stronger sense of build and escalation from the arrangement.”