“This is songwriting at its best. Chris Robley has that extra bit of intuitiveness to his writing that you normally find in such artists as Jason Isbell, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits. That line between heartbreak and hope is always at the center of the work and gives the listener a myriad of emotion to work from. This is a track that grows on you with each and every listen, but is mesmerizing from the very first listen.”
“An anthem for Gen Z, ‘johnnysixteen’ is a smooth Pop groove telling the story of a young man trying a find his place in the world. That theme is of course universal through the ages, but Mustafa Sal does a great job of capturing the thoughts, fears and attitudes of his generation. ”
“This track took top honors in what the New York Times describes as the Olympics of songwriting, and one listen is enough to see why.
’Jocelyn’ is the tale of an Irish immigrant living in New York and brings to light both the triumphs and struggles of a different time and generation. A timeless, storytelling set of lyrics that offers both hope and heartbreak and a wealth of emotion are delivered in an emotive rasp reminiscent of Tom Waits.”
“Some artists and songs deliver such emotional power that they immediately hook you and make you feel both what the track is saying, as well as a pulling up feelings from your past. That is what Rushil’s single, ‘Hold This’ did for me. His Indian heritage shines through in places, and in others this feels like a deeply personal Singer/Songwriter type of single that defies a true genre. No matter what the emotion is palpable and undeniable.”
“The Satellite Station offers up a haunting distant sound that perfectly convey the emotions of this track. ‘For The Coast’ is a melancholic ode reflection about starting over and finding the courage to venture out an reinvent yourself in some new and unexpected way. ”
“Joel Ansett deliver the smooth vulnerable vocals and emotional vibes that define the singer/songwriter genre on his latest track, ‘Expectations.’ We have all wrestled with our expectations, and this track does an exemplary job of putting that struggle into a tangle song that is easy to fall in on and lose yourself in thought. ”
“Hilary Watson has the kind of timeless vocals that fits most any time period or genre. Stepping away from her normal vocal duo in this solo effort, Watson offers up a bluesy roots sound that comes with a bit of a wry twist, lyrically. ”
“Lisa Heller captures both the nostalgia and the angst of going home again. That line between fond reminisce and sad regret for the passage of time, is one we have all felt and ‘18’ captures the dynamic only as a talented singer/songwriter can express. ”
“Love is all too often fleeting, and in that comes a vulnerability that scares most of us. This song dances tenderly around this exact anxiety as the duo offers up an emotional give and take about the hopes and fears of a newfound relationship. The two voices blend perfectly and each emotes the anguish and excitement of being in love.”
“Young love is a theme often seen in music, but despite travelling that same road, nothing about Simone’s track feels cliche or stale. The emotions of ‘everything/nothing’ are up front and present, and oh-so-real, even if it has been years since that first young love of your life. You can feel this relationship unfold, and in that you have no choice but to think back on your own life.”
“Vocally, Tassia Zappia lands somewhere between Elle King and Amy Winehouse, and in that the talented Aussie is keeping some serious company. ‘You Don’t Want Me’ is an attitude-filled slow roll, that churns with passion in the form of a pissed-off frustration that is damn near tangible within the performance. Bluesy, yet still Commercial in sound, this track is one far too many of us can relate to after being in such a relationship.”
“This track definitely spoke to my Texas roots. Folk, reminiscent to a blend of the late great John Prine and Todd Snider, the soft tone comes with lyrical punch and a wry bit of emotional twist. This track is not as Commercial in its sound as most of the music we share on LA on Lock, but don’t let that deter you from taking a dive in on this well-written ode to the selfish people we all know.”
“Kath Myers is a bit of an enigma. Launching her foray into the music business at thirty-one, she brings a different perspective to the her writing and ‘According to the Law’ deals with the emptiness and social stigma of dating someone considerable younger.
Written about a relationship she had with a person 15 years younger than herself, and with a view into a perspective not often represented in contemporary American music the song stands out in a unique way ... You were born too late / You’re just a baby / By the time you’re in your prime I’m gonna be an old lady / But I’m in my prime today so let’s do it anyway ... she sings over sparse piano, guitar, drums and a deep seated bass line that sit back and set a deceptively grand stage for Myers’ incredible vocals to shine with a sheen that belies her relative lack of experience behind a mic.”
“Trying to help someone you love who isn’t quite ready to be helped, can be frustrating and heartbreaking. Charlotte Jane tackles that very scenario in her new single, ‘Refuge.’
Jane says of her track, “At its core ‘Refuge’ is about the frustration of wanting to love and support someone through a tough time, but how you can’t force someone to open up to you. Especially when it’s a mental health struggle or aftershocks from a past trauma, supporting someone can feel like a spectator sport sometimes. You can see the pain playing out but you can’t get involved unless they invite you. I thought I was writing it about other people, then realised I could, subconsciously, be talking to myself.”
The track is delivered in tender, but raw vocals that enable the listener to feel every word of the frustration, pain, and hope.”
“The video for ‘Butterflies’ is interesting and held my attention, though for me the imagery felt oddly paired with such an emotionally personal song.
James TW clearly has the vocal chops to deliver the proper impact on this well-written song about the regret of letting that special someone slip away. Smooth and soft in that Pop singer/songwriter way, this track captivates.”
“If you are a sucker for that timeless smooth groove of a soulful crooner, then Kristopher James is an artist you want to know. ‘Feelings’ takes you for a ride that feels like a drive on warm Sunday afternoon down a wide open stretch of road. It is the musical equivalent to the warm scent of sugar cookies fresh from the oven. It is comfort music in every sense of the word. ”
“Some voices simply invite you in, and Suzie Ungerleider has such a talent. Formerly performing under the name Oh Susanna, this American -born, Canadian raised singer/songwriter has long been recognized as a purveyor of deeply emotional and tender offering that land in your soul. This latest track is no exception.
’Baby Blues,’ a song about how the traumatic events we witness when we’re young can haunt and indeed shape our older selves. It’s a deep subject with an upbeat punchline. “Like ghosts,” Ungerleider says, “sometimes you just need to just sit with them, feel their power, and, because they feel seen, they release their hold on you for a little while.”’”
“Catie Turner has the perfect voice for offering up a beautiful tribute to mothers. Mother’s Day is not too far off and if this track doesn’t leave you reflective and emotional about the one who brought you into this world and guided you along the way, then my heart goes out to you because that means fate cheated you out of the opportunity to truly experience a mother’s love. This sweet and tender ode speaks to the heart.”
“The Satellite Station captures the fragility of being human on this track. ‘Only Human’ is a soft and tender ode to the struggles we all face. Delivered in a singer/songwriter vibe, the lyrics are emotional and reflective but also come with an underlying optimism and inspiration that feels invigorating as you listen. ”
“Marie Naffah’s has a brand new EP dropping today. ‘Cold Water’ is but one track on her Golden State EP with each song offering a different reflection on a trip to America’s West Coast.
The Londoner does a marvelous job of capturing the texture and flavor of a road trip while adding in the emotional yearning of love. The rich, sultry vocals shine and draw the listener in tight. ”