“Its always pleasant to hear a good RnB song. Mar-q’s new single “Ride 4 U” is about discovering who is loyal to you and appreciating them. It recognizes loving the people who love you and recaps the good things they have done. This is a soulful visual of Bonnie and Clyde. ”
“Sydney Riley packs in both passion and attitude in this track. The delivery hints at a campiness, but the sound never begins to feel overtly theatrical, simply deliberate. A track that calls on the supernatural vibes only nature can provide in setting mood and intent, this song is hard to pin down genre-wise as it offers a rock edge, a folk sensibility, and a pop energy to wind feeling like vintage Joan Jett blended with the softer side of Stevie Nicks.”
“David Rasmussen and The Companions team on this heartfelt single that lands square in the feels department. ‘Lost Or Gone’ is the type of song that speaks directly to the center of your soul.
The performance is timeless and pure, and is impossible not to feel if you truly take the time to listen and appreciate the emotions laid bare in the most genuine and honest way.”
“Annie of the Canyon is not a stranger to LA on Lock readers, but if you have missed her previous features here on the blog it is never to discover her emotive and tender vocals. There is a mysterious allure to her tone and the emotion of her writing and delivery never fails to engage the deeper senses of my psyche. Like a modern Stevie Nicks, Annie of the Canyon has that odd combination of fierce determination and soft vulnerability that is both alluring and inviting. ”
“The emotional vocal delivery grabs hold from the first word and as the lyrical build unfolds the performance only draws you in deeper. The Satellite Station brings a timeless songwriter vibe and combines that with a folksy Indie Rock sound that is almost tangible in its powerful emotional resonance. ”
“Melody and vocal tone are powerful when perfectly matched and that was the case on GRAACE’s latest single, ‘Sentimental.’ From the first guitar note to the final emotive line delivered, the track feels spot on. A songwriters sentiments with a commercial vibe that lifts the track above the emotional fray and into a realm not many songs ever reach. ”
“We all want to break free from life choices. In Nate Fenn’s new single “Cashier” it is about wanting to be more than your hometown. Everyone want’s a different outlet or a plan to get them out of where they are. The song has a relaxed tempo but allows you to vibe with it.”
Merlaku Ra is a multi-talented artist, producer, songwriter, and rapper. Born in Atlanta, raised predominantly in South Carolina, now in Los Angeles. He has been singing his whole life as he was raised apart of a church choir. He wrote his first song at 13 years old. He has always explored his love for Hip-hop , Blues, Gospel & Trap given his deep southern roots.
“Do you believe in heaven? Delivered in a deep undertone Merlaku reveals to us the dynamics of his vocals in this poetic yet emotional track. “Heaven” is about going beyond the clouds and spiritual energy. ”
“JC Stewart hits on a simple yet complex theme. “Don’t Say You Love Me’ ... just to keep me from leaving is a brilliant line, and comes with a set of emotions that most of us have felt at one time or another. The performance from this Norther Ireland native emotes the passion behind the writing and comes with a blend of anger, resentment, and dismay. All of which is the exact mix such a false declaration instills when tossed out in desperation.”
“Born and raised in LA, Gregory Ackerman delivers a timeless Indie Folk sound. “All This Thinking’ is rich in emotion and it wraps around you warming the soul like a nice heavy blanket. The groove and melody are easy to fall in on and the performance makes the song feel as if you are listening to an old friend’s advice. The guitar captured my and held me as tightly as the vocals.”
“Leeroy Stagger sounds like what I imagine the Grateful Dead would be with Jason Isbell fronting them. ‘More Love Than Money’ is a groove and a mood, but the writing delivers more emotion than you’d expect from such a fun and light melody. A song that makes you want to shout amen as you sing along and feel every word.
Stagger is one voice I’d love to see perform in person as I have now featured a few tracks from the talented Canadian. ”
“Nic Darwin wrote ‘Fit’ about the struggle of trying to fit in with the so-called norms when you are the kid others have labeled as weird. Of course we all know the creative and imaginative side that pushes people to the outside of society are the very same traits that make them creative artists. And once they find success there, then suddenly those who mocked the same attributes are their biggest fans. It is an odd dynamic and this track captures all of that very well. ”
“Toby Johnson offers up a track revealing his daydreams and desires over getting out and exploring the world once again. Maybe he’ll find love and maybe he’ll simply find a warm stretch of beach under the brilliant sunshine, but either way ‘California’ is calling.
This track does a good job of capturing the wonderment of our fantasies as we all long to take off and explore the world once again. This is all the more true after a rough 18 months or so that has kept us all closer to home than we would like. ”
“When art is genuine and heartfelt it rarely disappoints and Lazer Lloyd delivers both with his single, ‘Real.’
Lazer’s comment on what is behind the song, ‘What do you think it means to be real? What’s your version of reality? Are you controlling your mind or is your mind controlling you? Keep it real to feel the pure manifestation living through you without adding the past, future, like or dislike. I’m a this or a that. Just be truly real beyond description and concepts, completely awake in this very moment which is the only real thing that ever exists...’
This is the kind of track that sticks with you and makes you think long after after the last note. Classic, timeless, and heartfelt! ”
“Regualr readers of LA on Lock will realize we have featured several tracks from LA artist Ryan Cassata, but this track certainly has a different vibe than those other songs. Cassata is talented and that fact shows in the diverse sounds and styles we have heard, though one constant is the strong writing and this track again offers that.
This track has an Emo Hip-Hop vibe that underscores the Pop sensibilities.”
“Life is forever changing. We often let it pass us by because we are not paying attention to our surroundings. In some aspect we are all connected and there are many strangers there willing to lend a helping hand. In Lexi Berg’s new single we discovered even though they say it’s a “Lonely World” the world actually is filled with hope and hearts.”
“Skydivers pull their ‘Ripcord’ to stop their freefall and open the parachute to safely land. This song is about falling in love and how their is no ripcord or safety device to make falling in love gentle and easy.
John Adams offers a timeless vocal style that is both emotive and heartfelt. This is a track to add to your relationship playlists or to share with the one you are falling for. The track offers a big bold progression that easily carries you along.”
“The way life has been going this past year “the music is getting louder and the drinks are getting stronger”. R3HAB x Sigala x JP Cooper “Runaway” visually focuses on making memories instead of running away from your feelings. We must not let life get the best of us to where we are no longer enjoying it.”
“Only Bricks’s new single “Antisocial” takes you from party mode to not wanting to be around anyone but yourself. The song is less party more pity party. It explains the thoughts of an introvert and someone who tries to be social but always find a way to hide. ”
“Chloe Lilac does not pull any punches in her latest single, ‘10 Things.’ Never piss of a writer and especially a songwriter as they can and will use those emotions to fight back. The writing here is strong and the emotion behind the delivery works well in this revenge track of sorts. There is a Pop, almost Punk vibe that hooks the listener in and keep them invested in the lyrical build. ”