“Ava Della Pietra achieves what is truly difficult on this Holiday track, which is to give us a song that feels like Christmas without coming across as derivative of the many classics we hear over and over again. ‘You Make It Christmas’ is an a nostalgic track that takes you back in time with acoustic charm and talent.”
“Maybe” captures that universal moment when love turns uncertain, offering honesty and emotional clarity that listeners will instantly connect to. It’s a song for anyone who’s ever given their all to someone who couldn’t decide.”
“Tape Division takes on Country Pop with their latest single ‘Grip Too Tight.’ That is their description of this track but for me the sound is more soulful than country, more bluesy than Pop. This track has a Teddy Swims type vibe and style.
But genre aside the track is well-written and we’ve all certainly held on a little too tight and found ourselves in a vulnerable position as a result.”
“Meredith Adelaide delivers an emotive and honest set of lyrics on ‘What Do I know.’ The singer/songwriter taps into a soft emotional side to unfurl an almost stream of consciousness look inward and in her own vulnerability the listener can tap into their own psyche and set of emotions. The vibe is calming and peaceful and lands between Folk and a tender Pop style bit of Adult Contemporary. Though the build ramps up in tension much inthe same way our brain tends to spin on our deeper thoughts.”
“Labit is a songwriter in every sense of the word. This Filipino-American is infusing life into all eighteen track of his latest album. The namesake track, ‘Sol’ is an ode to his grandmother and takes the life lessons and wisdom she imparted and infuses it into song. Emotive and tender, the track and album are filled with both love and truth. ”
“You might know the band Midnight Til Morning from the Netflix series, Building the Band or perhaps you are hearing them for the first time here on this post. Either way expect to hear a lot more out of this talented group. ‘Heart on Fire’ is an uptempo track that is timeless in sound and style.
From the 70’s to today, tight vocals and charged musicianship has had a place in popular music and this band is right in line with their talent and dynamic stage presence.”
“Love can be volatile and we’ve all either been in a ‘Drunk &Messy’ type of relationship or know someone who has. Estella Dawn is an artist we regularly feature here at LA on Lock and that is for good reason. This Indie Pop starlet continues to churn out meaningful songs showcasing a variety of styles and emotions. This track is but another feather in her artistic cap.”
Diana Vickers is definitely giving Vogue energy with her new song about ice cream it’s the kind of track that melts into your mind after one listen. The glossy production, playful lyrics, and that unmistakable Vickers charm make it a perfect slice of true pop. It’s sugary, stylish, and confident a reminder that pop doesn’t have to take itself too seriously to be iconic.
“Break ups inspire nearly as many songs as new found love and one could argue they are even more passionate. ‘You’re The Worst’ from Eva James is such a track. Artfully written and performed, the track is an in your face ode to love gone bad.
This is in your face Indie Pop for all of us fed up and pissed off by shitty relationships and even worse people.”
“Inspired by the NYT Bestselling novel by Kristin Kobes Du Mez, ‘Jesus and John Wayne’ is a bold, soul-searching anthem about reclaiming faith from the grip of politics and exclusion. Written by googly eyes reimagines spirituality as a source of healing, belonging, and radical love, especially for those the church has pushed aside.
Joy Oladokun and Allison Ponthier jin googly eyes to bring this thoughtful track to life. This is a track you can vibe to by feeling the music and hook ro you can truly reflect and feel the full power by diving into the poignant lyrical build.”
“Avery Lynch gives us a breakup song with heart, reflection, and vulnerability, but still pulls of a confident, positivity by spinning a toxic take into self-affirming love.
’Lasting Effects’ is a softly delivered Indie Pop track from a talented singer/songwriter on the rise. A song to sit and let soak in like the last warm rays of sunshine on a calm day.”
“Unrequited love is an emotional roller coaster and Eva James unleashes a torrent of emotion about that very thing on her latest single, ‘The One You Lose.’ The tender and vulnerable delivery is paired with a tempo and beat that feels like the hammering of your heart as you feel it ache.”
“Chicago singer/songwriter Sean Skyler has been carving a place in the musical landscape while honing his craft. His latest track, ‘Follow’ You’ is a an upbeat and energetic ode to love and reckless abandon that only love can bring. A perfect feel-good summer track to put some bounce in your step and a whistle in your lips.
Or hey ... it could be a jaunty song about a stalker. Only sort of kidding but the track made me smile so I hope it does the same for you.”
“In case you need one, this is your reminder that Sunday May 11th is Mother’s Day.
Neena Rose clearly needed no such reminder as she penned this tender loving ode to mother’s and planned the release to coincide with the holiday.
The track is artfully written and performed and you’d no doubt warm your own mother’s heart by sharing this track with her.”
“David B Archibald is a Scottish musician, but he wrote ‘Stay Here Together’ on the banks of a Georgia lake while pondering his future here in the USA.
This emotional ode has a hint of Chris Stapleton in the sound and feels real and gritty and the perfect soundtrack to play as you try and figure out your next move. ”
“Lonely nights of retrospection out beyond the glare of city lights. That’s what Kito Rayburn’s latest track, ‘Thunder’ brings to mind for me.
Actually the track has hit me differently each time I’ve listened to it. The songwriting is superb and the emotion tangible so sit back and listen and let your mind dance along with this calm storm of the heart.”
“The need to fix someone is often disguised by obsession of the dark and mysterious. Tessa Dalton’s track ‘Dark & Pretty’ is about that obsession and all that can come with it if you dive in without considering all that could be lurking there in the shadows. This Alt Pop sing/songwriter vibe is alive with emotion and turmoil. ”
“Luciana Lariccia is a German songstress quickly headed for Pop stardom. ‘Masterpiece’ is a track about love and infatuation told in a glorious Pop crescendo that hooks the listener from the beginning. The vocal performance carries the heavy work thought he writing is sharp and spot on as well.”
“Matt Sahadi weaves a tale of lost love and a journey to rekindle the spark in the hauntingly beautiful track, ‘Halfway to Charlotte.’
Love is one of the the few things that can shake us up enough to rush headfirst into the last place you want to go. This song is about that leap of faith and facing your fears to chase after the thing you need the most.
The stripped down feel matches the emotions perfectly and you can feel the rubber meeting the road on this engaging song. ”
“We all go through some lulls in life and it is those dark places and times that lend to the good and hopeful times feeling all the more uplifting. Madisyn Gifford gives us a soundtrack for those transformative moments when the clouds lift and the sun finds its way to our smiling faces once again. ‘Die Happy’ is a Pop Folk track that feels like emerging from a heavy, emotional cocoon. ”