“If you ever needed to feel empowered when all hope is gone ‘Last Stand’ is the song for you. Our ancestors are always with us and have made a-lot of sacrifices for us. This song is poetic revolution of what a-lot of people believe in. The ballad allows you to imagine yourself walking but realizing you are not online in this battle.”
A collaboration like no other, ‘Last Stand’ pulls through an emotional and breathtaking sound that is sure to tug at the emotions. Equipped with an outstanding acoustic guitar track and hard-hitting drums, this slow burn promises a rollercoaster ride of bliss. With smooth yet bouncy bass lines, the two talented hip-hop artists deliver thought provoking bars of lyricism as they channel the strength of their ancestors to push them through the dark times ahead.
“This track has a fun light air about it but still brings an honest and earnest vulnerability. AJ Smith is having fun here with a track written to ask his girlfriend to move in with him. the ukulele driven track tips its hat to classic doo wop, as well as other influences, and ends up just be an entertaining delight.”
“Coming with a soft, Bedroom Pop style of songwriting, mehro gives is a track about regret. ‘Chance With You’ is a reflective song about wanting to turn back the clock and take that shot you were too afraid of at the time. The vocals are full of yearning angst and you can feel the regret in every line. ”
“Pure West Coast vibin’!
JavyDade captures a smooth groove, while hitting on many of the aspects that make West Coast living what it is. This is a perfect track to play as you cruise down the PCH, or any place where the sun is shining and the good times are flowing.”
“Sometimes I take my role as gatekeeper and music reviewer and try to explain what makes a track work for me, and sometimes I find it best to defer to the artist to explain.
TPE — AKA Tight Pussy Energy, is trap queen anthem with a NY vibe and artist Belie Bando calls the track ‘... an anthem for women as I constantly proclaim Tight Pussy Energy. It reminds men and women that TPE is about being sexy and strong.’ ”
“Simple honesty in the trademark of this track by STF. Genuine emotions are to be found not only in the actual songwriting, but the tender delivery as well. Reminded me a bit of Phillip Phillips. Add this one to your reflective playlists for those times you want to take a calm memory trip into your past.”
“We recently featured another track from LiBand and that one delivered with unflinching bravado and confidence. This time the flow is a bit more low key, but the unique tone carries the day.
Layed over trap keys and skittering 808s, this flow is more of a steady resolve and mindset than a swaggering boast. In this diversity of styles and sounds, LiBand impresses and verifies he is an artist that is here to stay.”
“Dezabel comes in smooth but allows anyone listening to be engaged. ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait No More’ is Electro Pop meets RnB. He speaks on how he is becoming impatient with anticipation. I like how a female’s vocals was introduced after the two mark to give a strong feeling of emotion. ”
Swiss songwriter and producer Dezabel kicks off 2021 with his latest single 'I don't wanna wait no more'. Blending analog and electronic elements, Dezabel sets the scene for this emotive, yet hooky track. With a more than ever relevant message about friendship, the lyrics reflect a feeling that the world over can relate to. Irish singer Calvin Biasi takes the lead vocal role with his powerful and unique tone, with further layers coming from the incredibly talented American based singer Jazelle Paris making 'I don't wanna wait no more' a song that will be echoing in your head from the first listen.
“Ella Collier releases ‘Crush’ just in time for Valentine’s Day, and no doubt this one will be shared by hopeful couples this weekend and beyond.
Light and airy in the best possible way, this Electro Pop track captures the euphoria and hope of falling for someone. This is the kind of single that will have you singing along before you know it.”
“Purely intoxicating! Maude Latour offers up her latest single, ‘Walk Backwards’ which is rich and bubbly and and altogether inebriating in the very best ways. Poppy, but without a hint of bubblegum, the track deals with the blurred lines of love, friendship, and romanticism in bold and direct ways.
The song has a voyeuristic feel with a nice groove that makes it impossible not to stay thirsty on.”
“The best art is an expression of true emotions, and while some artists can tap into the emotions of others to convey experiences beyond ones they have faced themselves, sometimes only through the raw sting felt pain can art be distilled. This is the case with ‘To My Face’ from Libby Larkin.
After an uphill battle through self-expression and closure, Libby is finally ready to release her first EP, titled ‘L|A’, in February of this new year. It all started when she caught her best friend and the girl she was seeing in a secret affair. As if a scene from a movie, she caught them revealing the entirety of their fling on a voice recording. With the recording on her phone and an unhealthy desire to bask in her heartbreak, Larkin decided to make a three song EP. Releasing on the Friday before Valentine’s Day, the project is titled “L|A” which stands for the city where this happened, and ironically also for the guilty’s initials. Each song contains a snippet of the recording from that dreadful night, and getting a glimpse of the full story is available by listening to all three songs in order.”
“The soft and smooth vocal build kept me on the hook early on as Yoji built into the emotion of this soulful ballad. The gift of hindsight would be nice, and sometimes all we can do is trust that good things are coming, but this track offers a sweet refrain for those thankful of where they are now. ”
“This track hit me like a fever dream. A dream I might have after getting drunk on Sake and then falling asleep while watching Pulp Fiction. I gotta be straight up honest and say I’m not sure what captivated me so much on this track, because I can’t translate a word lyrically, but the Japanese Surf Rock sound hooked me and wouldn’t let go.”
“With a hint of Blues and a whole lot of soul, Dominique Fils-Aimé definitely has her ‘Mind Made Up,’ and after you listen to this talented vocalists your mind will be made up as well.
This affirmative build and progression simply sweeps up the musical soul and carries it forward along with the track making it impossible not to close your eyes and lose yourself in the music for a few minutes.”
“In today’s musical landscape, we often dismiss a track before it has time to truly land it’s emotional punches. I nearly did that here. The early vocal groove from Raquel Aurilia, while beautifully delivered, did not hit me in the feels, but when blended with the slow deliberate flow of Cam Carter and the message of the track subsequent refrains landed with perfect emotional balance. This is definitely a track that means more with each listen.”
“I found myself vibing to ‘This 1 Is Free’. The beat sounds like a suspenseful Michael Myers movie however Rileazy’s delivery is smooth and direct. He has a cypher mixed with a freestyle type of flow to him.”
Listen to This 1 Is Free on Spotify. Rileazy · Song · 2021.
“Maguire’s new single ‘Melt’ is a ballad with emotive vocals.
As she stands in a hall way she begins walking and searching for the truth. As she finds him their souls are shown connecting in a peaceful dance. The singer songwriter just doesn’t deliver us a new song off her forthcoming EP “Fantasies” she delivers us art.”
“Dax never holds back. LA on Lock visitors have seen the tracks we share from this Independent artist who unflinchingly does things his way. With theatrical music videos and a passionate flows that come straight at you Dax always has something to say and he is never afraid to say it.
Here on ‘KILLSHOT 3’ he hits on all of that and more, in what could be construed as a personal anthem on the state of the musical industry and the struggle artists such as himself face.”
“LiBand. Remember the name of this Louisiana rapper. Hailing from the other LA, LiBand delivers his words and flow with brazen confidence and impeccable timing.
The writing is sharp without ever relying on the easy or rpdictable rhyme to deliver his message. No, this track isn’t redefining the genre, but it is going to entertain and keep you in the groove.”
“Nate Ouellette will draw comparisons to Justin Bieber, and it will be interesting to listen and see how his career develops and evolves to see if he embraces those similarities or drifts from them.
’Fantasy’ is a smooth track with an intricate lyrical build and an on point production that keeps you leaning in. This track would be right at home on the radio today and hopefully will find the audience it deserves.”