“The energy of this track caught me straight off, and then the vocal flow came with enough emotion to carry the day once that initial energy settled in. The confidence in the delivery, and the fact he’s clearly having fun dropping this flow makes it a pleasure to listen to.
This is one I’ll be adding to several playlists to have at the ready when I need that pick me up groove or to settle in and let the music wash away the day. ”
“Bars for days. J. Oso drops this track which eschews a traditional hook, in favor of a steady barrage of hard hitting lines and each one lands and delivers a punch that fits perfectly with the mood and attitude of the writing. The beat production gets out of the way for the most part, but does add an underlying attitude which helps bring out the verve of the flow.”
“Staying calm, cool, and collected, in the midst of a first date is no easy feat, and AJ Smith deliver the emotions of those anxious moments with sheer brilliance on this track. ‘Cooler’ is about trying to shake off the mental trappings and insecurities to better connect with the person that has caught your attention. This single certainly captivates and demands attention with its clever structure and emotive delivery. ”
“Cliff Savage wanted to rep So Cal and his East Long Beach home with this track and the track drips with West Coast influence. The beat is smooth and establishes a mood that Savage further brings out with his steady tempo and delivery. This is a track that will stick in your head and keep you settled in a mood all day long. ”
“This emotive track falls somewhere between an emotional singer/songwriter vibe and an Electro Pop energy ready to erupt. Written about the mental health struggles of the singer’s father, the track could certainly be interpreted in other way as well and in that versatility the talent of both the writing and the performance comes alive. I felt every word and held on in eager anticipation to see how the track would build and progress. ”
“I thought this would be just like any other first day out track but FettiBoyz Dinero Jerm proved me wrong. After spending 31 months in jail Fetti was released after proving his innocence. He tells his truth in his new single “Co Defendant”. You often don’t know who is going to ride with you, hold you down, stand beside you but most importantly tell the truth.”
“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. ”
“GAYLE offers this stripped down FU to a former boyfriend, and while the track starts subtle enough, it soon tromps straight to the point in calling out the hypocrisy and lies behind a bad breakup.
’abcdefu’ offers both clever word play and the directness to make the point with stark clarity. The vocal tone is intriguing and laden with the proper emotion to make such a track truly come alive. ”
“A different kind of break up song that will make you smile, but also nod along if you’ve even been there in that situation of watching a relationship dissipate.
LA band, An Adolescent Tragedy has a decided West Coast sound that has enough of a Punk vibe to be categorized that way, but still brings a bit of the 90s sound to the mix to make the track have a Commercial feel as well.”
“LibFOREIGN delivers ‘HUNNIT PROOF’ with precision and passion — a combination that is not easy to achieve. The flow hits with emotion and meaning, but stays within itself to establish an easy groove that is varied and deliberate.
The writing shows confidence as well and comes with a deliberate swagger that sets off the track. I gave the track multiple listens and found new nuances with each go.”
“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.”
“Austrian duo, dreaming of Cali, might be wishing they were on a beach here in California, but they are certainly not wasting their lamentations. Their latest track, ‘fed up,’ offers a nice mix of wistful wanting and emotional resonance and the production helps to bring out both with a genre bending sound that falls between commercial pop, and a low key EDM style arrangement that holds you with its tempting build.”
“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.”
“Indie Rock perhaps even more so that most genres, is about capturing an attitude and vibe that establishes both a song and the band’s identity. The Late Greats are new to me, so this is the first track I’ve heard and already, I feel like I have a sense who and what the band is. For me, listening to this song was like getting to know a new person that I straight away think is going to be a very good friend. ”
“There is a definite throwback vibe to the build here, but Apache Grosse and Ajani Jones team up to bring ‘Bad In Threes’ to life.
The cadence and lyrical build sync perfectly with the beat to form a groove that is is easy to ride with. The slow groove deeper in comes at just the right time to make the listener lean in even further and connect.”
“Shelby Carter delivers the West Coast vibes on this Electro Pop track with a performance that is sensual and alluring. Carter’s talent invites the listener in and makes it oh so difficult to look away. The vibe is sexy and dangerous and that combination along with the talent makes this anything but the ‘Worst Way,’ to spend your time. Carter has verve and attitude and the it factor so keep an ear on this rising artist.”
“Charlotte Sands could very well be the next big Pop Punk sensation. ‘Every Guy Ever’ is a track that will speak to anyone who has ever ventured out in the cold dark dating world. Yeah, here it is pointed to idiot guys but we all know it is tough for any gender to find that person who is honest, trustworthy and right for them. The emotion and energy of this track ring true and comes with several amen type moments. ”
“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. ”
“I hear a lot of songs about anxiety, so it is very tough to hit that theme and stand out, but Darragh Chaplin was able to do exactly that with the single, ‘Honestly.’
The writing dives into the mental dynamics of envying others for their so-called ‘normalcy,’ and losing who you are as you try desperately to emulate the societal norms. The delivery has talent and passion and you can feel the struggle in a way that makes the track very relatable no matter if you suffer from anxiety or not.”
“Sometimes the high road is no fun at all and Artikal Sound System has taken that idea tot he next level with ‘You’re An Asshole,’ which tells it exactly like it is.
Far too often the assholes of the world skate along from victim to victim without ever being called to the carpet. This track lays it all out there, and will no doubt be sent as a ‘dedication’ to more than one taker in this world on their way out the door after being found out. ”