“Thrills come out with it in such a straight forward fashion here on this single, that it is impossible to look away. Call it verve or boldness or flat out confidence, but the strength of the writing is all the more powerful for the unflinching delivery.
This is a set of lyrics that demands you listen over and over again to pick up all of the thoughts and nuance behind them. ”
“E-Los drops this soulful blend of Hip-Hop and R&B. that just grabs hold of you. The groove is smooth and steady, and the emotion shines through in the performance making the well-written lyrics fell alive. The pace is slow, but that works here because it give you time to feel every word being laid down. ”
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“Imagination! As an idea people might call imagination a flight of fancy best utilized by little kids. But as a principle, imagination is at the heart of everything from innovation to who we are as people.
’Believe In Me’ is a track that is as nuanced and deliberate as you imagine it to be. And the masked duo comprising The Image fall in the same category. The video here is spectacular and I encourage you to listen and watch and decide for yourself what your imagination is telling you to believe in. ”
“I love music that brings a different prospective or angle, and Marques Martin does exactly that here in this track.
Pursuing a life as a creative artist of any kind comes with naysayers and doubters, and ‘Dance Songs’ address that in a smart emotional way rather than the usual angry defiance so prevalent when dealing with so-called haters.
Truth is most don’t hate you for expressing yourself, they simply dismiss the chance you might be good or have a genuine shot to actually carve out your place in the business.
The smooth easy flow of this track is real and intelligent and true to the mindset. ”
“A vivacious track about trying to have a night, and survive the drama or trouble while doing it. Get in the club, stoke a good buzz up, find a sweet little bit of company for the rest of the night, and get out before trouble finds you.
Sounds like a simply concept, but it ain’t always easy to pull off. The flow here has a nice bit of verve and swagger, and the beat production makes the track come alive. This is both a groove and a mood.”
“This track hooked me with vibe and energy. That Latin beat and verve made the track come alive, and while on my first listen I did not always follow lyrically, the video does offer the chance to dive into the words.
Balancing a nice amount of swagger and attitude, the track comes with an extra bit of punch to go with the infectious tempo. ”
“This track just hits different. With a swagger and a bit of fold school vibe laid over the top of a subtle funk that pulls you along.
Much like every album Shiva has released, K.A.L.A. delivers a story. This particular song, ‘Views,’ is the beginning stages of the story where the main characters observes the lack of soul within the world around him. His veil is lifted and he can see people for who they are and he just goes with it. Coasting among the injustice as a part of his process.”
“The beat backing this track is deceptively funky and really drives this flow without overpowering it. Rapta also infuses a bit of funk into this flow in select spots which really drives that hook home and adds an energy that breathes life into the otherwise smooth steady delivery.
’Invitation’ is a single that builds and pulls at you until you have no choice to wrap it all the way around your body and move.”
“The life of an artist is a struggle that the general world doesn’t fully understand or appreciate. The passion of pursuing your dreams and passion, while trying to make a living comes with some tough decision about dreams for practical logic and this flow captures the spirit of that struggle.
A good energy makes the track also fun and entertaining with a lively beat to carry you along. This track was written pre-Covid but the life of musician and other performing artists has only gotten tougher, so please take the passion behind this track and remember to treat the people that provide the soundtracks of our lives right.”
“The ‘INTERNET’ is that proverbial double edge sword offering good and bad. Connecting the world and making it a smaller place but distracting us from the face to face social interactions that make humanity ... well human.
This track bangs with Lauren Sanderson delivering snappy and edgy vocals over a winding beat and production that feels energetic and alive. ”
“This track offers up a take on current events by splicing in sound clips with a smooth groove and a Hip-hop flow that feels genuine emotionally.
DJ Zenas stays with a mellow chill vibe for what is certainly rambunctious and tumultuous times and this juxtaposition makes for an interesting listen and allows for reflection and thought.”
“Powerful! Both in the immediacy of the video, and in the vocal flow that comes straight at you.
Lyrically, the track is strong truth delivered with passion and verve. An old school beat backs the vocal flow and I especially like that retro 70’s flair added into the musical layer. The words and lyrics and overall vibe is contemporary, but the layers add a depth to the history of the systemic racism, generations in the building. The writing and performance is an intelligent thought provoking response and counter statement.”
“This is the very song we all need right now. As a stand alone single, ‘Someday’ would be a fun uplifting listen from a talented artist, but Da$Htone did not stop there. In a video that incorporates all of his community of greater Chicago, Da$Htone enlists the help of everyday folks and that took the spirit of this track to new heights.
The takeaway is a feel-good vibe and an engaging fun track that simply strikes the perfect tone right about now.”
“Dax is no stranger to LA on Lock, nor has ever been one to hold back or stay quiet. His take on what the world needs, ‘BLACK LIVE MATTER’ is a triumph of hope and truth.
Listen and feel these words. Listen and be part of the solution. Listen and demand more from your self, and from society.
Racism is ugly, music and compassion, and society that does not stand for bigotry are beautiful. Kudos for Dax on spreading beauty and love.”
“Breaking up with someone you deeply care about, not because you want to, but because you have to, is a tough situation. Addiction ruins lives in so many ways and here on ‘Sober Kid,’ Selli details such a relationship. Along with the regret that comes after such a necessary act.
The imagery of the video is powerful, and the track itself shines brightest in its quieter, pensive moments. The writing is spot on, and though at times the autotune filters out some of the emotion, the overall performance remains quite gripping.”
“This track is basically a upbeat fuck you. The beat is light, but the words direct. Call it instant Karma for those who treat your bad, and do you wrong.
Chase Martin pulls no punches, but sometimes directness serves the truth just how you need to hear it. The energy of the track makes it stand out and come alive.”
“I’ve been keeping up with Young N for a while now & he never lets me down with the quality of his music. His new EP “Supaplayalistic” is a great listen from start to finish. The old school vibe of the production truly makes the project in my opinion. ”
“Meshing a Hip-Hop vibe with an Electronic sound, Harmoneee drops ‘Don’t Bring Me Down.’ The production and arrangement keep the track moving forward at a tranquil pace that meanders, but never lags.
Lyrically, the track is a positive reaffirmation that tough times, hard times, anxious times — do not have to define you. That you can keep on moving forward and overcome the roadblocks until you get to the other side. ”
“Caspa drops his latest single, ‘No Friends,’ a track that is all about mood and vibe. The 21 year old hails from the Bahamas, and there is a laid back island feel to the flow, but lyrically, the track has a heavier truth about the fakeness that is so pervasive in this world. The vocals are delivered with a steady deliverance, and the emotion comes through without the production side of the track getting in the way of the rawness.”
“Kevin Brown keeps it positive in the face of haters and fake friends. ‘Shine!’ is about keeping your light on bright, despite a world filled with those trying to push you back into the dark.
The production here is lively and energetic, and Brown’s attitude truly does shine through in his vocal flow. This track would make a nice addition to your motivational playlists.”