“This track has a nostalgic feel by design. Inspired by the ever-changing vibe of their hometown, Nashville, Tennessee, The Criticals unleash a 90’s Indie Rock vibe that certainly differs from what people think about when they first think of Nashville.
The band has long been one of my favorites here at LA on Lock and again they continue to impress with a wide range of style and sound. Just like their hometown.”
“Selfish Pursuits offers an uplifting ode to staying in the fight with ‘Don’t Let Go.’ The Indie Pop track ahs a calm even build and delivery making it easy to focus in on the lyrical message. The arrangement allows for your mind to pause and reflect which is perfect for this kind of emotional song.”
“This is a fun jaunty little track about our place on this world and how we all tend to view things. Andy Frasco & The U.N. gives a little life philosophy in the most entertaining kind of way.
’Try Not to Die’ is solid advice anytime and in any situation and here it comes with some tongue-in-cheek wisdom and a very catchy musical arrangement.”
“Monotronic is a vibe that blends a variety of styles and even musical eras to create an engaging sound. ‘Looking Away’ has an 80’s feel though the track in no way feels dated and certainly delivers a Contemporary feel as well. The result is a timeless Indie Rock track that gets better with every listen.”
“Ripperduski brings a tranquil vibe like a contemporary Jack Johnson. ‘Ghost’ is an honest track with genuine writing to go with the calm vibe created by a talented performance.
This is a song to unwind to, but it also has the lyrical depth to make you stop and ponder your own life’s trajectory. ”
“Featured in the Hulu TV series, Dollface, ‘Talk To Ya’ by artists Elisa Sun has a nice suspenseful beat to instill an edge right from the start.
Sun has a Pop edge to her vocal style though this one leans a little dark than most Pop tracks. There is a bit of an an 80s nostalgia to the overall sound though this Electro Pop number is right at home in today’s musical landscape.”
“Italian singer/songwriter, Damien McFly wrote ‘I’m Getting Older’ as a letter to his younger life. The track is meant to mark his feeling ten years into his music career and despite the personal nature of the track the lyrics have a broader relevance we can all understand and appreciate.
Life’s journey is fraught with ups and downs, and we all need to take some time to celebrate the growth and miles we’ve put behind us. This song does a great job and I dare you to listen because we all should take stock of our lives from time to time. ”
“Alba Rose unleashes some ‘Sunshine’ with her Neo-Soul single. The hard drum beat did get in the way for me at times but her smooth vocals still carried the day and I could feel the golden warmth of the sun on my face as I listened to her performance. ”
“Nothing is quite as dark and gritty as love, or at least love gone awry. Remy Reilly does the ‘Dirty Work’ of unraveling not only the emotions, but the aftermath and toll on self worth when a relationship goes wrong.
The track has an Indie Pop songwriter vibe that almost hits the Americana/Folk realm in tone and style. The talent of the vocals, and an arrangement that dials in and sets the vibe, meshes so perfectly to form a complete well-rendreddsong that hits as hard with subsequent listens as it does the first.”
“Hey, you up?
The same thought process that leads to those kind of texts is what Tessa Dalton is singing about in ‘Hit The Lights.’
This Indie/Alt Pop track is about that poor decision making we all make as we romanticize and gloss over all the red flags visible in the light of day. It’s a fun track that gets ina nd makes its point with talent and precision and doesn’t carry on too long.”
“Two dudes from rural Tennessee wrote a Rock song called ‘Danish Eyes’ in LA, then went across the pond to record it in England. Yeah, you read that right and that’s the absolute beauty of Rock and Roll.
The Criticals are rock throwbacks ina way as they do things most pop stars and fame chasers are unwilling to do, and they do it to stay fresh and on the cutting edge. This isn’t a band that chases trends, but rather embraces who they are and works to create the best version of themselves on a constant basis.
If you’re not listening to The Criticals already, you should be!”
“Hailing from Toronto, Jon Vinyl blends Pop and Cotemporary R&B vibes to create a soothing sound heavy on emotion and talent. ‘Feels Good’ hits like something Ed Sheeran might create after taking a trip to Motown. The song has a nice tranquility that feels like a warm embrace from a dear friend or cherished love one.
My biggest critique is I wish it was longer and had at least one more verse.”
“Shannon Dooley has the vocal chops to do whatever she wants and while this track doesn’t showcase all of her range it does offer a nice emotive experience. Perhaps darker than most Indie Pop, ‘Make Some Noise,’ is a grittier ode track that gets in your mind and makes you think as it entertains.”
“Unfurling smooth R&B vocals with a hint of Pop sensibility, Kailaya invites the listener in to her intimate world. ‘To Be Loved By You,’ brings some old school sultriness to the contemporary world with a heartfelt build of emotion and vulnerability.”
“This track might win the timeliness award, but hey is there ever a bad time for a good Murder Ballad with a nice Caribbean flair? I think not.
Add in the rising sense of rebellion given this countries current events and I this track is surely to resonate in a powerful, yet fun way. Macabre power at its best!”
“Some songs simply grab hold and refuse to let go. Tamar Berk certainly has talent and a pleasing tone though I can’t fully explain why this one stuck to me so fiercely. The delivery and melody are nice, but the hook and lyrical refrain of the song is what grabbed me and refused to let go.
Like an ear worm in the best of ways!”
“I have probably featured Estella Dawn more than any other artis in my time here at LA on Lock. And this is perhaps my favorite track from the talented San Diego artist yet. ‘Detached’ is an in your face anthem of sorts. The vocal tone is emotive and layered and hits you right in the gut. The songwriting is just as rich and developed and the production as always is spot on.
The video is well rendered as well and the imagery help you feel the track that much more.”
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“Sometimes the onlyw ay to feel free is to get outside and rediscover yourself via nature. ‘Bozeman Baby’ is an ode to aedie’s time in Montana and Big Sky Country.
Style wise, the track has an Indie Folk Rock kind of vibe and the result is a timeless sound that would have fit in the 80’s musical landscape as well as it does the current times. A fun easy track that I get something new out of with each listen.”
“Sometimes the painful truth is plain as day and yet we choose to ignore it. Vilhelm Buchaus is all about this dynamic on his new single, ‘My Mistake.’
The track has a 90’s Indie Rock vibe as it showcases a relationship that is doomed from the start even though he is diving in head first with the realization it won’t end well.”
“Mt. Misery delivers a sound that harkens to a simpler time on their latest single ‘Sunday Song.’
Nostalgic is how I’d best describe this track that feels like a cross between an Indep Pop track and a theme song from a 80’s sitcom. It’s the kind of track that simply puts a smile on your lips and you can’t help but sing along to as soon as you know the words.”