Chevy Quis - Big Ben [Review]
Rating: 3 out of 5
“Chevy just made one to send the clubs up all 2023. This record is effortless but still witty. ”
Ariana Fig - Cherry Coke [Music Review]
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“I love the use of good imagery to set a scene and convey the world in a tangible way. Ariana Fig uses ‘Cherry Coke’ as a substitute for alcohol and addiction the way those in recovery find a new fixation but these new infatuations rarely fulfill the user in the same way leading to a constant struggle and this song highlights that so well both in the writing and emotive delivery. Fog’s tone is talented but also vulnerable and genuine and you can feel every word. ”
Alex McArtor - Oxygen Thief [Music Video Review]
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“Alex McArtor has a vocal richness and emotes an emotional depth that lends this track a wisdom beyond her twenty-one years. Which goes to show when artists tap into their inner-self and infuse those emotions that nothing is impossible or off the table regardless of age or circumstances. Written in Laurel Canyon, this is a perfect addition to the rich history of music born from the Southern California hotspot. ”
Caroline Romano - St. George [Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“The end of a relationship can feel like the death of a loved one and going through the such grief takes time. Often we eventually emerge on the other side stronger and only then can we appreciate what we once had. This track follows that pattern and Caroline Roman’s talent vocals sell the story as much as the artful writing. ‘St George’ is a song with heart, and genuine humanness to its spirit. ”
Krrysopher - Homesick [Music Review]
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“This a is stunning debut from a powerful and talented vocalist and musician. Krrysopher is a Romanian superstar in the making. The singer/songwriter was finalist of the tv show Superstar 2021 and this captivating track make same wonder how she did not win. ‘Homesick’ is a track that lands with power and emotion and left me awed by the writing and delivery.”
Todd Binder - Real Love [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Few things in this world are as baffling as love. Todd Binder delivers this track with the rattled passion of a man trying to unravel his heart and find meaning in the world while being totally confused what everything means. ‘Real Love’ will to that to a person.”
ZZ Ward - On One [Music Video Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“ZZ Ward has the vocal chops to do anything she damn well pleases. Much like P!nk, you never quite know what style you are going to get with a ZZ Ward track and ‘On One’ gives your several in one neat package.
There is high energy Blues, a cutting Rock edge, and a sprinkling of a Pop brand of Hip Hop all within this single song. The energy comes straight at you and the power is evident on every note. And the video is a fun ride as well!”
Holly Wild - Hard To Love [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Delivered in a classic Indie Pop sound, Holly Wild unleashes ‘Hard To Love,’ a track about struggling to love someone that isn’t as easy to be in a relationship with as perhaps they appear from the outside. The track is a lesson to us all, as we sometimes take things for granted or hold back from the ones who love us the most. Then again sometimes we just have to go with the clues others present and realize they are takers who are never going to give what we need.
This is a track that can be seen both ways and each listen offers something new. A definite add to several of my Spotify playlists. ”
Ships Have Sailed - Edge Of An Ocean [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“The soft edges of this track held me close and kept me leaning in as the emotions washed over me. Ships Have Sailed offers a timeless Indie Rock sound that grips the listener with ease. This song was written for the singer’s then unborn daughter and is meant to offer a peaceful bit of advice and guidance that we all can stand to be reminded of from time to time.
’Edge Of An Ocean’ is a great metaphor for life and the different waves and challenges we face. ”
Media House - Car Sales Men [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“The melody and build here offer a timeless sound that honestly could come from any of the last three decades. The writing is sharp and the vocals sell the emotion quite well.
Media House is a band that sort of falls between the genre cracks as they have a diverse sound in the two tracks I have heard, This, ‘Car Sales Men’ being my favorite of the two though I will definitely be checking out more of the band’s work as both submissions were quality. Don’t sleep on the lyrical metaphor here that is very cleverly crafted.”
Diane Gentile and the Gentle Men - Walk With Me featuring Alejandro Escovedo [Music Video Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Americana can be a tough genre to pin down but this track from Diane Gentile and Austin songwriting stalwart, Alejandro Escoveda might very well set the bar for the genre. Poetic and emotional lyrics over a steady heartfelt delivery that hook the listener in every way. ‘Walk with Me’ offers timeless sound and talent with perfectly matched imagery for the video.
The track offers hints of Emmylou and Springsteen with an ode to Dylan on the side.”
Madisyn Gifford - For Shaughnessy [Music Video Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Written for her best friend, ‘For Shaughnessy’ is a tribute to friendship, empathy, and the power of emotional connection. Madisyn Gifford never meant this track to be released but when she shared it with her friend they decided together that this was a song that needed to be shared and heard by others.
The power of friendship is clear and so is the humanity of the writing as well as Gifford’s incredible vocal talent.”
Edwin Arzu - Stay [Review]
Rating 5 out of 5
“Edwin Arzu returns after his summer slow burner ‘Vices’ with ‘Stay’, a brooding raw plea to a lover asking the honest question “if the sky falls... would you stay?”. Stay is honest, poetic yet unmistakably grounded, with vocals that feel like an intimate conversation.
Arzu is set to deliver is much anticipated debut project in the fall of this year. Until then, we have stay to soundtrack every late night think session. ”
WUKASA - Party People [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“WUKASA gives a pure Electro Pop gem with ‘Party People.’ Lyrically the track is swaggering ode to confidence and just stomping forward no matter what ‘s in your way though musically the track’s dream like synths and soft steady rhythm almost belies a false bravo that makes me think the track the narrator of the story is trying to convince themselves as much as anyone else. The duality of that felt brilliant to me as that is how most of our minds work no matter what we display for the world. ”
Scott Fisher - Hour of Great Contempt [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“You down for some jazzed-up Indie Rock with vocals that conjure thoughts of Tom Petty? Then you my friends are in luck because that is exactly what Scott Fisher gives you with his track, ‘Hour of Great Contempt.’
And lyrically, the track will give you plenty to ponder as you listen over and over again to pick up on the meaning and nuance. I won’t give you my personal take here because this is the kind of track best digested by each individual, but trust me the time spent will not be wasted.”
Vilhelm Buchaus - Nothing At All [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Breakups are complex and hard, no matter the circumstances and often the wounded parties pretend as if they never knew each other to cope and move on.
Vilhelm Buchaus tackles this dynamic with the powerful lyrics of ‘Nothing At All.’ A soaring ode to heartbreak and resiliency and trying to pick up the pieces. This Commercial leaning singer/songwriter vibe has an Ed Shereen meets Taylor Swift kind of vibe and is universal enough to reach anyone who has suffered through the grief of a breakup.. ”
Estella Dawn - Didn't Occur To You [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Estella Dawn is a favorite of ours here at LA on Lock. Hailing from San Diego this Southern California Pop star never fails to impress with her thoughtful lyrics and emotional delivery. ‘Didn’t Occur To You’ lands in-between a songwriter/country vibe and a Pop diva standard with soaring vocals to showcase Dawn’s talent and range.”
YGM Phat "Nun Generic" [Review]
Rating: 3 out of 5
“YGM delivers a menacing hype anthem that lets you into his world of mayhem. It’s fly, its mean and its raw... and sometimes that all you need. ”
Tom Grennan "Before You" [Review]
Rating 3 out of 5
“Tom Grennan delivers a wonderfully melancholic dance record thats will leave tears in your eyes as you sway on the dance floor. Taken from his latest LP ‘How Does It Feel’.”
$loMoneyXL - "Waldo" [Music video Review]
Rating 4 out of 5
“$loMoneyXL has us riding on his wave with the hypnotic Waldo. Smooth yet aggressive this is one of those records that just feels like the drive with your friends before the function. With its infectious hook $lo has the soundtrack to your next ATM withdrawl.”