“Cxtotheworld isn’t looking for perfection but progression, and that refrain leads the way on his track ‘My Story.’
The lyrical build is full of confidence but in a very real and genuine way. The hook is catchy but the verses is where the power of this lyrical build lays. ”
“Fiona Grey was voted LA’s Best Pop Artist by LA Weekly back in 2018 and time has only honed her skill and craft as both a songwriter and a performer. The imagery of this video is as powerful as the writing, and the emotional journey of this track is one that you can feel in every note. Grey is a star, but one that clearly is patient enough to do it her own way.”
“44Phantom doesn’t mention ‘Kansas’ anymore. To find out why you will have to take this emotional journey with the Grunge influenced Alternative Rocker out of Oklahoma.
The song unfurls like a well-written short story in that you will deeply connect with the emotional plight as wella s the musical build.”
“Jellyka is a Belgium-based producer/songwriter/musician who began his career in the early ’90. ‘Paper Game’ has some throwback vibes but manages to feel contemporary in its dark, brooding vibe. THis is one of those track that is mood dependent for me but when I want to wallow a bit this one is a perfect accompaniment.
The vimagery of the video is basic, but again fits the mood quite well.”
“The Allergies and Dynamite Mc team up to give us this smooth retro groove that is a vibe start to finish.
The writing has pop, and the delivery distills the words with passion into a soulful libation that will quench your thirst. ‘One Time’ has a vintage vibe, but avoids feeling reminiscent simply for the sake of nostalgia.
The flow has a tangible feel that feels like settling in for a long conversation with a tried and true friend.”
“The video is visually appealing and will have boys and men alike lined up to watch the obvious attempt to district with sexuality. Musically, the track has obvious talent, but isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel.
’Ask And You Shall Receive’ is pleasing enough in tone and structure, though the song does not offer enough uniqueness or originality to be more than a flash.
Overt eye candy aside, this song simply uses a tried and true Pop formula to carve a temporary mark on the musical headboard.”
“I had a mixed reaction to jocelvn’s new release, ‘spiral.’ The vocal talent and emotive delivery had me captivated, as did the subtle beauty of the video and imagery.
The writing was strong as well, though I was not a huge fan of the way the track wound down and for me the ending felt unnaturally abrupt, as if it had been cut off. Though overall, it was the production dynamics that I struggled with. The track felt overproduced and for my taste it would have been better served to simply let the vocal talent and emotion carry the song.
As always, let me know in the comments what you think? Did I miss the point of this one or was the talent diminished by the production and abrupt conclusion?”
“Alexander Stewart digs deep into the emotional depths of his mind to deliver this Pop anthem. Honest and real are the trademarks of the lyrical power, and Stewart’s vocal talent and range help deliver it with precision.
This is a rising artist to keep an eye on as he continues to develop and grow. I expect big things but already, ‘How Dare You’ feels like a huge hit.”
“I really liked the strong writing and vocal talent here thought he production got inthe way of the experience for me at times. THe emotion and songwriting speak to me but the embellishments and various backing vices took away in places.
This is a thinking, pondering track that reveals its layers slowly, so give it a few listens and settle in with your town thoughts. The visuals of the video compliments the vibe quite well.”
“The dating world is a chaotic scene these days and A-Zal has some phone with the ups and downs of the modern dating scene on his track, ‘Phonebook.’
This energetic Pop track has a nice hook and rhythm that is hard not to fall in and sing along with. The higher register doesn’t often work for me but the tone and energy of this one was the rare exception in that regard as I couldn’t help but start moving along to the cadence and beat. ”
“Dude It’s Nolan utilizes multiple voices to deliver this track, but each one of them hits with passion and precise timing. The beat and production pair perfectly with the intensity of the lyrics.
Hard hitting and sharp at every turn, ‘Long Way’ is a song that proves these talented dudes are in fact, only a short way from breaking out in a very big way.”
“The emotions runs strong and clear in ‘Should Be Us,’ from maryjo.
A track about watching your ex move on faster than you are, this song captures that stunned bewilderment and the questions such a spark can conjure. Especially if the prior relationship went on for a long time and you are left wondering how much this new person truly knows about your ex.
This feels like Commercial gold, and I expect to hear this one a lot this summer and beyond. Get in early and ride the wave.”
“Joh Chase is fast becoming one of my favorite submitters to LA on Lock. A little bit Sheryl Crow, a little bit Brandi Carlile, and a wholelot star in the making, Chase simply grabs the torch from those contemporaries and takes a turn holding it high.
’When I got This Place’ is pure LA, yet still has that universal spirit that will carry it far beyond the sun rays of Southern California. A groove and vibe that simply wraps around you like a lovers embrace after a hard day.”
“Alexander Stewart delivers this passionate Pop track about heartbreak and how we handle it.
’Broken By You’ is a wonderfully rendered track detailing a relationship when one side doesn’t want to let go, but understands the other person cannot stay. A song of taking the higher road despite having your heart shattered and delivered with emotion and talented precision.”
“Jade LeMac toes the line between love and hate in her latest single, ‘Pick A Fight.’ The track has a decided Pop edge, but definitely comes with a lyrical sharpness as well that will make you think long after that infectious beat and chorus have subsided.
The simply, yet effective video works perfectly to deliver the punch of the songwriting.”
“Dan Johnson boldly sings the line ... I’d rather be a fool tomorrow, than a coward any day ... in his new single, ‘Along The Way,’ and in that simple brilliance, can be found both an idea and an ideal on how to live life.
Putting yourself out there, risking yourself in the name of love is dangerous and leaves us all vulnerable. Though of course not doing so, not allowing others to truly know who and what we are, leaves us isolated and alone. This uplifting track is a reminder to us all — you can’t truly live without taking some risks along the way.
The earmark of a great song is playability. A good song you can listen to a few times and be content, but a great song soars to life and compels you to listen time and time again. And with each listen you feel the emotion and come to a personal understanding that very well may transcend beyond the artist’s original intent as you layer in your own experience with the sentiments being sung. This is that type of song.
The genre is tricky here ,as the track defiantly and artistically straddles a many different lines. Big and theatrical. the single comes with elements of Indie Rock, Americana, and Gospel. At times it conjured thoughts of the Lion King with the chants and uplifting mantra that would be right at home on any Broadway stage or musical soundtrack.
But gerne is a marketers game anyway. For we consumers the lines are simple ... not for me, good, or outstanding.
And this track lands square in the latter category for me. ”
“Seventeen is a sandwich year. The euphoria that comes with the freedom of a driver’s license has faded and the big bastion of adulthood, eighteen, is still off on the distant horizon so it is no wonder seventeen is the time or restlessness and yearning.
’Fake ID,’ by Cloe Wilder captures this with Pop perfection.
The track, and accompanying video, are fun and entertaining, but they also harbor a hint of darkness as the naiveness of childhood is pushed aside by the hungry lust for adulthood.
Of course everything in this world comes with a price which most of us do not learn until it is too late. This track layers int he fun and the the education these experiences give us as we transition in life.”
“Stela Cole has a smoky brand of vocals that are emotive and powerful yet still vulnerable and sultry at times. There is a hint of gravel that reminded me of Miley but the overall style felt unique enough for Cole to avoid any direct comparisons.
’Die Hard’ is about those bad or at least flawed relationships that are never quite destructive or absolute enough for a clean end and break so it begins to feel like a bad loop of break-ups and make-ups. ”
“Daniel Ellsworth’s new track, “After All’ hot me like a psychedelic Elton John. Sure, Elton had his days of altered state and had some out there songs but Ellsworth hasn’t created anything derivative here in his vibe. Was more of a feeling for me with hints of Elton John and Grateful Dead as a loose connector to the sound.
The video is also trippy by Ellsworth and his band the Great Lakes also infuse emotion and a strong sense of build in the track so besides the talent I was pulled in and took the full ride.”
“Flowtone unleashes a slow build on ‘Eats Me Alive,’ a vibe-heavy Indie Rock track.
If Coldplay and the Chili Peppers merged for one night, the result might sound something like this. We all have those things that eat at us from the inside out and this track not only delivers that emotion lyrically, but also in the overall tone.”