“Hannah Larkin escaped a religious cult only to find herself on the streets of LA. Music is therapy of a sorts for the exotic dancer turned Pop songstress, and this track, ‘Girls Like Me.’ highlights her journey as much as it does Larkin’s talent.
The songwriting and performance is tender and vulnerable and still manages to also be gritty and genuine.”
“Illiterate Light gives us a languid, thinking man kind of track with ‘Montauk.’
Inspired by the theme of the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the song takes on the emotional and mental game of attempting what you suspect will ultimately go down as a failure.
The track has what I’d called an organized chaos feel and vibe. Which is apt given that is pretty much how our brains function.
The song is long for modern music, and that, along with the deeper subject matter, will probably keep it from reaching hit status. Though it is the kind of Alternative/Indie Rock release that is likely to develop a cult following of very dedicated fans.”
“Halo Kitsch has some fun calling out the fake hypocrisy of those who work so damn hard to be perfect. Perfect and predictable is a manufactured illusion fed these days by social media likes and follows. ‘BETWEEN YOUR TEETH’ is an ode to the real ones, the true friends that will tell you not what you want to hear, but what you NEED to hear.”
“Luci began her career as a an EDM producer and that influence is clear on this track, though the vocal side certainly has Pop sensibilities.
’Loner’ is an emotive and vulnerable track in its best moments, though for me the harder drops and production that turned toward a Future Bass/EDM style got in the way of the emotions at times.
For me this track shined the brightest with Luci’s emotive delivery and less production behind it clouding the song. ”
“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.”
“A smooth R&B groove might not be what you first think of when it come sto an inpirational and uplifting track but Ladi Seoul manages to create exactly that on this track. ‘Eyes On The Prize,’ is about maintaining your focus on the goals you are chasing even when the road gets tough. The vocals are smooth and genuine and come with a rich tone that soothes the soul.”
“Lewis Fitzgerald has the vocal chops to do whatever he wants. Here the South London artist utilizes and Afrobeat to back his performance and while the vocals and music are on point, the lyrical build is sparse and just never quite hit that next level for me. I was intrigued by the talent and sound, but slightly let down by the lack of lyrical substance.”
“Julia Kate will probably draw some comparison to Taylor Swift because people are basically lazy and reach for the name everyone knows at the moment. I suppose botha re Pop songwriters delving into the emotions of humanity but for me, Julia Kate stands out on her own for the way she takes her time and doesn’t rush or try to shoehorn in that glistening hook. She relies on vulnerability and genuine emotion on ‘Beverly Hills’ to reveal the story of her love and hook the listener.”
“Oslo, Norway’s Aiida wastes no time getting right to the pint on ‘Got No Strings.’
The attitude is palpable, and the writing as sharp and pointed as the delivery.
This is pure Pop Gold in the vein of Britney at her best. ”
“Blunt and in your face! Florigineel, Thai Tahi, and Young Buck unleash a hard edged Rap track with teeth. ‘Clowns’ has some old school, Gangsta Rap sensibilities and some new world grit.
Each flow hits and the lyrical punches jab uppercut, and deliver one knockout blow after another. This is the brand of unflinching Rap you remember and the Rap we all need to hear more of because let’s face it the world is a softer place these days and that’s not always a good thing.”
“Most of us long to find that elusive soulmate, and while waiting, we come up with our ideas and ideals of what that person will be like. Joshua Golden taps into those expectations with his tack, ‘I Can’t Wait To Meet You.’
The song straddles that line between Pop and Rap to create a Commercial track that should appeal to a wide audience. The emotion and performance and added snippets of conversation on each end really come together to feel true and genuine.”
“This track is a classic example of so many submission we receive here at LA on Lock. There is clear and obvious vocal talent, and even the arrangement has musical potential, the overall track lacks a clean production and build.
From a few pauses and skips that at least felt unintentional, to the mix, which left the vocals feeling too distant at times this track just didn’t quite realize its full potential for me. And yet, I can tell the artistry and talent it is simply a matter of getting it all put together in a tidier package.”
“Ingrid Avison unleashes her debut single, ‘Time Travelling Cowboy.’ The emotive delivery highlight Avison’s songwriting and vocal talent.
With a slight tremble at times that sells the words well, Avison has that classic Americana vibe that feels like a kinder softer Lucinda Williams mixed with some of the strong emotion of a Brandi Carlile.
I did at times crave a stronger sense of build and escalation from the arrangement.”
“Kylie Rothfield caught the attention of Alicia Keys and afte rthis track you’ll understand why. ‘The Barrel’ is a smooth Alt Pop track dripping with emotion and vocal talent. The track ahs some late 80s or early 90s vibes yet still has a contemporary vibe thanks to the writing and strong emotive performance of Rothfield. ”
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.”
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
“Laila brings a sweet baby girl type of vibe to her vocal delivery on ‘Casper.’ The track takes her lifelong fondness for Casper the friendly Ghost, and turns it on its head with references to the boys that keep ghosting her in real life.
This is a fun, lighthearted way to look at the modern dating world, and the Pop sensibilities s of the track make it a fun and easy listen.”
“I really liked this one after that intro which for me felt out of place with the rest of the groove and smooth delivery.
M’Lynn has a nice sultry vocal delivery that carried me along and I like the beat behind it for the most part though a few of the transitions felt a bit clunky by comparison to the rest of the groove.”
“London-based artist Eden Rain takes an Alt Pop angle on her latest single ‘Taking.’
The track comes from her highly anticipated upcoming EP, ‘Anyway, How Are You?’
The narrative style lyricism works well here though I did crave a more emotive edge given the vocal side is produced to give a low-key distant kind of vibe. Rain does offer a nie look at the complexities of human relationships, while unraveling the intricate dynamics of the people around her.”
“Tiger La Flor tantalizes both with the vocal talent and the imagery in this video. ‘Save a Horse, Break a Heart,’ is certainly better that the cheesy Country hit that so melodramatically urged us to save a horse by riding cowboys. Unlike the talentless duo that had a hit with that contrived bit of lyrical pandering, La Flor has not only talent but a nice bit of Pop sultriness.
A fun romp in or out of the saddle!”