If you are someone that is in tune with the Milwaukee music scene today(particularly the Milwaukee Hip Hop scene), then you have most likely heard of Lake. He is one of the most influential figures in the Milwaukee music scene right now; he has done so much for so many artists in the city, and has helped push the scene to a new level over the last couple of years. Lake has billed himself as a dot connector and a curator for the Milwaukee Hip Hop scene. He has helped promote so many talented artists and is constantly putting on shows to highlight the best talent in the city. I am very appreciative of Lake, as he has put me on to multiple excellent Milwaukee artists recently, including 2hi(if you have been reading this blog over the last few months, you know about my appreciation for him). In addition to helping push the Milwaukee music scene along behind the scenes, Lake also makes his own music. He has been putting music online for a long time now(his Spotify catalog goes back to 2018), but he has been honing his craft over the last couple of years. Lake has already put out 5 singles this year, including three that he has stated in on a project that is set to be released later this year. I wanted to talk about these three singles, as they are all of high quality and are a sign of something great that is to come. That said, here is how I feel about those three aforementioned singles. Please let me know in the comments below how you feel about Lake and his new music, and also comment the names of some other up-and-coming artists you know of that I should check out!

‘U Wouldn’t Understand What I’m Going Thru’ is the first single dropped by Lake in 2023. This is a melancholy R&B Trap track with a very relaxed and smooth sound. The melody for this track feels warm and cold at the same time; there is something about it that feels cozy and pleasant, but there is also a very somber undertone to it that is made even more prevalent through the lyricism of the track. I enjoy how the bass buzzes and pounds at certain points in the track, as it adds to the emotional element of the song. Lake fluctuates his tone throughout this track; the high-pitched and strained vocals he sings the chorus with are made even more apparent because of the lower and more subdued tone he sings with during the verses. In ‘U Wouldn’t Understand What I’m Going Thru,’ Lake is stating that he is going through tough times and that he feels like his former significant other just does not get him. He does not think they would believe him if he tried to explain how he feels, so he just keeps to himself. ‘Fire Safety’ is the second single released by Lake in 2023. This song has an Emo Trap sound that is very reminiscent of the mid to late 2010s. When I hear this track, I immediately think of early music from artists like Lil Peep or Trippie Redd. This song has a solemn and restrained melody that is driven by an electric guitar riff. Even though the melody is so easygoing, it has a heavy feeling because of how gloomy it sounds. The beat for this song is light and relaxed, which makes it pair with the melody very nicely. Similar to ‘U Wouldn’t Understand What I’m Going Thru,’ Lake shows off how wide his vocal range is on ‘Fire Safety.’ For most of the track, he sings with a low-pitch and serene nature. Because of this, the segments of the song where he sings with a lofty and strained tone are more pronounced, making the song feel extra powerful. On ‘Fire Safety,’ Lake is singing to a significant other and wondering what they see in him. He does not see himself in a positive light a lot of the time, and he does not understand why they would want to be with him. He really appreciates the fact that they want to take the risk on him. ‘I’m Right Here’ is the newest single released by Lake. This song has a sound that brings it back to the Pop-Punk music of the early 2000s. It is inspired by artists like Mayday Parade, Good Charlotte, or Sum 41. This song has a fast-paced melody that has a fresh and welcoming sound. The melody has a gritty and tough sound, which goes perfectly with the quick and tough nature in which the drums are played. I loved the distorted and harsh nature that the mix on the instrumental has, as it contrasts the bright sound of the melody. Lake’s vocals on this track are very harsh and raspy, and they sound great on this raucous instrumental. This is the kind of song that would be super fun to be seen played live because of the brash and bold energy it has; I can imagine the mosh pit in the crowd being super rowdy and fun to be a part of. On ‘I’m Right Here,’ he sings to his former significant other that he still wants them and thinks about them. He wonders if they still want anything to do with him because he can not get them off his mind no matter how much he may want to.

Although most people in the Milwaukee music scene probably know Lake for his ability to promote and highlight other artists, it is easy to see that he is a super-talented rising star in his own right. Lake deserves just as much credit for the music he makes as he does for the music he promotes, as he is one of the more unique and skilled musicians in Milwaukee right now. Through these three singles, it is extremely apparent how eclectic of a musician Lake is. All three of these songs have a different and distinct sound, and they are all super high quality.  From his lyricism to his vocal abilities to the diversity in his music, everything about Lake’s musical acumen shines in these three singles. Lake is just as good of a musician as he is as a dot connector and curator, and I am excited to listen to the full project that these singles are on when it comes out.