When one thinks of Milwaukee music, they usually think of high-energy Hip Hop. The city has become known for its rowdy Rap music over the last couple of years. If you are active on social media, I am sure you have come across it. Milwaukee is full of talented musicians, though, who don’t go with this style of music. There is also a pretty active Alternative Rock scene that definitely deserves more attention. One Alternative artist from Milwaukee who really stands out is Lake. Even among the other artists in the same genre here, he has a sound and style unlike his peers’. He is someone whom we have followed at Eastside Vibes for a while now, as his music and presence have stood out. Lake has been very prolific over the last couple of years, having put out five projects since 2023(a couple of which have been covered on this blog). Earlier in 2025, he dropped a joint EP with Gucco called The Worst Blunt Rotation Ever, which incorporates Alternative Rock, Emo Trap, and even HyperPop. He also put out an album called The World Is Ending and You Blocked My Number, which also has elements of Alternative Rock, Hip Hop,  and Indie Pop. Below, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite songs from The World Is Ending and You Blocked My Number, then give some overall thoughts on it as well. Please let me know in the comments what you think of The World Is Ending And You Blocked My Number, and also comment the names of any other artists I should check out!

GUARDIAN ANGEL

If you check out the streaming numbers, ‘Guardian Angel’ has emerged as the top song from this project so far. It is pretty easy to see why this is the case. As someone who used to have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with Nirvana(and Grunge in general), this is a song that I really enjoy. The guitar riff that drives this one has a melancholy sound that reminds me of Autumn for some reason. The distortion on the riff makes the melody so chunky and heavy. This guitar riff is just so reminiscent of the 1990s, and makes me want to headbang. The drums of this song have a methodical pace, but the way that they crash adds to the emotion of the track. Lake’s vocals throughout most of the song are pretty calm and low, but at times he raises his pitch, which gives the song a ton of life. On ‘Guardian Angel,’ Lake sings about meeting someone who seems to have the ability to drag him out of despair when he is with them. 

POTENTIAL SPAM CALL

A lot of my favorite music from Lake in the past has sounded directly inspired by early 2000s Pop Punk music. ‘Potential Spam Call’ is a song that completely fits into that mold. In fact, if I were to show this to a random person with no context, I am sure they would think it’s from an early 2000s skater band. Everything about this song has that vibe. The guitar riff has the kind of distorted tone that is so reminiscent of bands like Sum 41 or Blink-182. The drums are just as intense as the melody. The only thing is I wish this song were longer, because it hits so hard. It feels like a flash in the pan. Lake’s vocals on ‘Potential Spam Call’ are very emphatic and tough. His singing on this one is super strong and range, which really feeds into the energy of the track. On ‘Potential Spam Call,’ Lake sings about trying to contact someone he used to love who will not speak to him anymore. 

DRIVE

Compared to the sound of the rest of the album, ‘Drive’ is a song that feels a bit softer or more subtle. It does not necessarily have the same Punk Rock tendencies as the other songs here. Instead, this one goes in more of an Indie Pop direction. The melody for this track is actually pretty shimmery and sleek. Instead of having a jagged guitar tone that drives it, this one is driven by synths. The tone of the melody is pretty cold, making the song feel forlorn. The beat on ‘Drive’ is upbeat and groovy. It almost gives the song a Dance music sound. At times, the drums become a little off-kilter, which adds texture to the track. ‘Drive’ has some of the best vocals of the project. Lake really shows his range on this one. I especially like it when he hits the higher notes and strains a bit, as it matches the energy of the melody so well. On ‘Drive,’ Lake sings about trying to forget about and move on from someone he had a rocky relationship with. 

CAN OF PAINT

Similar to ‘Drive,’ ‘Can Of Paint’ has a sound that is pretty unlike the rest of the project. In fact, I would say that this one is easily the least unlike the others. Whereas most of this album seems fueled by retro sounds from the early 2000s, this one has more of a Soundcloud Emo-Trap feel to it. The guitar riff that drives ‘Can of Paint’ is somber yet warm. Somehow, it feels down and inviting at the same time. The beat on this track for the most part has a pretty familiar Emo-Trap pacing to it. Towards the end of the track, though, it speeds up and takes on a more Poppy sound. Due to the nature of the beat, the vocals on ‘Can of Paint’ take on a sing-rap cadence. Lake’s flow goes well with the pacing of the song. Like the melody, his tone is dim but also kind of soothing. On ‘Can of Paint, Lake sings about realizing a friend of his does not have his best interest in mind and feeling like he wasn’t worth much to them. 

As I stated in the introduction, Lake is an artist who really stands out amongst his peers in Milwaukee. He wears his influences on his sleeve, but always pushes his style of music to incorporate modern elements to make it stand out. This sentiment is so evident on The World Is Ending And You Blocked My Number. This album feels like an ode to some of the music Lake probably grew up listening to. A few of the songs in particular feel so incredibly inspired by the early 2000s or late 1990s. If you are a fan of any of the Skate Punk or Grunge bands, you would dig this project. The World Is Ending And You Blocked My Number does not just strictly pay homage to those eras of Punk Rock music. It modernizes them in a way that feels natural in today’s music landscape. Aside from Punk Rock, the album has elements of Dance Pop and Hip Hop as well to spice things up. I feel like Lake is coming into his own as a vocalist as well. He knows how to use his vocals to evoke emotions in his songs, which really makes them stand out. Lyrically, Lake has always worn his heart on his sleeve, and this project is no different. He talks about related instances regarding relationships and self-worth, letting the listener. Overall, The World Is Ending And You Blocked My Number is a cool project for anyone who loves Alternative Music. He is keeping this sound alive and well in Milwaukee, which is awesome to see.