Jake Vera, a Dallas musician who can play almost anything and sing his heart out, wants to bring real, raw music back. He wants to make rock and metal cool again, and he is doing it with his latest release. On October 16th, he released “Lost”, a ten-song album that’s all about being real, not overproduced. From the kind creepy vibe of Time to the whole record’s edgy feel, this album is Jake saying what’s up, let’s get into it.

“Welcome”, the first song on the album, starts the album softly, almost like it’s knocking on a door before coming in. The song begins with a simple guitar melody, which makes you think instead of pumping you up. The intro feels like you’re being asked into the singer’s head, not just saying hello to. You get this feeling like you’re in a strange place, not in the real world, but more in your feelings, where you don’t feel so sure of things anymore. The music holds back, which is important; the song doesn’t go wild, then it just flows. which pulls you in and makes you feel close and trusting. By the end, you’re not just listening, you’re right there in the middle of the album’s feelings.

“Wasteland” is the second song on this record. The intro is slow and dramatic and makes that feeling even more depressing and raw. The vocal performance might make you think that this is a somber song in the beginning, but soon afterwards, the tempo picks up. The lyrics talk about feeling emotionally empty, like relationships or dreams that used to mean everything are now just gone. What stands out is that the song treats this not like a big, dramatic breakup, but more like the numb feeling afterward. The music builds slowly, with guitars adding up and drums getting louder, which reflects how anger and regret can pile up without you even realizing it. For listeners, this song will feel really relatable. A lot of people have been in that same empty place inside, looking at what’s left after they’ve lost all hope, and it will make you feel seen.

Next up is the song “Haunted”. The song opens with a synth pop sound that becomes upbeat when the drum beat kicks in. This song isn’t about empty places; it’s about being swamped by memories. The words in the song talk about how the past just won’t leave you alone. Feelings of guilt, errors you’ve made, or people you’ve lost stick around like shadows when it gets dark. The singing sounds close-up and bare, like the singer is confessing something instead of just singing. The music uses echoes and layered voices to get across the idea of being chased by your own thoughts. It makes you uneasy, but truthful, and it makes you look at how memories can be both good and bad.

“Burn”  comes next. The song hits you hard and fast. It kicks off with a sharper, louder sound, driven more by the beat than a vibe. The words talk about falling apart and feeling totally overwhelmed, like you’re about to break. Here, fire isn’t about passion; it’s about damage, what happens when you ignore feelings until they explode. The music is intense and totally fits the theme, with guitars and drums that push the song forward. For anyone paying attention, it’s a release. It’s the song that says all the angry, annoyed things you usually keep inside, which can be very liberating.

“Resentment” isn’t a fast track, but it cuts deep. The song ,starts with a dark feel, showing thought more than anger. The words carefully examine bitterness, showing how resentment quietly hurts trust and how you feel about yourself, instead of exploding. The person telling the story knows the harm it’s doing, but can’t drop it, which makes the song really relatable because we have all been in a similar situation. The simple yet upbeat musicality lets the words hit hard, making each line stand out sadly. People listening might feel uneasy because the song isn’t rough; it’s just hits close to home and it is the brutal truth.

“Inside” goes even deeper. The song starts with a quiet, almost shy, guitar melody before the drum beat sets in, like it’s scared to be so honest. The words talk about feeling alone and the difference between what you feel inside and what you show others. It’s like being stuck in your head, screaming but no one hears. Even the character in the song is asking what people see when they look at him, seeing as they can’t tell what is going on inside them. The simple music makes it feel more raw, and when the song gets louder, it’s like a burst of feelings finally getting out. People who have a hard time explaining how they feel often really relate to this song.

“Time”  is the next song on this album. brings a peaceful, thoughtful mood. The start has a cyclical feel, with patterns that reflect how time slips away without us noticing. The words talk about regret, getting older, and realizing that moments pass quickly, whether you want them to or not. There’s no big drama, just a quiet realization. The music has a steady beat, which backs up the idea that time keeps moving. For the listener, it’s a little sad but also sweet, making you think about things instead of feeling hopeless.

Up next is “Divide,” which brings back the stress, in its words and sound. The song kicks off with loud and quiet parts, showing how people drift apart. The lyrics look at the gaps between folks, beliefs, or even who we are, pointing out that splitting up isn’t always about hating each other, but not getting where other people come from and being scared. The music, with its switching beats or stacked voices, underlines the breaking apart. This song might feel uneasy, but it’s strong because it gets across how tough it is to not be on the same page.

Sitting at number nine is “Collapse”. The song usually kicks off all chill, then just falls apart, just like how folks seem okay until they’re really not. The words are all about burnout and feeling like you’ve failed, admitting that everyone has a breaking point. The music slowly goes crazy, showing the loss of control. If you’re listening, this track can be intense, but it is validating. It’s like a reminder that it’s okay if you fall apart a little.

The concluding song, “Forsaken,” wraps up the album not with a bang, but more like a quiet sigh. It starts simple, giving you room to think. The words deal with feeling left behind, either by someone else or yourself, but there’s a hint of acceptance mixed in with the sadness. The music ends quietly on intention, like the album is breathing out instead of exploding. It leaves you with a bit of a sad feeling, but also a weird sense of peace, like you’ve learned something even in the loss.

Drawing from the DNA of titans like Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin, “Lost” isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a sonic mirror. Jake Vera weaves together the cinematic scale of Thirty Seconds to Mars with the raw, evocative intimacy of Amira Elfeky, creating a record that feels both massive and deeply personal. This isn’t an album built in a lab; it’s a reflection of Jake’s own ideologies and his sharp observations on our rapidly changing world. By seamlessly merging earthy acoustic elements with the high-octane energy of alternative rock, Vera bridges the gap between the organic and the electric. Jake, you’re an awesome artist! You have a cool way of making your own experiences into something everyone can relate to. We’re really excited to see what you do next!

Stream the “Lost” album on Spotify.

Follow Jake Vera here and his socials: Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp, YouTube