Dax - Lonely Dirt Road [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dax is a versatile artist adept at conveying emotion via a variety of genres, but you can always hear and feel the passion fueling his artistry.

’Lonely Dirt Road’ straddles that line between the Rock and the Nashville style of modern Pop Country. The delivery is deliberate and emotive. A few times I craved a touch less production on the vocal side because I have faith Dax could have delivered these emotional words straight up with quite so much production coloring the sound. That said, this is a track that is accessible to all and one easy to feel as much as you hear.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ben Chase - Bad Day To Be A Beer [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ben Chase delivers a memorable country track with “A Cold Beer in the Summer,” capturing the essence of summer in a unique and relatable way. The song explores the dual nature of summer—joyful and vibrant, yet sometimes sweltering and intense—through the metaphor of being a cold beer in the heat. Chase’s storytelling paints a vivid picture of how summer can be both a refreshing escape and a time of introspection. The track is catchy and easy to rock to, with an infectious beat that will have listeners tapping along before they fully absorb the depth of the lyrics. It’s a song that effortlessly blends a fun, laid-back vibe with a more reflective undertone, making it a perfect addition to any summer playlist. Whether you’re in the mood to relax or reflect, “A Cold Beer in the Summer” offers a refreshing take on the season.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

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Emma Kade - End Game [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I rarely like Pop Country offerings because straddling the fence tends to do little more than leave you with a crotch full of splinters. That said, Emma Kade, does it well on this song.

’End Game’ is a throwback of sorts to a time when artists like Shania Twain, Tricia Yearwood, and later Taylor Swift toed that line between Country emotion and Pop sound and structure. Kade has managed to achieve the same brand of engaging song with a contemporary vibe that will no doubt hold crossover appeal. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Karen Lee Batten - Somewhere in Between [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a tricky review for me. I do hear and appreciate the talent, though my personal Country tastes lean more toward the Outlaw and Americana sound, rather than the more Commercial Mainstream cranked out by Nashville. This track however falls in between with a sound that harkens to the 90’s brand of Country Music rarely heard among the Pop heavy and bro-country stars of today.

All that said, Karen Lee Batten clearly has the talent to deliver an emotionally laden song and this single, ‘Somewhere In Between’ does the job she intends.

Fans of of the retro 90s sound will appreciate this track, and who knows maybe Batten can help lead Country music back to a better place.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dayna Reid - This House [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This track from Canadian artist, Dyna Reid leans more into the Mainstream Country sound than I usually connect with, though her rich vocal tone and earnest lyrics kept me invested in the build. ‘This House’ doesn’t break a ton of new ground, though it is delivered with solid talent and rises above the fray by feeling genuine and honest which has long been the bastion of good Country music.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Joh Chase - Avalanche [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“The video here did not add much for me, but then again it didn’t need to because the songwriting and performance is though evoking and provocative enough to carry me forward.

Some things just hit hard instantly, and that was the case for me. on this song. For those needing a comparison, there is a hint of Brandi Carlile, more in the talented defiance and writing than the vocal tone. ‘Avalanche’ is a track that will bury you in the best possible ways. The emotions, the nuance, the strong vocals and emotive power.

If I had to label this one I’d call it Americana, but good, no great, music transcends genre and this track did that for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eric Lee- Happy Holidays [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“At first I didn’t like the song. However, the country infused holiday track began to have musical progression. I like how Eric Lee took time to combine classic Christmas clips and they align with the song. This song will get anyone in the holiday spirit regardless of age and background. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

The HawtThorns - All the Right Reasons [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The HawtThorns are led by the musical talent of wife and husband duo of KP and Johnny Hawthorn. The sound is tough to put in any one genre. Americana probably works best though there are hints of 90’s Country, West Coast singer/songwriter vibes, and even a touch of acoustic Pop.

’All The Right Reasons’ is about looking back and realizing that person you badly wanted and needed isn’t right for you so it is a blessing that things didn’t work out.” ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Josh Rabenold - Easy Money [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Everyone is searching for that easy life ... easy job, easy love, and of course ‘Easy Money.’ But usually, none of it is all that easy to come by, and when it appears to be so, there is always a hidden fee that might cost you even more in the end.

Josh Rabenold unleashes that very dynamic on this well-written, and haunting song that falls between Americana and Alt Country, with just a hint of pop vocals added to the mix.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bad Flamingo - White T-Shirt [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Bad Flamingo are so masterful at making you see a moment through their eyes. They make you smell the room, ear the background noise and most importantly feel that exact feeling they were feeling. This song is dripping in fresh country swagger with production that never overpowers the sultry vocals. With lyrics like “you still fit me like the best damn blue jeans”, this record is poetic in the best ways. Now excuse me whilst I order a pack of white tees.”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on lock blogger)

Starpainter "Let It Pass"

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Taken from his sophomore LP ‘Rattlesnake Dream”, Starpainter brings us along for this ride of letting go and growing pains. Love is sometimes a tug of war and ‘Let It Go’ paints the perfect picture of the push and pull of love.”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Dax - "Dear Alcohol" [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dax hits us with a gut punch of honesty. Wanting to mask our emotions is beyond relatable enough if alcohol isn’t everyones poison of choice. Dax lays is all out for us to see and isn’t afraid to show us the chaos of his mind. With a video equally as beautiful this is one to let your feelings loose to. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Social Drag - Remind Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track from Social Drag feels a bit like a 90s throwback. Could have been released then as Country with an edge, or a Sheryl Crow-esque track about the emotions of failed relationships, but that is not to say the single is dated. It’s not.

And while ‘Remind Me’ doesn’t quite fit the Outlaw or Americana sound of today’s Alt-Country, labels are not what good music is about anyway, and neither are timestamps. This track simply conveys the emotions it was intended with solid talent behind it so for me or anyone to place it in a strict category is a waste of time.

Listen and enjoy, or feel and wallow if you prefer, but either way the intent of the song was established and delivered, and in the the end ... that’s all that matters in the subjective world of expressive art. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Prisoner & Key - Set In My Ways [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Prisoner & Key delivers a brooding track that is best compared to Springsteen taking a turn at an Outlaw Country song.

’Set in My Ways’ has grit and punch and almost slips into an Industrial vibe at times. The vocals are steady and moody with a dark undertone that defines the track overall.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shantaia - Know You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It is not often that a Pop Country track lands for me, but Shantaia deliver this track with an emotive strength that lands with genuine emotional resonance that transcends genre and rises above the fray of Mainstream Country. ‘Know You’ has an almost 90’s Country feel that reminds me of the days when Shania, Martina, Trisha, and Faith dominated the Country landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Natalie Prauser - East Texas [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you think Country Music is defined by the glossy, superficial pablum cranked out of Mainstream Nashville then you probably have no idea of the wide ranging talent that is keeping the traditional sound alive all across the country. Texas is no doubt the hub for Independent artists to not only honor the traditional sound but push it forward and Natalie Prauser is one of those genuine voices doing exactly that.

’East Texas’ offers a lonesome, down on your heels vibe. A classic drinking, or thinking, or simply living in reality song that resonates with heartfelt emotion.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Love Hounds - Lazy Boy [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Punk Country? Yes it is, but there is nothing here that feels anything like the Corporate Mainstream Country most associate with Nashville. Instead Love Hounds, unleashes more of an Outlaw Country sound mixed with heavy Punk influence to give ‘Lazy Boy’ both an edge and a storytelling quality that lands in between genres. But make no mistake, this is not so much a niche type track as it is one that takes the best elements of various genres and turns them into a unique, but broad appeal.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Morgan Myles - Woman Of My Word [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The slow build of this track is well worth the time it takes to unfold. Morgan Myles has a Country feel to her tone, but the deep range and broad emotional impact is far more impactful than most Mainstream Country offers these days. Think of Brandi Carlisle or old school Ronstadt more than the cheesy bedazzled brand of Country Nashville pumps out these days. This track heartfelt and real, and a journey far too many women face at least once in their lives.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eric Lee - Come Break My Heart [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written for his wife, ‘Come Break My Heart’ is a tender and heartfelt ode of love. Could be classified as Country or Americana or simply a songwriter sharing his heart but what you can the track isn’t nearly as important as the emotions fueling it. With a hint of gravel and a nice emotive tone, Eric Lee delivers a track that sticks with the soul. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sydney Lauren - Bucket Hat [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Music is a great tool for turning around a bad mood, and ‘Bucket Hat’ from Sydney Lauren is a song all about turning your mindset around and finding a groove that makes you feel better. The energy and vocal performance are easy to relate to and connect with — making this a track capable of turning around your own day. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger