Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart - Sins [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart have a sound that blends roots rock, soul, and Americana. Their latest release ‘Sins,’ is a powerful, grungy blues track that highlights Rebecca’s raw vocals and the band’s gritty, NYC-inspired sound.

There are plenty of things to like here and the talent is undeniable. The production dynamics could have left a more pleasing finish to the tone, but instead they leaned in on that raw grit a bit more than I would have liked and I do wish the song had stronger sense of build or escalation. That said, I would love to hear more music from this collection of talented performers.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nicki Knightz - Step With Me (ft. JoeJas) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“The video is simple but works well witht he lyrics and vibe. This track was a mixed bag for me overall. I dig the writing and the passion put into the delivery of these flows, thought he staccato beat and start and stop feel on that side left the build feeling chaotic in a disorganized kind of way for me.

Both Nicki Knightz and JoeJas convey the emotion well in their flow and I admire their talent but this arrangement felt like a bit of mess for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ames Harding & the Mirage - The Governor's Dead (Official Music Video) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track might win the timeliness award, but hey is there ever a bad time for a good Murder Ballad with a nice Caribbean flair? I think not.

Add in the rising sense of rebellion given this countries current events and I this track is surely to resonate in a powerful, yet fun way. Macabre power at its best!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Detached

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ingrid Avison - Time Travelling Cowboy [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“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.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Quiz - The Conversation [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The world today is full of anger, hate, a and unwarranted entitlement. Quiz takes the road less travelled with the track ‘ The Conversation’ part of an album titled ‘Grateful.’

The album titles comes though in the conversation of this song as Quiz sows good vibes and gratitude. The flow here is one of humanity and healing and it’s time we all turned our focus to such pursuits as we try our best to tune out the hate and dissent so many feed on in these times.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

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

IzyBeats x Stonebwoy - LOVE [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Izybeats and Stonebwoy collaborate here to bring this Afrobeat Reggae track alive. There is a Pop vibe to go with the track making ‘LOVE’ a genre bending success that should resonate with Commercial audience quite well.

The air of sultry mystery, and an infectious beat are hard to turn away from. This is the kind of track you can hit repeat and listen to over and over again .”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

MOTHICA - Another High [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“MOTHICA unleashes an honest reflective style of fury on ‘Another High.’ The cycles of addiction are something most of us can relate to, though MOTHICA distills the poison down to a drinkable elixir.

Truth, honesty, vulnerability fuel every line on this Al Pop gem. There is a lot to unpack on this track, so add this one to your playlists and listen when you need to better understand your own shortcoming or the jacked up world around you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Hey Gina [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Estella Dawn is one of my favorite artist that submits to us here at LA on Lock. Dawn always delivers Pop gold with a sultry sexy side and evocative well-written lyrics. I will remain in her corner advocating for the world to sit up and pay attention because she is certainly an artist that deserves a meteoric rise.

’Hey Gina’ fits the accolades above and offers a nice energetic groove that has a touch of Bruno in the beat.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Paris Pick - Get My Baby Back [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Paris Pick is the Yukon’s Pop princess and this Retro Soul track will only add to her star power. ‘Get My Baby Back’ is delivered in a sing song vibe that certainly has influence in the doo wop era but the this track, about dealing with the losses life hands out, still manages to feel fresh and contemporary in style. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ice Meez - Tomorrow [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ice meez unleashes a track that is personal in nature but also speak to all of us. ‘Tomorrow’ is not promised and it is vital we embrace the present rather than spend all our focus chasing the future. The video for this track is well done and effectively adds to the emotions of the track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lily Kershaw - Call Whoever This Makes You Think Of (Except Your Narcissist Ex) [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“LA singer-songwriter Lily Kershaw offers a poignant reminder to connect with the important people in our lives on her new single, ‘Call Whoever This Makes You Think Of (Except Your Narcissist Ex).’

The vocal style is reminiscent of Brandi Carlile and the two talented artists share an impressive range as wella s emotive delivery that hooks the heart.

Kershaw’s upcoming album, Pain & More, will be released September 13th. and promises to be dripping in the emotions of humanity. ‘I’ve been struggling for so long,’ says Kershaw, who wrote and recorded it over two years. ‘This record is like a new cycle of my life.’”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CYRIL x Dean Lewis - Fall At Your Feet [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“CYRlL is back on the heels of his massive hit ‘Stumblin’ In’ is back alongside Dean Lewis. This pair of Aussies gives us ‘Fall At Your Feet’ a big soaring Electro Pop track that grabs hold of your heart and refuses to let go. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Goldie - The Angel And The Saint [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Goldie channels the spirit of freedom and perseverance on ‘The Angel and The Saint.’ The track has a FLorence and the Machine vibe for sure but you can’t discount the influence Goldie’s idols Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton had on creating her sound. There is an edge and attitude and empowerment to this track and the imagery of the video is pretty dang enjoyable as well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cxtotheworld - My Story [Music Video review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cxtotheworld isn’t looking for perfection but progression, and that refrain leads the way on his track ‘My Story.’

The lyrical build is full of confidence but in a very real and genuine way. The hook is catchy but the verses is where the power of this lyrical build lays. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Fiona Grey - Beer Drunk Glory Days [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Fiona Grey was voted LA’s Best Pop Artist by LA Weekly back in 2018 and time has only honed her skill and craft as both a songwriter and a performer. The imagery of this video is as powerful as the writing, and the emotional journey of this track is one that you can feel in every note. Grey is a star, but one that clearly is patient enough to do it her own way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

44Phantom - Kansas [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“44Phantom doesn’t mention ‘Kansas’ anymore. To find out why you will have to take this emotional journey with the Grunge influenced Alternative Rocker out of Oklahoma.

The song unfurls like a well-written short story in that you will deeply connect with the emotional plight as wella s the musical build.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jellyka - Paper Game [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Jellyka is a Belgium-based producer/songwriter/musician who began his career in the early ’90. ‘Paper Game’ has some throwback vibes but manages to feel contemporary in its dark, brooding vibe. THis is one of those track that is mood dependent for me but when I want to wallow a bit this one is a perfect accompaniment.

The vimagery of the video is basic, but again fits the mood quite well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Allergies x Dynamite Mc - One Time [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Allergies and Dynamite Mc team up to give us this smooth retro groove that is a vibe start to finish.

The writing has pop, and the delivery distills the words with passion into a soulful libation that will quench your thirst. ‘One Time’ has a vintage vibe, but avoids feeling reminiscent simply for the sake of nostalgia.

The flow has a tangible feel that feels like settling in for a long conversation with a tried and true friend.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger