Midnight Til Morning - Heart on Fire [Music Video Review]

“You might know the band Midnight Til Morning from the Netflix series, Building the Band or perhaps you are hearing them for the first time here on this post. Either way expect to hear a lot more out of this talented group. ‘Heart on Fire’ is an uptempo track that is timeless in sound and style.

From the 70’s to today, tight vocals and charged musicianship has had a place in popular music and this band is right in line with their talent and dynamic stage presence.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

avalon - sydney [Music Review]

“avalon wrote this about her childhood best friend years after cutting her out of her life. It is an apology to ‘sydney’ but also a mixed bag of emotions. Part tribute, part, goodbye she never said, and part love letter for a meaningful relationship that will forever be part of avalon.

The vulnerability is tangible, and the talent undeniable.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Drunk & Messy [Music Video Review]

“Love can be volatile and we’ve all either been in a ‘Drunk &Messy’ type of relationship or know someone who has. Estella Dawn is an artist we regularly feature here at LA on Lock and that is for good reason. This Indie Pop starlet continues to churn out meaningful songs showcasing a variety of styles and emotions. This track is but another feather in her artistic cap.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jake Thistle - Alone, Together [Music Review]

“Jake Thistle taps into the Pop side of Indie Rock with hsi single , ‘Alone Together.’ Inspired by a stretch of New Jersey turnpike that gives him industrial smokestacks on one side and the gleaning Manhattan skyline on the other, the track is about how we often can be two things at once or find ourselves in situations that are.

The song is performed with emotive brilliance and is one you can quickly sing along with as you tie the emotions to your own everyday life. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

B.Knox - History Repeats [Music Review]

“B. Knox talks about the cycles of life and how they tend to repeat over and over again just as history itself does. ‘History Repeats’ is a straightforward Indie Rock track that almost feels familiar because of the many ideas and thoughts expressed that we all experience. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lex Leosis - sayso [Music Video Review]

“Hailing from Canada and standing 6’2 Lex Leosis is used to standing out. And now she’s turning Hip-Hop stereotypes u[side down with her deep voice and wild curls. A self-proclaimed recoevering people pleaser, she dedicates ‘sayso’ to others who have went against their gut for the benefit of others. Especially women and queer folks who’ve carried the weight of others, and now must learn to build boundaries and reclaim space for themselves.

Beyond this, the track has a gnarly infectious beat and an undeniable rhythm that will leave you singing along long after the last note has faded.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BlackDiamond x Compton AV - Who's Next [Music Review]

“BlackDiamond and Compton Av team up to deliver this hard hitting flow. The streets of Fresno shaped BlackDiamond and a thirteen year prison stint further honed who he is today. ‘Who’s Next’ is the kind of track that will resonate for others but comes from the heart and soul of a an artist that is simply spitting his own truths.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

William Black x Blanke x MGRD - Goodbye [Music Review]

“William Black comes from a musical family and the Orange County native is putting his own signature sound to the music he’s creating. ‘Goodbye’ is a soaring Future Bass track that not only will get you to feel the beat but also touch you with strong lyrical writing to hold your attention far beyond the first listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jordan Anthony - Tell Me [Music Review]

“You might recognize Jordan Anthony from his stint on American Idol but this rising Aussie Pop Star is making his mark away from the TV screen with a new slate of music including, ‘Tell Me.’ The track delivers emotional honesty in the face of mixed signals. Love is confusing enough without having to guess but too often that is the case as both parties navigate the minefield of the heart.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Goldford -Stay [Music Review]

“Goldford has a sound that some will compare to artist such as Teddy Swims in that it is Soulful Folk or maybe Bluesy Pop. No matter what label you attempt to slap on this song, you will feel the emotion and longing deep down in your bones.

’Stay’ is a song that speaks to the soul while creating a smooth easy groove that makes you want to move and sway along to the beat. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

AlumNY - Black Boy [Music Review]

“Alumny unleashes an Reggae influenced Hip-Hop collective with ‘Black Boy.’ Riding the reggae vibes and combining them with an Boom Bap old school delivery the track comes alive thanks to a hard hitting performance and the stellar writing of Dynas and Kil Ripkin. Relevant and banging without being preachy, the track offers social commentary on the trials and tribulations facing black men in this current, jacked-up world. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bowling For Soup - Ridiculous [Music Review]

“Bowling For Soup are Pop Punk legends and in honor of the 20th anniversary of their their classic album, A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, the band recorded during their sold out Manchester, UK show.

Their career ahs been anything but ‘Ridiculous,’ but here we are celebrating it with this single and live album release. This is the second release from an album that promises to be rock solid top to bottom given the band’s talent and years of performing experience.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sidepiece RVA - Never [Music Review]

“Rock and Roll has always been about rebellious defiance with a sultry side dish of sinful sexuality to sell it. Who better to deliver both than a band called Sidepiece RVA?

Their single, ‘Never’ comes in with that in your face classic rock guitar and then adds in alluring vocals that lean heavily on that sexy defiance. The lead vocalist taunts and teases with her sultry brand of ... you lost me and now you’ll regret the things you did or didn’t do until he end of time.

The guitar does heavy work here and sets the tone early without overshadowing before an understated solo that sprinkles some extra magic with a 90s grunge type vibe. Though overall, the musical tone and vocal style feels more like classic and timeless Rock and Roll ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bror Gunnar Jansson - Refuge [Music Review]

“Swedish songman, Bror Gunnar Jansson delivers the vibes with ‘Refuge,’ a slow steady track that builds and pulls the listener along. You could draw some comparison to Teddy Swims if you feel the need to lump Jansson in with an artist you already know, but there is an added dark or sinister vibe that made me think of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Overall I;d call this soulful, Blues.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

yetep - Champagne (feat. Dia Frampton) [Music Review]

“When you think of ‘Champagne’ you think of popping corks, celebrations and all around good times.

There is a hint of that is the effervescent bubbliness of this track from producer yetep and vocalist Dia Frampton, but there is also a soft haunting quality that pours forth some human emotion and the insecurity we can all feel even in those happier moments. The combination here is quite intoxicating on this Dance Pop/EDM track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nikademis x Andy Kautz x Elle Vee - I Miss You [Music Review]

“Nikademis teams with Andy Kautz and Elle Vee to unleash this impactful Future BAss track. ‘I Miss You’ is a track you can feel both in the beat and production and in the emotions of the lyrics. Produced and performed with precision this is a song that settles in your mind and both with equal dexterity.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - I Like It Rough

“Estella Dawn is back with a provocative and sultry Alt Pop track. ‘I like It Rough’ is bold and direct. It’s the kind of in your face track that might seem one-dimensional but the writing is sharp and their is a definite undercurrent and bite that speaks of more than meets the eye. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Matt Hylom - Donald Glover [Music Review]

“This track is a JAzz influenced Hip-Hop track with chill vibes. Matt Hylom delivers this flow with emotive tranquility you can feel down deep in your soul. My only complaint is I was left craving more. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

William Black x Baby Blue - Monster [Music Review]

“William Black hails from Orange County and the So Cal native is joined here by Baby Blue to give us a theatrical and magical Future Bass track that builds and soars with artful precision. ‘Monster’ is the kind of track that you can dance to or simply close your eyes and feel as your reflect on your own life.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kings Elliot - What If This World [Music Review]

“YOu might not yet have heard of Kings Elliot, but this Swiss artists is one to take a deep dive in on. ‘What If This World’ is the fourth release from her upcoming ‘Born Blue’ album, and each time the emotional depth and introspective intelligence comes through in a new way.

This is an artist your feel as much as you hear and we can’t wait to hear more here at LA on Lock. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger