jocelvn - spiral [Music Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“I had a mixed reaction to jocelvn’s new release, ‘spiral.’ The vocal talent and emotive delivery had me captivated, as did the subtle beauty of the video and imagery.

The writing was strong as well, though I was not a huge fan of the way the track wound down and for me the ending felt unnaturally abrupt, as if it had been cut off. Though overall, it was the production dynamics that I struggled with. The track felt overproduced and for my taste it would have been better served to simply let the vocal talent and emotion carry the song.

As always, let me know in the comments what you think? Did I miss the point of this one or was the talent diminished by the production and abrupt conclusion?”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Natalie K - Dance With Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There are few things as captivating as that perfect night here in LA. ‘Dance With Me’ captures the majestic beauty and sparkling grace of one of those nights on the town.

Natalie K utilizes a low key smooth groove to convey the emotions and magic and it comes through with ease in this engaging track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Thorslund - Firecracker Man [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“True Rock and Roll ain’t’ dead, but it is real damn hard to find.

The glory days of Whisky a Go-Go and the other iconic venues along the Sunset Strip might be behind us, but Thorslund keeps the Hollywood tradition of spawning hard rock with an edge alive and well.

Thorslund does a damn good job of living up to the reputation of LA rockers.

’Firecracker Man’ is a hard charging rock song that works today and would have put them in elite status back in ‘85. Let’s hope they usher in a new era and find the broader audience they deserve so while appeasing the Rock Gods happy with their in your face sound.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lily Kershaw - Depreshmode [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Lily Kershaw comes in with heartfelt and vulnerable vocals that reminded me of vintage Emmylou Harris.

’Depreshmode’ is as tenderly written as it is performed. The emotion and gritty realness of depression is perfectly rendered and delivered. A song that will speak to all of us that have experienced dark times and deep holes and kept on battling through to the other side.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

talker - Don't Want You To Love Me (Oceanator Remix) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“In and out of love. These kinds of tumultuous relationships often lead tp frustration and Talker takes on that dynamic with the single, ‘Don’t Want You To Love Me.’

This remix, created by Oceanator, dials in on the conflicting emotion such a relationship creates and the track comes away with a mixed set or sounds and vibes as a result. Fitting given the mixed up emotions such a situation crates. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

STARRY EYES - Jetlag [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“STARRY EYES has followed a tumultuous path, and at times a tragic one as well, given one of the founding members lost his battle with drugs. Still, the band has preserved and pushed on, and the rough road has perhaps made them better writers and contributed to the deeper meaning in their lyrics.

’JETLAG’ is about the toll of chasing your dreams an how what we find out in the world is not always what we imagined. I can’t wait to hear more from this talented band. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Scarlet Opera - Big City Thing [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“There is something about The Scarlett Opera that puts me in mind of Queen and while it is hard to pinpoint exactly, I think it is a bold uniqueness that simply feels like freedom. Freedom of convention, freedom rules, and freedom of spirit that can only come with you create art for yourself first and an audience second. ‘Big City Thing’ is a flamboyant celebration of artistic freedom that gets in your ears and then in your soul.

Rock and Roll with flair and verve and a total disregard for what anybody thinks about that.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

Mykel - Maybe [Review]

“Mykel is done wasting time in a dead-end relationship and issues a last-chance ultimatum in her new single ‘Maybe.’ A stripped-down, R&B ballad in the same vein as ‘Resentment’ by Beyoncé, ‘Maybe’ features bluesy guitar and Mykel’s confident, wide-ranging vocals, with a message of empowerment that will resonate with anyone who’s tired of dealing with an emotionally unavailable partner.

The track comes with a smooth groove and build and those sultry vocals that make it clear the one that pissed her off is surely going to regret it somewhere down the road.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Hayk Keys - Party Of One [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An accomplished songwriter, Hayk Keys is now writing hits for himself and ‘Party Of One.’ might be the first time you are hearing Keys, but I have a solid hunch it won’t be the last.

The track delivers an engaging energy and lyrical honesty that resonate and keeps the listener invested in the overall build. A fun Commercial sound that gets in and does the job without a bunch of unnecessary production tricks or gimmicks. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Michelle Ray - Tattoo [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Michelle Ray leaves her mark, just as a ‘Tattoo’ does but Ray does it with a powerful voice and the emotive delivery not many artists are capable of. Big and bold this single has the same vibe you get from Pink, or Adele or other truly expressive vocalists.

Don’t sleep on this single, because Michelle Ray is a clear star in the making, and this is your chance to buy in early and help spread the word. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BEXX - Daydream [Music Video Review]

Rating : 4 out of 5

“What are you willing to do for love?

That seems to be what BEXX is asking on this supercharged Indie Rock trip that is both surreal and exotic in a psychedelic kind of way. The video adds to all of that as well and in conjunction with the message of the lyrics gives this complete project a polished intent that few songs/video combinations offer.

This is the type of project that sticks in your mind and instills new meaning with each watch/listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

J. Oso - drop [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bars for days. J. Oso drops this track which eschews a traditional hook, in favor of a steady barrage of hard hitting lines and each one lands and delivers a punch that fits perfectly with the mood and attitude of the writing. The beat production gets out of the way for the most part, but does add an underlying attitude which helps bring out the verve of the flow.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cliff Savage - Keep Trippin' [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cliff Savage wanted to rep So Cal and his East Long Beach home with this track and the track drips with West Coast influence. The beat is smooth and establishes a mood that Savage further brings out with his steady tempo and delivery. This is a track that will stick in your head and keep you settled in a mood all day long. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

An Adolescent Tragedy - I'm Keeping the Nintendo [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A different kind of break up song that will make you smile, but also nod along if you’ve even been there in that situation of watching a relationship dissipate.

LA band, An Adolescent Tragedy has a decided West Coast sound that has enough of a Punk vibe to be categorized that way, but still brings a bit of the 90s sound to the mix to make the track have a Commercial feel as well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shelby Carter - Worst Way [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Shelby Carter delivers the West Coast vibes on this Electro Pop track with a performance that is sensual and alluring. Carter’s talent invites the listener in and makes it oh so difficult to look away. The vibe is sexy and dangerous and that combination along with the talent makes this anything but the ‘Worst Way,’ to spend your time. Carter has verve and attitude and the it factor so keep an ear on this rising artist.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Annie of the Canyon - Heart of Stone [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Annie of the Canyon is not a stranger to LA on Lock readers, but if you have missed her previous features here on the blog it is never to discover her emotive and tender vocals. There is a mysterious allure to her tone and the emotion of her writing and delivery never fails to engage the deeper senses of my psyche. Like a modern Stevie Nicks, Annie of the Canyon has that odd combination of fierce determination and soft vulnerability that is both alluring and inviting. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Elodie Rêverie - Red Carpet(Kony Remix) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“LA based Elodie Rêverie is not a stranger to this blog and now she’s back with a remix of her single ‘Red Carpet.’ Rêverie’s trademark vocal sound is as always intoxicating in a sensual and alluring kind of way. The overall arrangement feels enchanted and exotic in a modern way while paying homage to bands like Roxette and Ace of Base that also brought an alluring sexiness to everything they did. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

C'Nyle - Just Do It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Truth is a powerful force in all art, and when you can distill it down into a consumable good you have hit your mark. C’Nyle is able to do just that here on this low key flow that allows the writing to land with every single line.

The beat is mellow and that allows the emotion and message to stick without getting covered up or lost. California vibes with a little mix of Louisiana love.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Gregory Ackerman - All This Thinking [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Born and raised in LA, Gregory Ackerman delivers a timeless Indie Folk sound. “All This Thinking’ is rich in emotion and it wraps around you warming the soul like a nice heavy blanket. The groove and melody are easy to fall in on and the performance makes the song feel as if you are listening to an old friend’s advice. The guitar captured my and held me as tightly as the vocals.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ease The Don - Stay Safe [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ease The Don and Jerry West team up to capture the West Coast Vibes on ‘Stay Safe.’ The groove has a definite Pop element to it, and the Cali Hip-Hop aura grabs hold as well as this one unfurls.

Shot in So Cal, the video matches the mood of the song and both are all about finding your fun no matter what is going on around you. A perfect track for the jacked up world we all live in so add this one to you chill vibes playlist and enjoy the ride. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger