Ashley Elle - Death of Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ashley Elle proudly uses the term Sad Girl Pop and she just might be the Queen of the genre. Her emotive delivery and vulnerable lyrics pull the listener right into the heart of this track but she expresses the song’s intent well herself ...

’I moved to Los Angeles four years ago to attend college and pursue music,” explains Ashley Elle. “While I love it out here, there are many moments where I wish I could run home to my small town in Wisconsin. ‘Death of Me’ is a song to LA - a place full of dreams and possibilities wrapped in competition and insecurities.’

Truer words have never been said about Los Angeles and all that emotions she gives those who come here in search of something new and different.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Yes Chef [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Estella Dawn has fast become one of my favorite contributors here at LA on Lock. The New Zealand born/ San Diego based Pop artist often surprises me with unique lyrics and a diverse sound that always delivers talent to go with the the surprises.

’Yes Chef’ is a tribute the the friends-with- benefits dynamic and how anyone could not say yes to this starlet is beyond me. This is a sensual and fun track right at home in today’s Pop landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Movie Night - Haunted [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I am a sucker for a good story song. And a story song with a gut-wrenching twist of the knife ... YES PLEASE!

Butter the popcorn and settle in because Movie Night latest track, ‘Haunted’ is ready to carve up your emotions with this Pop Rock anthem to closure and that impromptu final meeting with your ex to try and wrap thigs up in a nice little box to stoae away. Of course life doesn’t work like that, and neither does this excellent song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Madeleine McPherson - Treat Me Right (Bubble Song) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Madeleine McPherson delivers this ode to taking care of yourself and saying goodbye to those in our lives who do not treat us right.

Tenderly delivered with confidence, ‘Treat Me Right (Bubble Song)’ is a Pop anthem to moving onward and upward. The talent shines and the lesson to be learned here is one we all need at some point in life.

At times her vocals remind me of Miley, but not enough to consider this derivative or an imitation. McPherson stands on her own talents without a doubt.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Casino Havana- All For Nothing [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This song is a burst of energy from the introduction of the electric guitar at the beginning of the song. Casino Havana delivers a pure rock and roll smash. Well versed lyrics and storytelling over banging drums and violent guitar strums. The lead vocalist carries the song with his intense, aggressive vocals while still giving your vocalist deliverance that blesses the ears with its melodies. If you put all the elements of rock into a pot and created a song, this would be it. Great song. Even greater listen.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Connor Kauffman - Far Too Late [Músic Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Connor Kauffman is an artist I’ve featured before and once again he’s blown me away with his talent and emotive expressions of the human condition.

Not everyone deserves second or third chances, even if you happen to share DNA with that person. Though that is a tough thing to accept because we are all conditioned to believe blood is thicker than water and that is exactly why some grievances hurt worse than others.

Kauffman uses his talent to share this experience and in doing so helps us find our own healing path all while being entertained by his stellar performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Deaf Andrews - Phone Line [Músic Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Deaf Andrews brings a whiff of nostalgia in both their sound and writing. At least on this track. We all experience that flashback of sentimentality so the song is certainly relatable, no matter when you grew up.

This is timeless Indie rock with a nice energy and balance of musical talent and thoughtful well delivered vocals. Can’t wait to hear more offerings from this talented group of friends.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nothing but a Nightmare - She Always Ruins A Good Time [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Coming with a Pop Punk vibe that is a bit in your face, Nothing but a Nightmare, taps into an early 2000’s vibe with their sound and style. ‘She Always Ruins A Good Time’ walks that ragged edge and offers up multiple viewpoints as well as a nice variation in the arrangement and build.

The writing is relatable and the energy palpable. A fun anthem to tilt your head back and song along to with all that you have.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alfie Sharp - All Or Nothing [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If Rock and Roll Gospel were a genre, this track just might be its benchmark song. Alfie Sharp delivers vocal talent and an undeniable energy to the performance, but the track also boast provocative lyrics that will both entertain and make you stop and think at the same time.

If ‘All Or Nothing’ is the choice, this track certainly gives its all.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tony Salomone - Red Light [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riding an electric, pure Indie Rock sound and style Tony Salomone joins a long line of provocative raconteurs. This one hit me like Jack White joins the Arctic Monkeys. HIgh energy and fun to join in and song along with, this might be the most fun you can have with a ‘Red Light’ this side of Amsterdam.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mariposa4x Ft. Fluke - New Contra [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This beat could play for 8 hours straight and my head would still nod just as hard. The hypnotic chopped & screwed hook is infectious and each rapper brings their A game on the verses. The record is far from polished which I think is part of the charm. It feels raw but smooth, untamed but never out of control. It sits in that rare space of turn up, chill house party & long drive... thats hard to do!”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on lock blogger)

JamesBetaMax - Mystical [Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“Skipping experimental production, a catchy chopped & screwed hook and laid back rap... Jamesbetamax is cooking. The raps let this one down a little but this artist is onto something fresh. Far from perfect there is enough to hear (more importantly, feel) in this record to know when he really dials into the sound he wants to create he’s gonna take the world by storm. Watch this space. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

KOTO? x Soft Eyez -StrongBlackHair [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This is pure poetry over an interesting beat. Strong Black Hair acknowledges all hair types that women have. He describes each woman in her element whether as a mother, an auntie, a sister or a teacher. He captivates our attention by describing the texture and the smell of pure coco butter. I also like the inserted audio that allows us to capture the power of black hair. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Rec Hall - Paranoia [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“From its infectious bass groove to its instantly memorable chorus, Paranoia is pretty awesome. Rec Halls lead singers voice cuts through the noise and serenades us as the band explores how familiar situations become unfamiliar and even scary when influenced by different emotions. The band has managed to find a fresh spin on that psychedelic surf sound and I’m here for it. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Embed Block

Add an embed URL or code. Learn more

CrashMonkeys - LA Trash [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This record is catchy and tongue in cheek in the way LCD Soundsystem was. The production might not be as infectious but this chorus is made to screamed at a packed show. The CrashMonkey tap into the kind of nostalgia that feels forever cool. The vocals are a little off but I think thats part of the charm and is kinda like LA in a way, its a little off but something about it just keeps you coming back.”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Kourosh - Wolf [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Hip-Hop is a universal and Kourosh is speaking it fluently on Wolf. The Persian rapper by way of The Netherlands sounds sharp, clever and dripping with star power as he skates across the skipping production. The switch to acoustic guitar and sweet singing on the outro shows Kourosh is a 360 artist and could be about to put his city on the international stage. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Coma Girls - Back To The Source [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Self-reflection doesn’t always need to be drenched in sour minor chords and brooding grooves. Coma Girls prove that because Back To The Source just makes me want to move. Its ear-worm like melodies and true indie anthem guitars make you want to shake your demons off at a Coma Girls show screaming every lyric back at them. Subtle yet poetic with honest like “You were good at sex / But you’re bad at goodbyes” makes this a a true pop masterpiece without even trying. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock Blogger)

MICHA - Do Me Like You Do [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“When you’re opening verse includes the lines “She knows she could sell, lies to the devil, I’ve bought them myself” you mean BUSINESS. Do Me Like You Do feels like being ripped apart and being put back together by the person who ripped you apart in the first place. Vocally MICAH has the rare ability to let him self be consumed in the moment but maintain control over his voice. As out of control as his lover makes him feel he keeps himself composed in the storm. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Haley - Walk Among The Dead [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“To quote The Verve, this is a bitter sweet symphony. Never loud but impossible to be heard, Haley pours her heart out in this tale of betrayal and heartbreak. Writing and rewriting this song over a 4 year period, Haley really landed right on the heart strings in such a honest and raw way. *Standing ovation* ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Jon Vinyl - Wasted [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Jon Vinyl is back is the beautiful breezy ‘Wasted’. From soaring vocals, to honest conversational lyrics, wasted feels like the perfect way to close out summer 23. It’s bittersweet with an emphasis on the sweet. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)