August Echoes - Lucky You [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Fake it until you make it is a way to get ahead professionally, but it is a poor method for finding internal happiness. And yet we all plaster on that fake smile at times and pretend we are doing just fine when we’re not.

August Echoes does a magnificent job of utilizing an upbeat musical arrangement and heavier, darker lyrics to showcase this dynamic. In a track that at first glance feels bright and cheerful, the true meaning and vibe is one of despair and uncertainty. This mirrors how many of us go through our days.

’Lucky You’ is a track with intelligence and foresight ,and if you truly listen a bit of insight into our humanity. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alana Cruz - Telescope [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Alana Cruz has a sound that could be Country, could be Pop, could be an emotional singer/songwriter expressing their vulnerability and the good thing is great music transcends those type of labels and simply speaks to people’s hearts.

’Telescope’ is that kind of song.

At times I heard Natalie Maines of the Chicks, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mack and Brandi Carlile but in the end this is simply the talented Cruz, belting out her truths as she expresses what unrequited love and the yearning brand of hope that comes along with it truly feels like.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zoe Ko - Touch Therapy [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Zoe Ko is having fun on her latest single, ‘Touch Therapy.’ This Alt Pop gem is definitely thirsty, and that seductive Pop Punk edge drives the engagement.

Ko revels in the sexuality of the track and that libidinous energy captivates. Sometimes all we need is to be touched to unlock a new new attitude this song serves as the soundtrack for that sensation.

As the most interesting man alive once said ... Stay thirsty my friends. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

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

KTJ & CARLY - Forever Young [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Riding a slow methodical build over the first minute, the track begins to soar with the chorus, but before that the strong emotive vocals will make you lean in in anticipation.

None of us truly stay ‘Forever young’ but good music is a good way to forget that that and lose yourself in time for a while. KTJ & CARLY know how to create engaging tracks that speak directly to a listener’s heart.

I did find myself craving more lyrically and the track ended a verse or so too soon for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tom Mackell - Shitbag [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pure unadulterated fun!

Tom Mackell has a good time calling out his own behavior, and the honesty, along with his emotive delivery sells the track with ease. The melody is light and the tempo carries the listener along like a nice summer breeze.

This is a good little everyman kind of ditty, that will stick in your head long after the final note. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

deegie - Old Spice (Eric #1) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“deegie is back on the attack, unleashing to dirt on ex-boyfriends from her upcoming EP, ‘EXES.’

This song puts the spotlight on Eric, her high school sweetheart, who first broke deegie’s heart when she was seventeen. I

A Pop Punk hit in the making, ‘Old Spice’ unfurls like a movie and the the story is easily digestable.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Vilhelm Buchaus - Snow In The Summer [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track comes in with a retro 80’s vibe. Not quite Hair Metal, but more like a Springsteen, Bon Jovi kind of energy and old school rock style that provides instant nostalgia. Beyond that, Vilhelm Buchaus infuses passion and talent into ‘Snow In The Summer,’ that keeps you glued in for the build and climax of the track. Along the way the song started to feel more contemporary for me though truthfully it delivers what I’d consider a timeless sound.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Velvet Rouge - Lonely Since The Day We Met [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Velvet Rouge reminded me of Lucinda William on this track. Yes there are multiple voices, but the grit and overall tone had that same brand of defiant excellence that William does so well.

’Lonely Since The Day We Met’ builds in passion and energy throughout, and once it bites unto your psyche it refuses to let go.

This is the, in-your-face goodbye that we all want to deliver at some point in our life. Now we have an easy song to share with those offending parties as we say adios! ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Frankie Bird - Unstuck [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The tight harmonies demanded my attention right from the start, and then Frankie Bird soared even higher with captivating vocals that definitely fly above the fray.

’Unstuck’ is an upbeat and uplifting track that carries you on the current of its spirit and liveliness. We’ve all been stuck in one way or another, and it is only after freeing ourselves that we have experience true euphoria. This track captures that sensation quite well giving us a soundtrack to go along with the joy of newfound freedom.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

EDIE - Lie to Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a Pop Punk sound that has notes of 90s Grunge, EDIE unleashes her anger with ‘Lie To Me.’ Razor sharp lyrics cut to the bone in this break up anthem and EDIE’s vocals sell the anger and emotion start to finish.

This track is perfect for anyone going through a breakup or needing that reminder about the liar in their past. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Born Runner - Lose Yourself Tonight [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A high-energy track that sort of feels like Bruno Mars meets Neon Trees.

Born Runner delivers a unique sound so pinning them to any particular genre, or one direct comparison to another artist is tough, but I’ll call ‘Lose Yourself Tonight’ a Indie Rock Funk and say it is a perfect track for any motivational or party playlist because it delivers fun energy at every single turn.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - If You Were In Love [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This piano led emotional ballad of unrequited love is haunting and beautiful. Estella Dawn unfurls evocative and vulnerable vocals to go with strong writing and a tight melody that adds to the emotions of the track.

’If You Were In Love,’ delivers heartbreak and pain that the listener can feel in every line. The tone is different, but the raw power of this piece reminded me in P!nk in several places.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nolea - Room [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is no dearth of musical talent in LA and now the band Nolea joins that fray with a an intelligent brand of introspections that is both chill and mentally provocative.

’Room’ is the kind of spacious song that allows the listen the rom they need to come to the emotion and lyrical build. There is an ethereal quality to the delivery and production dynamics here that simply allows you to freefall into the track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

South of Nine -Fine Acids [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“ I like the vocal tone. The vocal tone creates a unique sound. South of Nine goes deep in the delivery with strong guitar strings to back it up. The sexy alternative rock song reminds me of a old school band like the Foo Fighters. This is defiantly a hit.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Conflict Choir - The Real Thing [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Conflict Choir nailed it when they described their new single, ‘The Real Thing,’ as ... it’s like Soundgarden had a jam with Jeff Buckley.

The single has a hanting timeless quality and there are hints of multiple decades in the song. From the 70’s on up to today this UK band doesn’t feel derivative but rather like an evolution, and I can’t wait to hear more from this talented band. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Johnny Orlando - Vegas [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Johnny Orlando is poised to take the reins from Beiber as Canada’s reining Pop king. His latest single, ‘Vegas’ shows his vocal range and depth of emotion. The track is an affirmation of love and will no doubt find its way into many a playlist dedicated to love and infatuation. The song has a self-aware, sensual feel as well as a vulnerability that comes though in Orlando’s talented performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BOY LOCO - Slow Dancing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“BOY LOCO delivers a nice, smooth track that emotes a nostalgic brand of reminiscences and motivates your heart to open up and feel. For me the track has a hint of regret, stemming from doubt that maybe the narrator did not hold onto the relationship the way they should have. Or perhaps there was a loss that ended things. Of course others may take this track as more of a post date type euphoria in that the singer simply cannot wait to get back together with their person for some slow dancing.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jade LeMac - Pick A Fight [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jade LeMac toes the line between love and hate in her latest single, ‘Pick A Fight.’ The track has a decided Pop edge, but definitely comes with a lyrical sharpness as well that will make you think long after that infectious beat and chorus have subsided.

The simply, yet effective video works perfectly to deliver the punch of the songwriting.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lui Peng - Otherside [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lui Peng deliver a pure Pop sound that has a Ed Sheeran meets the Weeknd vibe for me. ‘Otherside’ is an emotional love song that will no doubt make its way to a lot of shared playlists and dedications.

Coming with a nice emotive energy and upbeat tempo the track has a feel good side to go with the romantic vulnerability. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger