Sweetlove - "The House" [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A beautifully written and performed song about grief, and the realization that while love is the very thing that makes such loss hard to bear, it is also the thing that makes our lives worth living. So in the end we can’t have one without the other, and that realizing this can make our grief easier to comprehend and bounce back from. The concept is intricate and emotionally charged and still Sweetlove handles those intricacies with grace on this mellow track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kris Angelis - My Quiet [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is the kind of honest songwriting that defies genre by simply resonating with the soul. Coupled with the soft, genuine vocal performance, the track offers both heartache and hope.

As does life, this single offers a befuddling array of emotions — with ups and downs riding shotgun throughout the journey. Kris Angelis is in the driver’s seat either way, as she sings this well-written ode to to dichotomy of the human experience.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rett Madison - Kerosene [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rett Madison. Remember that name. Her latest single ‘Kerosene’ is a true burner in every sense. The lyrical power is undeniable, but it is the emotive vocal style that truly makes Madison feel special in that Jason Isbell kind of way.

There is a country twang to her voice at times, but this is no commercial Nashville pablum. This is heartfelt Folk or more aptly Americana that demands you sit and listen and feel the emotion of the words and performance. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Xanthe Alexis - The Offering [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Reminding me a bit of the Canadian band ,The Cowboy Junkies, Xanthe Alexis delivers a nurturing brand of tenderness in her single ‘The Offering.’

Hailing from Colorado, Alexis brings a hint of that soft mountain spirit to both her songwriting and the vocals in this track. Decidedly Americana in sound, the emotion of this track wraps around the listener and never lets go.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mamie Minch - Fortified Wine [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a classic Folk sound, both vocally and in the melody, Mamie Minch gives us a ‘Fortified Wine.’ There is a bit of Woody Guthrie woven through this track and because there is a bit of Woody in so many artists from the genre you can trace this sound to many other contemporary Folk artists. That said, Minch’s husky vocals and emotive style rises above the fray to deliver a truly engaging single.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Annie of the Canyon - Friends That Kiss [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The music scene that sprang from Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills is legendary in its own right, and Annie of the Canyon taps into that with a vibe that matches that era but still brings its own unique modern spin.

There is a dusty sultry seductiveness to the vocals and a haunting darkness to the lyrics that lured me in on this track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Thirsty Curses - Bruises On Your Shoulders [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A clever bit of songwriting, and a simple yet imaginative video highlight this track. There is something here that reminded me of Elton John, but just a hint because Thirsty Curses certainly have their own brand of uniqueness to stand on.

’Bruises On Your Shoulders’ is simply put ... the song of life. An entertaining and concise look at the ho-hum, the dreams, the everyday. Hard to categorize, but I was thoroughly entertained.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sydney Lauren - 25 Days [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The lyrical wordplay makes this track mesmerizing even before you take into account the emotive and talented vocals of Sydney Lauren. This track reminds me a bit of the songwriting of Jason Isbell, with a vocal style reminiscent of Kacey Musgraves.

If I had to call a genre I’d say Americana, but really this well-written track is simply good music no matter what you call it.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Victor Dahlberg - Cry [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Victor Dahlberg hails from Stockholm, but now calls Spain home and his sound conjured thoughts of John Hiatt for me.

Is every not perfect? No. But every note instills a feeling and emotion and you can feel the genuine passion behind both the songwriting and the arrangement. This lands in Americana realm of the Singer/Songwriter world and just feels captivating in its open, honest vibe. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius - Flexibility Blues [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Bending and contorting ourselves is something we all tend to do, but bend too damn far and you’ll lose who you are. This bluesy take on the traditional California Folk style is deceivingly well-crafted and insightful. There is a light airy tone to this scintillating track, though the punch of these lyrics hits hard if you let ‘em. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gus Miller - Roll Right On [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“From Gram Parsons psychedelic 70’s love for the California desert, to Willie’s bond with the Texas Hill Country, the laid back Outlaw Hippie Country vibe has long been rooted in place and attitude. Gus Miller joins that movement that is still alive and well today.

These days the sound is often called Americana, but it doesn’t really matter what you call it because this songwriting and delivery style is all about attitude and the emotion of being content in your own skin and environment. And those ideals transcends genre, a term which has always been about marketers and promoters for more than the fans and the music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)