Maude Latour - Walk Backwards [Review] February 12, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Electro Pop, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Purely intoxicating! Maude Latour offers up her latest single, ‘Walk Backwards’ which is rich and bubbly and and altogether inebriating in the very best ways. Poppy, but without a hint of bubblegum, the track deals with the blurred lines of love, friendship, and romanticism in bold and direct ways. The song has a voyeuristic feel with a nice groove that makes it impossible not to stay thirsty on.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Libby Larkin - To My Face [Review] February 12, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “The best art is an expression of true emotions, and while some artists can tap into the emotions of others to convey experiences beyond ones they have faced themselves, sometimes only through the raw sting felt pain can art be distilled. This is the case with ‘To My Face’ from Libby Larkin.After an uphill battle through self-expression and closure, Libby is finally ready to release her first EP, titled ‘L|A’, in February of this new year. It all started when she caught her best friend and the girl she was seeing in a secret affair. As if a scene from a movie, she caught them revealing the entirety of their fling on a voice recording. With the recording on her phone and an unhealthy desire to bask in her heartbreak, Larkin decided to make a three song EP. Releasing on the Friday before Valentine’s Day, the project is titled “L|A” which stands for the city where this happened, and ironically also for the guilty’s initials. Each song contains a snippet of the recording from that dreadful night, and getting a glimpse of the full story is available by listening to all three songs in order.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
MAGUIRE - Melt [Music Video Review] February 08, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music Videos, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Maguire’s new single ‘Melt’ is a ballad with emotive vocals. As she stands in a hall way she begins walking and searching for the truth. As she finds him their souls are shown connecting in a peaceful dance. The singer songwriter just doesn’t deliver us a new song off her forthcoming EP “Fantasies” she delivers us art.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Nate Ouellette - Fantasy (feat. JXVE) [Review] February 06, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Nate Ouellette will draw comparisons to Justin Bieber, and it will be interesting to listen and see how his career develops and evolves to see if he embraces those similarities or drifts from them. ’Fantasy’ is a smooth track with an intricate lyrical build and an on point production that keeps you leaning in. This track would be right at home on the radio today and hopefully will find the audience it deserves.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Sarah Barrios - Happy [Music Video Review] February 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “The best Pop music is able to say something and covey real emotion without sacrificing the catchy hook and energetic vibe. ‘Happy’ was written specifically about the unburdening elation and confusion of waking up without the fear and anxiety of hiding. Sarah Barrios created the track about the coming out experience, and it is certainly powerful in understanding that dynamic for those of us on the other side who have never lived through such an experience. That said this track also has a broader appeal for any of us that are emerging from beneath fear or darkness of any kind.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Tiny Jag - d0nt U (with WTM Scoob) [Review] February 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Autotune, Commercial, Rap Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Sometimes an artist has enough of that so-called ‘IT’ factor to carry a tune, and that was the case here for me as Tiny Jag conveyed enough passion and attitude to keep me leaning in and listening on a track that did not always do enough to stand out from the fray, arrangement wise. The talent is unquestioned, and there are some great lines and emotion, but I would have liked to find that one moment to make me truly fall in. That said, the talent and ‘IT’ factored carried me through and I can’t wait to hear more from this artist.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Brianna Marie - Haunting You [Review] January 29, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Commercial, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “New York-based singer-songwriter and rising artist Brianna Marie kicks off her 2021 with brand-new single “Haunting You”. An exquisitely addictive song, it showcases Brianna’s empowered attitude, bold lyricism and stunning vocals, ensuring she is one to watch in 2021. I like the sound of suspense snippet in the beginning. Then as her vocals come in she gives us a dramatic yet pop delivery. Brianna Marie’s new single ‘Haunting You’ is about feelings that exist whether or not you are near the person. She tends to describe her feelings and is curious to know if the feelings are mutual.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger) “Haunting You” also reveals an extremely appealing theatrical component to Brianna’s sound; it’s very anthemic and orchestral, which isn’t typical to pop and helps her to stand apart from other artists in the genre. With “Haunting You” setting the tone for Brianna’s 2021 in a major way, we’re anticipating a great year ahead for her, and we can’t wait to see what else she has in store.”
Amanda Ayala - Hooked [Review] January 29, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Amanda Ayala has had successful runs on NBC’s, ‘The Voice’ as well as Prime’s, ‘Who Will Rock You?’ Now the talented vocalist is belting out her emotion on a new single, ‘Hooked.’ This big Electro Pop track has a dark undercurrent that brings enough grit to keep the listener leaning in. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Callie Reiff x Lenii -The Kids Are All Rebels 2.0 [Review] January 25, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “I had mixed reviews but realized the song stuck with me. ‘The Kids Are All Rebels ‘ is like a twisted Disney anthem. Callie Reiff has the bad girl pop vocals that let’s you know rules are meant to be broken. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Alyssa Caroline - Not The One [Review] January 23, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Alyssa Caroline comes with Commercial/Indie Pop single that speaks to to the insecurities lurking in most of us. There is a bit of a Taylor Swift flavor in the emotion, but for me the writing here is more honest and straightforward. ‘Not The One’ is an ode to anyone who feels like they are more of a second choice than a priority for others.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Phantom Phunk x Pandapaws x C.i.D. - Wound Up [Review] January 22, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “This is a track that shifts and bends, giving you several different vibes and grooves. Coming with an ensemble feel that reminded of Wu Tang, ‘Wound Up’ offers a soulful groove that you can’t help but fall into and sway along with. Great for hanging with the people you call family whether they are related or not, or simply chilling by yourself the mood here is inescapable.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
SZNS - Behave [Review] January 22, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, Commercial “SZNS deliver unflinching attitude and allure that wraps around you and refuses to let go. I could attempt to describe the intent behind this Electro Pop track, but instead I’ll turn it over to a direct quote from the band —’Behave’ is for every girl who’s been told to act like a lady: to sit up straight, be polite, to let the grown ups talk. Our entire lives we’ve been told that we’re ‘doing too much’ or acting ‘too intense’ - Behave is about being unapologetic, and taking up the space you deserve, despite what anyone else might say. If being demure and soft-spoken is good behavior, then I guess we never learned how to behave. ~SZNS” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Sydnee Carter - Drug Was You [Review] January 22, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Getting hit with a reminder of a romance that once was, can be a painful blast from the past. Especially when you least expect it. The emotional blow has the power to spin both mind and body. Sydnee Carter delivers that impact with her single, ‘Drug Was You’ and for anyone that has ever experienced that kind of emotional derailment the sing gives meaning to the feeling. The track has a nice Commercial sound while still managing to land with impact.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Gild Walton - Convince My Mind [Music Video Review] January 15, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Gild Walton take an angle of honesty that few are willing to share after a tough breakup. This piano driven track offers up the emotional distress of a bad end to love, and is underpinned by a restless anxiety that feels true and genuine. The vocal talent shines in the subtle inflections, and is particularly evident in the bigger moments of the track which tend to arrive at the perfect time to keep the listener leaning in. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
kings elliot - dancing alone [Review] January 15, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “A soft emotional set of vocals brings ‘Dancing Alone’ alive in a tangible way. Kings Elliott has that sensual vulnerability that invites you in close, and lends an intimacy to the words that keeps you leaning in and invested. Hard to draw an easy comparison to a similar artist, or fit this into a genre, but if pressed I’d label it as Commercial leaning Singer/Songwriter. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Charlotte Cardin - Daddy [Music Video Review] January 14, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Charlotte Cardin delivers a modern sound that does at times feel like it owes a debt to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, but Cardin delivers an extra bit of seductive vulnerability to a set of lyrics that is more about taking a dangerous leap than it is about waiting and hoping. From the artist ... ‘’Daddy’ is a song about kissing your crush right by the open bar,’ muses Cardin. ‘Your crush’s other crush, standing by the shrimp buffet, sees it all. Your crush can’t choose between their two crushes, so you jump right in and choose for them. ‘Daddy’ is a song about knowingly making a bad decision and loving it.’” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Estella Dawn - Petty [Review] January 14, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Betrayal of any kind is a tough thing to take without suffering emotional scars. Estella Dawn takes those emotions on in ‘Petty,’ a track about coming to the realization that the person you have been there to support of lift up, is not nearly as committed to doing the same for you in your time of need. Dawn captures the feelings well and delivers an engaging set of vocals to go with a well-written track that speaks to the power of friendship and betrayal. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Nicholas Hamilton - Different Year [Review] January 08, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Like the rest of the world, Nicholas Hamilton is ready for a ‘Different Year,’ after surviving this past three-hundred, sixty-five. In this low key Pop song, Hamilton reflects on the things we missed or lost in 2020, but the track carries hope and a touch of defiance as we all gear up to charge bravely forward into 2021.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Doble - Risks [Music Video Review] January 08, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Commercial, Music Videos, Lyric Video Rating: 4 out of 5 “Life is short. However, life is all about risk as well. Doble new single ‘Risks’ is a mixture of Latin Hip-Hop. The song starts off with encouraging its listeners to take chances because there are so many opportunities. What starts out as english shifts to Espanol but overall the song flows so well.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
WHOISLUCCI - Yuck! [Music Video Review] January 04, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “WHOISLUCCI? Lucci is raw. Sometimes we get tired of short shirts and mini skirts. WHOISLUCCI delivers authenticity not just in her appearance but her lyrics. Her new single Yuck! is about the BS because she ain’t with no fxck shxt.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)