Dance Yourself Clean x Michael Medrano - Sugar [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Since 2013 Dance Yourself Clean has spent nearly every single weekend throwing parties across North America. With the pandemic the boys have turned their entire focus onto the party’s transformation into a juggernaut music project. In the first full year since the project was created, 2020 brought in over 2.3 million streams on Spotify alone.

With their new single ‘Sugar’ set to release on NYE at 12am EST it looks like they’re setting the scene for what may be a massive year of releases and collaborations.

DYC had this to say about ‘Sugar’, “Normally we’d be spending NYE with our friends and DYC family somewhere... Maybe Los Angeles at Teragram Ballroom or NYC at Baby’s All Right. It kills us that we won’t be able to be together this year celebrating. Setting “Sugar’s” release date for midnight on the east coast and 9pm on the west coast is our way of being together with our DYC family across the nation. It may seem silly, but it means something to us and hopefully them too.”

Happy New Year from us here at LA on Lock as well! Thanks for joining us this year and we look forward to bring you more great music in 2021!”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dillon Francis - Be Somebody (feat. Evie Irie) [Dillon Francis VIP Remix] [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Platinum-certified artist and producer Dillon Francis releases a remix of ‘Be Somebody’ featuring Evie Irie and it is spot on perfect. The vibe comes through in the build and progression, and is intensified with a nicely compiled video created from footage gained from the artists mom. The track is simply a vibe that works and pulls you in as you listen.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Isanna - Business [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Isanna infuses her performance with an angsty form of passion that hints at both anger and frustration, but feels oh so real on this track.

’Business’ is about trying to stay grounded and focused amid the chase of trying to carve your place in the world. Quote from Isanna: ‘Business is a kind of refuge amidst the chaos and clout-chasing of the music industry. At the time of writing it, I felt myself getting swayed by the smoke and mirrors of the business, and the song felt like a way to bring myself back down to earth, and to the people who keep me sane, for example, my brother and manager Alex. The track is a reminder to protect your energy and keep moving forward, no matter what’s happening around you.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tessa Violet - Wishful Drinking [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming in with an alluring beat and vocal style, Tessa Violet is doing a bit of ‘Wishful Drinking’ on her latest single. The track first found life as part of a Tik Tok challenge, and is now ready to go beyond the realm of social media and mesmerize us all with its snake charm like sound of intoxication. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Maella - Downtown [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Maella is back with a seductress of a single that feels like the whisper of a lover in your ear. Smooth vocals and an alluring groove keep you leaning in on the progression of this Indie/Electro Pop ode to the excitement of meeting that someone new that quickens your heart and lowers your inhibitions. ‘Downtown’ is where you will want to be after listening to this track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rich Miller - Atmosphere [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rick Miller drops a new single, ‘Atmosphere’ which is the kind of track that simply feels right for the moment. The big Future Bass production offers hope and encouragement in for what many is a dark time. The build and progression offer reassurance without resorting to any sort of cheap gimmicks, just a steady determination that mirrors what we all need right now.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

carolesdaughter - violent [Music Video Review]

Raitng: 4.5 out of 5

“Written while in a toxic relationship, ‘violent’ offers a stripped down delivery that expresses the strained emotion of trying to hold it all together despite the underlying anger, rage, and frustration. carolesdaughter adds to the mix of emotions with the imagery of the video, and though this track on its surface remains steady and rather placid in its delivery and arrangement, the festering feelings are very tangible as you listen.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Suspect Ed - First Class [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a track that shakes up the norms. Coming almost with a medley like vibe of shifting styles and delivery tones, Suspect Ed is tough to classify in any one genre. There is a definite Hip-Hop flow that works well, but the track also offers a nice 80’s style vocal hook that feels nostalgic, while also managing to come across as a modern Pop arrangement. Through multiple listens, I remained on the hook for this ‘First Class’ trip. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

HAYL - I Will [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“HAYL definlety taps into some of the same attitude and defiant confidence that has worked so well for Taylor Swift. ‘I Will’ is a declaration of independence delivered in a talented vocal build that holds the listener and keeps you leaning in to hear what comes next.

I suspect this is a track that will ring even louder for the ladies, but no matter your POV, the talent shines bold and bright. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

dezabel - Tell Ya [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a bit of nostalgia in the writing, this is an Electro Pop ode to the memories we all have. Those bits of ourselves that linger long past the innocence of youth and the awkward uncertainty we fell in the presence of those we were and are attracted to.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dawson Gamble - What You Don't Know [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some songs win you over simply by feeling real and genuine. Dawson Gamble’s latest, ‘What You Don’t Know’ is one of them.

Starting out soft and vulnerable, the well-written lyrics hook you with their authenticity before the track insiifies and layers in a bit more of a Rock/Pop sound to go with the early singer/songwriter vibe. Though in truth, genre is less important than the erstwhile emotions on a track like this.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

ORLA - Close to Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Losing the one you love is never easy, and sometimes we are desperate to hold on just a little bit longer. That is the emotion behind ORLA’s single, ‘Close To Me,’ and in that scared vulnerability we sometimes find an unexpected strength.

This track is a soulful, in Pop kind of way, and the melody adds as much impact as the words though the vocal performance certainly carries its weight in emoting the passion of the track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

TROY - Undercover [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Love on the sly brings that extra little bit of excitement and this ubeat track from TROY certainly captures that spark and secretive allure with its own tone and vibe.

’Undercover’ leans more Commercial Pop, but does deliver just a hint of a Funk groove that works well. No doubt this is a track that will be shared between covert lovers, but no matter who you are, you can appreciate the passion and energy. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kayla Diamond - I Should Have Listened to my Friends [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kayla Diamond drops this Electro Pop ode to a love gone bad that surprised no one — except perhaps the one broken heart.

’I Should Have Listened to My Friends’ is the kind of retrospective knowledge we have all experienced a few times in life. The smooth easy talent of Diamond’s vocals make the words feel true as the production swells and ebbs as needed to bring the emotion home.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

CHEL - Nasty Woman [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Labeled as so-called nasty women in certain political circles, the strong and fiercely independent ladies of this world have something to say and damn it, they refuse to be silenced. CHEL is among the proud, the brave, the bold — and on this Soulful Pop track, she makes her ‘Nasty Woman’ proclamations in loud, talented tones that draw a line in the sand for anyone looking for a fight.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Anna Straker - Boys Will Be Boys [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The world is in flux, and yet some offer flippant platitudes such as ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ to excuse archaic and toxic stereotypes.

Anna Straker is having none of it with this hard hitting Electro Pop Hip Hop fusion of Rock attitude. “‘Boys Will Be Boys’ is my feminist anthem to tear down the patriarchy,” explains Anna. “After recovering from a sexual assault last year, I realised what men are really capable of and this sarcastic anthem is my angry response to the double standards we face as women. I want to squash these stereotypes with my big platform boots and remind the world that women are more than sexual objects.”

There is no denying her talent and voice on this track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

JUICYPEAR - Caught Up [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with that wavy tranquil West Coast vibe, JUICYPEAR drops this soulful Pop track on us reminding of the power music has over all of our lives.

’Caught Up’ is about those moments you are swept away to another time or place or mood by the music filling your ears. This track brings that power, as well as the observation making it complete the circle of engagement for me as a listener.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

GREYA - Thrive [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Love is hard enough when both parties are fully invested, but sadly many relationships are lopsided in their dedication and resolve. Being stuck in such a situation where the the one you’re committed to only wants to dip their toes in, makes you hope they will one day jump in and swim.

The tough emotional journey of coming to the conclusion you are treading water alone is never easy. GREYA does a masterful job of expressing those emotions in ‘Thrive’ a track about finding your courage and resolve in the face of a one-sided relationship. Powerful vocals and well-established Pop sensibilities carries this track forward and hold the listener for the duration.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

HAYL - I Will [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Having the confidence to know who you are, and not letting another person swoop in and try to change you in ways that defy your essence, is a tough thing at times. Especially if you truly have feelings for that person.

’I Will’ is a true Pop ode to that very thing. HAYL is confident and bold in her approach to saying I will not sacrifice who I am, for someone else’s ideas of who they want me to be.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Audriix Deep Breaths [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Get up and start dancing. Audriix’s new single ‘Deep Breaths’ has a paced yet up beat sound to it. The electro pop artist explains how its time to manifest reality. She isn’t the one to settle down or give in. She chooses to express herself and not calm down. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)