Diane Gentile and the Gentle Men - Walk With Me featuring Alejandro Escovedo [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Americana can be a tough genre to pin down but this track from Diane Gentile and Austin songwriting stalwart, Alejandro Escoveda might very well set the bar for the genre. Poetic and emotional lyrics over a steady heartfelt delivery that hook the listener in every way. ‘Walk with Me’ offers timeless sound and talent with perfectly matched imagery for the video.

The track offers hints of Emmylou and Springsteen with an ode to Dylan on the side.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Scott Fisher - Hour of Great Contempt [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“You down for some jazzed-up Indie Rock with vocals that conjure thoughts of Tom Petty? Then you my friends are in luck because that is exactly what Scott Fisher gives you with his track, ‘Hour of Great Contempt.’

And lyrically, the track will give you plenty to ponder as you listen over and over again to pick up on the meaning and nuance. I won’t give you my personal take here because this is the kind of track best digested by each individual, but trust me the time spent will not be wasted.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

SpaceAcre - That Girl [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Space Acre has a sound that reminded me of the Foo Fighters meets Kate Bush. This is Rock and Roll with an edge and underlying emotion that actually says and means something. ‘That Girl’ is an anthem for anyone who identifies and female but this is a jam no matter who or what you are. And yeah, we live in a politically charge time that has some people trying to define who you are, but this is the kind of defiant track that simply doesn’t care what others think. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Three Second Chances - Living out Loud [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Three Second Chances brings the energy and a throwback spirit on their new track, ‘Living Out Loud.’ If P!nk put out a disco track I imagine it would sound a lot like this though the vocals here have a bit of 80s tone and style as well. The track still manages to feel contemporary and easily swept me up and along for the build. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Filippa Borgman - Broken Man & A Shoe [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Written in the height of Covid lockdowns amid a landscape of widespread global depression, Filippa Borgamn gives us a story of sorrow that rings not only as plausible, but outright believable.

’Broken Man & A Shoe’ takes elements from Elton John, Folk, and Pop to create a track that is as full of life as it is sadness. This is a song of the human condition created by a talented artist that transcends any one genre or style to create an artful and meaningful emotional response.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kate Thornbury - Napkins [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kate Thornbury’s vocals have a hint of Stevie Nicks thought he delivery style is a bit more Phoebe Bridgers or Brandi Carlile with an sound that falls between Indie Rock and Americana.

’Napkins’ starts with a bit of sunny nostalgia but takes a deeper darker turn as the track progress and the dreams that were once written on disposable napkins are long gone but the emotions of heartbreak linger on.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

backo - Sunshine [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is one of those that feels light and airy and makes you feel good from the very first listen, only after you take a deeper lyrical dive do you realize the writing is a touch darker than the initial vibe. This juxtaposition makes the song all the more interesting, and means you can listen and appreciate the intent no matter your mindset or mood. Give this one a go, and let backo warm your ears with some sweet ‘Sunshine.’ ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir - Full-Handed [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written from the perspective of a child, watching his parents’ marriage fall apart, ‘Full-Handed’ is a slow burn. A sad track that gave me modern Johnny Cash vibes. There are Country elements here but the track has an edge that better fits Rock. Maybe that lands it squarely int he Americana category but trying to pigeon-hole such a track is a waste of time. The emotions is relatable to all and the slow build here sneakily punches you in the gut. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Angel Abaya - The Bubble [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We all live in our own little bubbles and Angel Abaya sings about that on this track. ‘The Bubble’ sounds a bit like Natalie Maines singing Pop and lyrically he track is about how sometimes we find comfort in our own little sanctuaries whereas other times we want to pop our protection and explore the world and meet new people that inhabit it. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ La on Lock Blogger

Dogboy - Rush [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track from Dogboy reminds me of the old saying ... No one gets out alive.

That statement is generally used to describe life, but in a more metaphorical sense, it can describe relationships, because while you can escape a bad relationship but the scars and emotions often lurk in the shadows and reappear to plague us somewhere down the line.

’Rush’ is a detailed look at that kind of lasting mark on our hearts and soul and the artistry on the track drives the point home with Rock precision. The track is a bit of a genre bender, but the energy and attitude carry the day quite well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

William The Conqueror - Somebody Else [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“William The Conqueror captures simple brilliance with both their sound and writing. True artists tend to create works that defy just how talented they are, because they make it all seem easy somehow. That was the case here on the track ‘Somebody Else.’. The emotion and vocal nuance are understanded, yet impactful, not only from the first listen, but for many more beyond that initial experience.

Even though the band is British, this track might be categorized as Americana in some circles, or you can call it Indie Rock if you prefer, but the band offers the brand of timeless sound that really transcends genre.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Devon Thompson - Napoleon [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Devon Thompson has a unique and sultry vocal tone and this talented guitarists offers up a Rock vibe that is every bit as seductive as the vocal tone. This track is about unrequited love and the emotional pettiness of the one whose affection is unreturned. ‘Napoleon’ is infused with attitude and grit and the result is this timeless track that feels modern yet could have arrived from a number of musical decades. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

STARRY EYES - Jetlag [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Music certainly has its fads and trends, though sometimes a simple, yet timeless sound is what best captivates and holds a listener. That is the case with ‘Jetlag’ from STARRY EYES.

The writing is intricately delightful, and the classic build and sound could come from several musical eras though the end product does not feel dated in anyway. The vocals unfold in a smooth emotive tone and make you lose the world around you as the meaning and emotions penetrate your brain. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

High Tropics - Girlfriends [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“I love music that can be taken multiple ways, because life is complex like that and we need music that fits different times and moods of our lives.

’Girlfriends’ can be taken as a straight up song of heartbreak and remorse for a failed relationship. Or it can be taken as an ode to that sweet girlfriend we call May Jane. Either way High Tropics delivers a gem dressed up in Indie Rock packaging that might remind you a bit of The Killers.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nikki White - Fairweather Friends [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nikki White taps into the past with her latest single, ‘Fairweather Friends’ which has a retro 80s feel at times, without feeling dated or coming across as interpretive. This track, about letting go of those friends who are only around for the good times, is original and fresh paying homage to the glory days of Pop.

White’s vocals sell the lyrics well, though the writing is strong enough to stand up to repeated listens so the emotional depth is there as well.. Overall, a solid Indie Pop track that highlights the talent quite well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shayla McDaniel - Awake [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Shayla McDaniel delivers this track with a vocal precision that intensifies along with the lyrical build, and by the first chorus I was hooked for good. With each subsequent listen I felt more connected with both the words and performance. This is a track that wraps around you like a warm blanket and simply feels like genuine comfort.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bad Flamingo - Keep Off of You [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As always, Bad Flamingo delivers a true vibe with their music. This latest single, ‘Keep Off of You’ has hints of Alt-Country with a bit of a Billie Eilish feel at times. The attitude, and mysterious sexiness of the band adds to the allure, though at the end of the day, it is rich vocal tones and a razor sharp lyrical edge that cuts through the fray and makes Bad Flamingo stand out.

I hope to catch these power duo live and in person one of these days, and until then I look forward to see what they unfurl next.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Prisoner & Key - Set In My Ways [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Prisoner & Key delivers a brooding track that is best compared to Springsteen taking a turn at an Outlaw Country song.

’Set in My Ways’ has grit and punch and almost slips into an Industrial vibe at times. The vocals are steady and moody with a dark undertone that defines the track overall.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Yasha - 96 Shine [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The mood of the song is a vibe. The vocalist has an almost Giveon type of tone. The accents of the harmonizations add texture and volume to the hook which is already catchy in itself. The way the snare sits on top of the beat makes it hard to not nod your head to this one.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Anastasia Elliot - Bones [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Anastasia Elliot is a vocal powerhouse that at times reminds me of P!nk blended with Brandi Carlile. And ‘Bones’ is the kind of soaring track that you can’t turn away from or shake from your head afterward. Like a musical hammer the staccato cadence of Elliot’s delivery bangs home the message with both precision and force. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger