Connor Kauffman - Far Too Late [Músic Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Connor Kauffman is an artist I’ve featured before and once again he’s blown me away with his talent and emotive expressions of the human condition.

Not everyone deserves second or third chances, even if you happen to share DNA with that person. Though that is a tough thing to accept because we are all conditioned to believe blood is thicker than water and that is exactly why some grievances hurt worse than others.

Kauffman uses his talent to share this experience and in doing so helps us find our own healing path all while being entertained by his stellar performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Deaf Andrews - Phone Line [Músic Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Deaf Andrews brings a whiff of nostalgia in both their sound and writing. At least on this track. We all experience that flashback of sentimentality so the song is certainly relatable, no matter when you grew up.

This is timeless Indie rock with a nice energy and balance of musical talent and thoughtful well delivered vocals. Can’t wait to hear more offerings from this talented group of friends.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Summonte - OOHS & AAHS [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Love is fraught with so many pitfalls and unfortunately cash can be a big one. Falling for a girl outside your means with $ in her eyes can be a frustrating endeavor and Summonte showcases that with this track. ‘OOHS &AAHS’ has an unconventional hook that is more sounds than anything else, but it works and the energy carries the track forward. I found myself moving and singing along to this relatable song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Landon Keller - Bloom [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Landon Keller brings the roadhouse gospel to yo your ears with ‘Bloom.’ Singer/Songwriter, Blues, Americana ... no matter what you call it the sound here is timeless and emotive and simply sings to the human condition.

You can draw comparisons to Nathaniel Rateliff or Charley Crocket perhaps if you need a musical reference but Keller infuses a bit of the deep South that makes me crave a Mint Julep and a plate of fried shrimp to ingest while I contemplate the emotions of life.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nothing but a Nightmare - She Always Ruins A Good Time [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Coming with a Pop Punk vibe that is a bit in your face, Nothing but a Nightmare, taps into an early 2000’s vibe with their sound and style. ‘She Always Ruins A Good Time’ walks that ragged edge and offers up multiple viewpoints as well as a nice variation in the arrangement and build.

The writing is relatable and the energy palpable. A fun anthem to tilt your head back and song along to with all that you have.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alfie Sharp - All Or Nothing [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If Rock and Roll Gospel were a genre, this track just might be its benchmark song. Alfie Sharp delivers vocal talent and an undeniable energy to the performance, but the track also boast provocative lyrics that will both entertain and make you stop and think at the same time.

If ‘All Or Nothing’ is the choice, this track certainly gives its all.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tony Salomone - Red Light [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riding an electric, pure Indie Rock sound and style Tony Salomone joins a long line of provocative raconteurs. This one hit me like Jack White joins the Arctic Monkeys. HIgh energy and fun to join in and song along with, this might be the most fun you can have with a ‘Red Light’ this side of Amsterdam.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Paul Cook & The Chronicles - Passing Fad [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“It has been said ... that all good things must end, but for songwriters sometimes it is these ending that pave the way for the best material.

Distilling emotions into an intoxicating outlet is a talent, and Paul Cook & The Chronicles are certainly able to do that, but the band also has the musical and vocal chops to tell their stories in an engaging way. There is a touch of Lennon here for me and I was invested from the very beginning. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lex Ether - No Way [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A dark foreboding vibe makes this track perfect for spooky season. Lex Ether delivers some sharp writing, and the lines hit with a punch not every performer can deliver.

Though I did crave a bit more variation to help hold my attention, and the sinister laugh in the backing might have been overdone a time or two. Overall this track spoke to me and I have a feeling it is one of those songs that I will grow to love more with multiple listens as the lyrical power settles in my psyche.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cole Parker - doing too much [Music Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“I like the word play and tone here, though I did crave more passion driving the flow and pushing it forward. At times, the flow settled into a monotone delivery style that would have better taken off for me had it expressed some nuance and emotion to truly make the track come alive. ‘doing too much’ is one of those tracks that is really close to shining, but just needed a few delivery tweaks to truly catch fire and hit that next level for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

SØ x Typical DiV - Therapy Or A Bottle [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Sometimes you hear a track that is so well written and on point you wonder why it too so long to hear those thoughts expressed. Such is the case with ‘Therapy Or A Bottle,’ a track that is real and gritty in every way.

The flow is delivered with a unique tone and arrangement and it emotes the passions in every line. Most of us have faced the decision to self medicate or turn to a professional for help. that is what this track is about and it hits home.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jade LeMac - Got Me Obsessed [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jade LeMac might not be on your radar yet, but she should be. This talented artist has the emotive power to hook a listener with but a single line. ‘Got Me Obsessed’ has a touch of Amy Winehouse in the tone although delivered more in a Contemporary Pop vibe. LeMac has the driving force of Arista records behind her so I expect to hear mor of this track and this artists in the months and years to come. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Love, Alexa - Catching Water [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Love, Alexa has spun gold with this sing/songwriter Indie Pop ode to finding love and the happiness it spawns deep inside us. A throwback of sorts this track would have been right at home on Lilith Fair stages of the late 90’s. A soaring number that is infectious in all the best ways. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BOWIE - No One Knows Me Better [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“BOWIE unleashes a powerful truth anthem with the track, ‘No One Knows Me Better.’ Deliving haunting vocals at times and defiant attitude at others the arrangement of this track conjures thoughts of Queen while the vocal style is more of a blend of Lorde and P!nk.

Lyrically the track is a giant finger in the face of all those who think they can tell you what is best for you but too often they are simply expressing what is best for themselves.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

A Story Told - My Place [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A Story Told gives an energetic ode to finding what matters most and putting your effort and concentration in on those elements of life. Excising the distractions and cancerous people is no easy task but becomes much easier when you take the time to truly evaluate the meaningful things in our personal orbit. Musically, this track is as light and free as the feelings it is trying to express.

A fun, uplifting track. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sarpa Salpa - Simple Pleasures [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“English band, Sarpa Salpa unleashes this track which has a Maroon 5 meets late 80’s early 90’s vibes. An energetic track about chasing joys and happiness in the chaos that is modern life. The ever-elusive concept of true contempt is tough to hold on to but great music certainly gives us a taste of the ‘Simple Pleasures,’ we all crave. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lance Markeith - Crop

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Rap feels like its entering a new era. Trap doesn’t hit as hard, and fun is coming back to the genre. Lance drops clever bars, bouncy flows over a skipping beat that has groove and fresh pockets. Rap is crying for a new sound and ‘Crop’ is a step in the right direction. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock blogger)

Nowo - Jungle [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“I’m loving the influence UK drill is having on music around the world and this record is no exception. ‘Jungle’ is smooth and inviting whilst still having attitude and tempo. Nowo is right the world is a jungle but records like this make it just that little bit easier to navigate. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock Blogger)

HoodyBoi - The Bush [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Jazz is poetry and on ‘The Bush’ HoodyBoi is speaking my language. The record epitomises that jazz is not only not dead but its thriving, fresh and relevant as ever. Glorious chords, subtle vocals paired with infectious grooves. This is the sound of summer 2023.”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock blogger)

Wakai - '05 Honda [Review]

Rating 3 out of 5

“Taken from his new album ‘Some people scream, some people talk’ 05 Honda is a serious head bopper. The groove in this record is infections just as is Wakai’s laid back flow. The chorus is catchy and potent and has us feeling like we’re riding shotgun as Wakai shows us his world. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on lock blogger)