Dfils - TEMPO [Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “Riding a sultry beat, Dfils delivers an exotic flow that hooks all on its own. Add in a slithering lyrical arrangement and this deadly build lures the listener in and holds them tot he build. Dfils has that extra bit of verve tos ell it and keept he listener under his trance. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Nolea - Room [Music Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “There is no dearth of musical talent in LA and now the band Nolea joins that fray with a an intelligent brand of introspections that is both chill and mentally provocative. ’Room’ is the kind of spacious song that allows the listen the rom they need to come to the emotion and lyrical build. There is an ethereal quality to the delivery and production dynamics here that simply allows you to freefall into the track.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Dover Lynn Fox - When Youth Was Wasted [Music Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Dover Lynn Fox delivers light, warmth, and hope with an rich tone that feels inviting and familiar. That alone is a talent and she brings these qualities to a set of well-written lyrics. ’When Youth Was Wasted’ is nostalgic and full of yearning for better times, for warmer times. This mirrors how we feel as winter settles in and those first buds of Spring begin to make us long for the coming summer. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Parker Smith - Air Stream [Music Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Folk, Americana, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track has a nostalgic Gram Parsons kind of musical vibe to go along with the Country Chic lyrics that would do John Prine proud. Parker Smith gives us a track that might be what Buffet would have come up with had he been raised in a trailer park, living in an ‘Air Stream.’ Of Jerry Jeff Walker if that trailer were parked somewhere in Texas.Fun and gritty and the perfect tune to crack open an cold one and watch the sunset over the top of a Dollar Store alongside your baby.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Downupright - We're Doomed, We're Dancing [Music Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “We tend to feature one song at a time here at LA on Lock but every once in awhile a project comes our way that can’t really be broken down into those bite sized bites and still articulate the particular artist’s passion and talent. Downupright has given us such a project with ‘We’re Doomed, We’re Dancing.’Call this one a Hip-Hop Rave for the end times of you want, but this collection of sixty, on-minute tracks to usher us through to the other side, is more than the sum of its parts. This is a statement and a collection that really digs and and deliver something new and fresh without going to far around the bend. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Eden Rain - Closer [Music Review] March 31, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Americana Rating: 4 out of 5 “dEen Rain delivers an emotive and powerful performance on her single, ‘Closer.’ The track deals with grief and helping a friend make through to to the other side. The vocal tone of this track makes you feel every word, and the build is engaging as the emotions are tangible in every line. The early sound feels almost like Americana, though the track transcends into more of a emotional Pop track halfway through.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Parker Lane - MAGIC [Music Review] March 29, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Americana, Commercial, Folk Rating: 4 out of 5 “Written for his children, because he doesn’t get to see and spend as much time with them as he would like, ‘MAGIC’ is a track of love and hope that will ring true for anyone missing someone and longing for a reunion. Parker Lane shows off his vocal chops with this emotive and uplifting track that soars on the currents of the human condition. A true feel good song!” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Slander x Trivecta - A Better World (ft. Chris Howard) [Music Review] March 29, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Future Bass Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Slander teams up with Trivecta and Chris Howard to create this uplifting Future Bass track. ’A Better World’ is a clean and direct kind of track that feeds the soul with positivity. I can see the track as the backing for a movie montage, or it is a nice addition to a motivational playlist to get you inspired and ready to take on the world. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
June - Not The Guy Of My Dreams [Music Review] March 29, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “June unleashes this angsty Pop track. The Houston native offers emptive vocals that reveal both subtle anger and vulnerably. ‘Not The Guy Of My Dreams’ feels very human and genuine in emotion and energy and it is the kind of track that will wrap around and be a warm hug to those going thorough similar emotions. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Whitney Lyman - Floating [Music Review] March 29, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Whitney Lyman has a sound that would have been a great fit back in the Lilith Fair days thought hat is not to say her emotional delivery isn’t welcome addition to today’s musical landscape. Strong writing and emotive vocals delivered in a clean and gripping tone is a timeless sound that fits in any era and Lyman delivers both here on ‘Floating.’ ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Amp Melo - Hoop Dreamz [Music Review] March 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Amp Melo gives us an old school Boom Bap style track honoring the ‘Hoop Dreamz’ many of us had back in the day. Sadly, reality usually comes knocking on the door for most of us, but that nostalgia, for the time when anything felt possible keeps us all thinking about the what ifs. This track is the soundtrack for that, and the smooth groove makes it a song you can jam to alone or with a group.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Julia Logan - Top of the World [Music Review] March 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Folk, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Swedish songstress, Julia Logan taps into the emotional toll that change and growth brings about within us. Logan grew up on a small island near Stockholm, but also spent time in Southern California thanks to family roots there, and that dreamy West Coast vibe certainly makes an appearance here. ’Top of The World’ has a haunting undercurrent that keeps the listener leaning in on tender hooks. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Daimo Dunkin - Posies [Music Review] March 20, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Daimo Dunkin doe a great job of honoring the old school era of Hip-Hop and infusing contemporary emotions and ideas into this hard hitting track. ’Posies’ is a hype track, but not in the traditional sense as it does the job of motivating with low-key grit and resolve rather than through hyper boasts and hard beats. The production behind the flow adds to the grime of determination on the track, and the flow is unrelentless in its emotive power.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
stew - Diorama [Music Review] March 20, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Delivering a raw, singer /songwriter type track, ‘Diorama’ showcases stew’s talent and emotive power. The writing is sharp, and the performance drips with feeling. This track is about those well-intentioned friends and family often think they know what’s best for us. When you are an artist, chasing what can be viewed as an impossible dream to the nondreamers of the world, those manipulations and comments from others only intensify as they “suggest’ what you should be doing what your life more freely.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Conflict Choir - The Real Thing [Music Review] March 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Conflict Choir nailed it when they described their new single, ‘The Real Thing,’ as ... it’s like Soundgarden had a jam with Jeff Buckley. The single has a hanting timeless quality and there are hints of multiple decades in the song. From the 70’s on up to today this UK band doesn’t feel derivative but rather like an evolution, and I can’t wait to hear more from this talented band. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Trapper Schoepp - Meet Me at the End of the World [Music Review] March 14, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “The best songs transcend time and genre. Trapper Schoepp gives us that kind of timeless offering with ‘Meet Me at the End of The World.’The track is his homage to a mentor and in that regard I’ll defer to Schoepp’s own words about this track ....This upbeat indie rocker was written by NYC musician Jesse Malin and Mexican-American songwriter Alejandro Escovedo. Jesse is a mentor of mine and recently had a spinal stroke. This song is a benefit for him and it’d mean a lot if you’d consider it. He’s paralyzed and getting stem cell research. I am touring across EU now, singing this feel good song and raising funds for his recovery. This song is hitting radio airwaves here now! Thank you for taking a listen to this song! ❤️You can learn more Jesse Malin and his story at this ROLLING STONE ARTICLE here: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/jesse-malin-stroke-healthcare-fund-1234770111/” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Johnny Orlando - Vegas [Music Review] March 11, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Johnny Orlando is poised to take the reins from Beiber as Canada’s reining Pop king. His latest single, ‘Vegas’ shows his vocal range and depth of emotion. The track is an affirmation of love and will no doubt find its way into many a playlist dedicated to love and infatuation. The song has a self-aware, sensual feel as well as a vulnerability that comes though in Orlando’s talented performance.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ice Meez - My Moment [Music Review] March 08, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Contemporary R&B, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Ice Meez knows how to sell the emotion and feeling of his well-written lyrics and once again delivers an impactful song for our listening pleasure. ’My Moment’ is a track that delivers truth and hope, without ignoring the difficult realties of this world we all face. The song has grit and genuine emotion, and Meez’s flow is delivered with an emotive power. The chorus adds a smooth groove that breaks that up perfectly to give the track a nice balance.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
BOY LOCO - Slow Dancing [Music Review] March 08, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Indie Pop, Alternative, Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “BOY LOCO delivers a nice, smooth track that emotes a nostalgic brand of reminiscences and motivates your heart to open up and feel. For me the track has a hint of regret, stemming from doubt that maybe the narrator did not hold onto the relationship the way they should have. Or perhaps there was a loss that ended things. Of course others may take this track as more of a post date type euphoria in that the singer simply cannot wait to get back together with their person for some slow dancing.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bshortt - Sushi At Mikuni [Music Review] March 01, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Bshortt gives us some true Rap fusion on this track. Utilizing a Latin inspired beat and melody, the track ranges from a soulful R&B groove in the quieter moments, to an Old-School rap delivery that gives the listener retro vibes. ’Sushi at Mikuni’ takes the listener for a joyride on the back of a strong and confident flow that both cuts and soothes as it builds. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger