Jake Kulak - Animals [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “This guitar heavy track from Jake Kulak brings the timeless INdir Rock sound that could be from any recent decade. ‘Animals’ is the kind of song music lovers can dig in on and feel to the core. Simply a rock solid track musically, vocally, and in the lyrical build. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lina Loukily - Pretend [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 3 out of 5 “Lina Loukily certainly has a spirited talent that is tangible int he delivery. i did crave more vibrancy from the vocal side of the mix to sell her vocal talents. ‘Pretend’ is on of those songs that you discover new nuance with each listen, so add this one to your playlists and take your time digesting the lyrical build. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Shannon Dooley - Gold [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Shannon Dooley conveys an easy confidence on this track. ‘Gold’ is a dreamy Pop track that feels a bit surreal in the sultry tones and song song cadence. An easy track to fall in and sing along with this one has a girls night out party vibe that is sure to resonate with many of our readers.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Alanna Matty - Restless [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.” — Quote Source “Alanna Matty conjured thoughts of vintage Sheryl Crow on this track. ’Restless’ is a Folk Pop song about the Grind and Hustle mentality the entire world seems to have adopted. It is an anthem to taking a bit of time to simply be and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Mallow Hill - Smoke [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 “Mallow Smoke delivers a smooth sultry groove on their latest track, ‘Smoke.’ Singer Mikayla Joseph did remind me some of Amy Winehouse and like her most famous hit this track also deal with addiction. ’Writing it was my way of expressing what it’s like to deal with someone you love struggle with addiction and substance abuse and how it presents itself in relationships,” Joseph explained. “ It healed my heart just a little bit. Fighting the demons that push you into a place where you become dependent on drugs and alcohol is hard enough by itself, trying to do it alone is even harder. And loving an addict is heartbreaking.’” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Vilhelm Buchaus - Break My Heart Again [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Sometimes we struggle to let go and move on. Vilhelm Buchaus takes on this dynamic of returning time and time again to a doomed relationship simply because you can’t quite get the other person out of your mind. This tender and heart wrenching singer/songwriter type of song drips with the emotion and anguish of knowing it will never work yet feeling you have to try one more time. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Shrey Panda - The Walk Alone [Music Review] August 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Instrumentals, Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “Instrumental Hip-Hop at it’s finest! Shrey Panda infuses classical vibes to create tracks that tell a story all on their own. I am more of a lyric guy so it isn’t often that an instrumental truly captures my attention but Austin, Texas’s Shrey Panda has managed to hook me a few times now so I look forward to hearing more from this talented musician.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Fake Dad - Crybaby [Music Review] July 04, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative, Rock Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Fake Dad is an LA based Pop Synth duo that has an Indie Rock vibe with just enough Pop Punk influence to add a razor edge to the sound. ’Crybaby’ is about the pursuit of fleeting fame and how desperate society has become to snatch their fifteen minutes. The track delivers a nice energy and spark and I can’t wait to hear more from this talented duo. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Frances Whitney - Still Have July [music Review] July 01, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Frances Whitney drizzles in some nostalgia and heartache on this track, but that is not to say ‘Still Have July’ is a melancholic trip and nothing else. The single also has an uplifting and hopeful tone that increases as the track builds. The song works much like our brains in that it sort of processes multiples things and aspects all at once to give us a splashy Summer time vibe along with a treasure trove of emotions.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Greyson Chance - Haymaker [Music Review] June 28, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Pop, Americana, Folk, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Greyson Chance straddles the line between Rock, Pop, and Folk on this track. The Oklahoma native can be compared to acts sucha s Mumford or the Lumineers, but ‘Haymaker’ also feels in line emotionally with Americana in the vein of Jason Isbell, or even a more traditional Country sound such as Tyler Childers. Emotionally raw and vulnerable, the track is masterfully written and performed. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Noak Hellsing - All Day [Music Review] June 28, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Neo-Soul, R&B, Jazz Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “This track from Noak Hellsing delivers a nice tranquil vibe somewhat reminiscent to Sheryl Crow’s hit ‘All I Wanna Do.’ Except ‘All Day’ is more of a jazz-influenced soul sound with less of that Pop edged gloss.THe track is a smooth ride and is the kind of track you can enjoy while taking a mellow evening drive, or while sipping a cold beverage poolside with friends as the sun sets. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Gray Hawken - GOLDEN STATE [Music Review] June 26, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Learn the name Gray Hawken. Store it in your brain because Hawken is about to blow up. The torpnto native has already made his mark in LA and beyond by working alongside the likes of Jack Harlow, Shenseea, Alessia Cara and Preme. His collab with Alejandro Sanz landed Hawken a Grammy in 2020 but now he’s launching his first solo effort.’GOLDEN STATE’ is a melancholic Indie Pop vibe that lives and breathes in the emotional space of humanity. It is a track to feel as much as to hear and Hawken is the kind of artist you trust to deliver truths about us all even when they hurt a little bit. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Regan Aliyah - Walkout [Music Review] June 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “You might know Regan Aliyah from her starring role in Netflix’s “XO Kitty” or from Marvel Studios’ “Ironheart,” but welcome to a new side of the multi-talented star. “Walkout’ is the latest creation from this artist and the infectious Hip-Hop anthem is one you are about t hear a lot more.The track comes in with verve and a old school backing, but then her flow hits and hooks the listener for the entire ride. Attitude, and a hint of sultry vibe come along with the intense delivery and confidence that borders on cocky.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
The Allergies x Dynamite Mc - One Time [Music Video Review] June 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 “The Allergies and Dynamite Mc team up to give us this smooth retro groove that is a vibe start to finish. The writing has pop, and the delivery distills the words with passion into a soulful libation that will quench your thirst. ‘One Time’ has a vintage vibe, but avoids feeling reminiscent simply for the sake of nostalgia. The flow has a tangible feel that feels like settling in for a long conversation with a tried and true friend.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Peach3 - Ghostryde It [Music Video Review] June 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Trap, Rap, Hip-Hop, Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Peach3 is the Gen Z version of TLC you didn’t know you needed. Old school Trap Hip-Hip with a bit of Pop sensibility gives this track the Commercial edge to stand out in the marketplace, but it is the verve and attitude that truly separates the trio from everyone else. Either you have it or you don’t and these Atlanta natives clearly do.Lyrically, I did crave more as ‘Ghostrude It’ relies heavily on the hook and bounce to carry the song, but I am eager to see where this trio goes as they establish themselves.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
I AM SOPHIA - Meet in the Middle [Music Review] June 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, R&B, Reggae, Neo-Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 “The world is unmistakably fractured and one of the few unifiers is music. I AM SOPHIA address the divided nature of society but offers a plea to ... ‘Meet In The Middle.’The track has a Retro Soul vibe with a little dash of Reggae to spice up the offering. I have to think Bob Marley would be proud of the talent and of the message. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Estella Dawn - 514 Denim [Music Review] June 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Pop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Estella Dawn is a talented artist I feature often here at LA on Lock. This New Zealand native now calls San Diego home, but sometime soon the entire world will claim her as one of their own as this kind of talent finds a way to shine bright. ’514’ Denim’ is a smooth Electro Pop kind of track that fits right alongside some of the biggest hits out right now. I’ve written this before but I am going o write it again .. get on board with this star now! ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lily Meola - Gasoline [Music Review] June 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Americana, Folk, Pop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “I often struggle to connect to vocals delivered in a high register but not this time. Lily Meola has a very emotive delivery that works for her higher, softer tone. ’Gasoline’ is the latest release from Meola who has captured the attention and mentorship of Willie Nelson. The track leans slightly to a Pop Folk sort of sound that feels alive and vibrant.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Roots of Creation with Matisyahu - Ocean Moon (Live at Sugarshack Sessions - Reggae Rise Up FL) [Music Review] June 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Live Performance, Music, Reggae, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Recorded live at a Florida Reggae festival this track simply feels alive. Riding a Reggae rock kind of vibe the collaborative effort is born of friendship and respect and decades of honing the craft. A true groove piece that captures the sense of Reggae in a lively and passionate way. The live crowd adds to the atmosphere of the track. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Don Diablo x R3HAB - Disco Marathon (feat. NEEKA) [Music Review] June 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, House Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Dan Diablo and R3HAB join forces along with NEEKA to create a song that is best described as ABBA meets 2024. The track has both an Electro Pop and House music vibe and the resulting sound is hard not to fall in and sing along with. The beat and production are just as engaging as the vocal performance.A fun track that will put a smile on your face and some sway in those hips. Give ‘Disco Marathon’ a listen and feel the mesh of the 70’s as it blends with the spirit of today.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger