Eastcliff - Kaleidoscope {Music Review] December 06, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Folk, Rock Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “This track starts as a melancholic slow burn about the end of a relationship, but the build follows the same pattern most of us go through post breakup. So as the song build it shifts in tone to a more hopeful array of emotions.Eastcliff does a great job of allowing the emotions to dictate the pace and build. ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a journey and one well worth taking.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Emeryld - Lights Camera Baby! [Music Review] December 05, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Emeryld wrote ‘Lights Camera Baby’ with Slush Puppy after a messy breakup and even messier relationship. She explains the motivation well. “We were two girls in the same friend group which led to us feeling like local bar celebrities, turning heads and sparking controversy, when in reality, it was just embarrassing and narcissistic to think we were anything serious but a spectacle, mirroring and magnifying each other’s issues.”This track billed by the artist as a ... gay “cry in the club” song, was inspired by the sound today’s top Pop divas. Emeryld can stand proudly among them as she unleashes her truths in a vulnerable yet confidant way that showcases her talents.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Crhymes - Trouble Maker (ft. Eminem) [Music Review] December 05, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Crhymes enlists the talent of Slim Shady to deliver ‘Trouble Maker.’ Crhymes, is a Latino Rapper hailing from San Diego, California. The a former member of the rap duo the COR and respected freestyler is a frequent collaborator of some of the biggest names in Rap. This track with Eminem hots hard and takes no prisoners in its fight with the wack MCs of the world. Keep an eye out for his latest project titled, ‘Thuggery: A Near Death Experience,’ which features Snoop Dogg, Bizzy Bone & Layzie Bone to name a few talents. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
PTK LOTHBROOK - SELL THE LAND [Music Review] December 05, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Alternative, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “PTK Lothbrook comes directly at the listener on this track and the in your face beat and delivery catches fire as a result. ‘Sell The Land,’ was written out of the anguish and emotions of a divorce and the lyrical power hits. The flow has some Pop style, though that does not diminish the intricacy and timing of the Rap delivery so the artist did a great job of managing this tricky performance.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
The Real Mack The Knife - Rio Magic [Music Review] December 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “This time of year we all begin to dream of a warm escape to sit on sandy beaches under a warm sun. ‘Rio Magic’ from The Real Mack The Knife just might be the next best thing. The light, airy tone and exotic glow of the track makes it easy to close your eyes and imagine you are heading out for a night in Rio, or at least sitting on the beach imagining one. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Jake Dillon - Camp out at Wal (Mart) [Music Review] December 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Jake Dillon has the ability to hook listeners with one or two words. This emotive delivery is a strength of his work though you can’t dismiss the writing which has that simple, yet poignant quality that hooks the audience with its relatability. ’Camp out at Wal-Mart’ is a song about the personal journey that is life and it drips with humanity in all the best ways. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Already Legends x Freddy River - Smooth Water River (feat. Sam Tate, SavageSpitFlamez, Squad, L.O.E. BOOG & billy winters) [Music Review] December 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Trap, Hip-Hop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “This track’s intro didn’t do much for me, but once that flow hit around the :25 mark I was in and sailing right along.The smooth delivery of the various flows held me, and the writing had some nice lyrical punches that landed with precision and talent. Already Legends teams with Freddy River and a bunch of other talents to create a nice tranquil Trap track that is as inviting and silky as a cruise down ‘Smooth Water River.’ ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Cooper Phillip - One Sweet December Night [Music Review] December 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Holiday, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “If you are looking for a bit of fresh Holiday Pop then let me present to you, ‘One Sweet December Night,’ from Cooper Phillip.The track has an almost 80’s Pop vibe and the uplifting, fun lyrical build pulls you along like Santa’s magical sleigh. Give me this on repeat instead of the worn our Mariah Carey song any day of the week.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lia Menaker - Christmas at Home [Music Review] December 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Holiday Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Tis the season! Christmas is full f the same old tired and worn out songs, so why not add some new music to your holiday playlists? Lia Menaker gives us a good one to add with ‘Christmas at Home.’This track starts with a nice up tempo beat and utilizes it for most of the song. The lyrics are fun and the performance energetic and uplifting. A good vibe to go out and do some shopping, or sit by the fire with a warm beverage in hand.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Gabe Lopez - Long Road [Music Review] November 30, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Gabe Lopez is a successful musician but you might not yet be aware of this solo work. As a music producer for RuPaul’s Drag Race, Belinda Carlisle, platinum KPOP artists and more, Lopez has already made a mark in the musical landscape, and now this new track , ‘Long Road,’ might elevate this talented artist to even greater heights. The song has an haunting, heavy quality that makes the emotions inescapable. A track that means more with each listen, this is a song that has a timeless sound and appeal.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Devyn Rush - Christmas Everyday [Music Review] November 30, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Holiday Rating: 4 out of 5 “It’s almost impossible to create an entirely original Christmas song and still have it sound festive. Devyn Rush leaned into a nostalgic musical arrangement but definitely put a nice Contemporary spin on the lyrics of ‘Christmas Everyday.’The result is a nice festive track that feels new enough without straying to far from the sound and style we expect for Christmas music.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Tom Mackell - Where the Wild Things Go [Music Review] November 26, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Country Rating: 4 out of 5 “Tom Mackell is a songwriter with a country sound though not that Mainstream pablum that comes out of corporate Nashville. Mackell fits in the Alt Country/Americana scene that is ripe with good music. ‘Where The Wild Things Go’ has sort of a Flatland Cavalry vibe for fans looking for a comparison.This is an emotive, strongly written track performed with an emotive style that pulls the listener along for the full ride.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
xoxodubstep - I Will [Music Review] November 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Future Bass, Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “xoxodubstep unleashes a Future Bass love song with ‘I Will.’ The track has a big soaring theatrical vibe and would be great as the backdrop of a movie montage scene, but it also works as an emotional standalone track. Perfect for dedicating to the one you love, or getting in your feels out on the dance floor this track is deeply commercial and should find audiences across several gernes. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Radius x Leonora - Plans Tonight (feat. Leonora) [Music Review] November 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Funk Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Ready for some German Funk and Soul?Then it is your lucky day because Radius and Leonora team to give us exactly that with ‘Plans Tonight.’ Though you;d never guess these talented artists are German by the sound of this high energy song.And ode to being held back by the nine to five of a steady job this is a fun track about letting go and having some fun despite the demands put on you by being a so-called responsible adult.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Remy Reilly - Dirty Work [Music Review] November 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Americana Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Nothing is quite as dark and gritty as love, or at least love gone awry. Remy Reilly does the ‘Dirty Work’ of unraveling not only the emotions, but the aftermath and toll on self worth when a relationship goes wrong.The track has an Indie Pop songwriter vibe that almost hits the Americana/Folk realm in tone and style. The talent of the vocals, and an arrangement that dials in and sets the vibe, meshes so perfectly to form a complete well-rendreddsong that hits as hard with subsequent listens as it does the first.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Tessa Dalton - Hit the Lights [Music Review] November 25, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Hey, you up?The same thought process that leads to those kind of texts is what Tessa Dalton is singing about in ‘Hit The Lights.’This Indie/Alt Pop track is about that poor decision making we all make as we romanticize and gloss over all the red flags visible in the light of day. It’s a fun track that gets ina nd makes its point with talent and precision and doesn’t carry on too long.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kenny Sharp - Virginia Slim [Music Review] November 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, blues, Jazz Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Kenny Sharp delivers this love letter of sorts to his home state of Virginia. The languid blues feel gives the song a Ray Charles vibe and his classic ode to Georgia is certainly and apt comparison for this track. ‘Virginia Slim’ is a smooth and warm and wraps around the soul like a wisp of fragrant tobacco in the still summer time air.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
McCabe - Killer Of Mine [Music Review] November 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B Rating: 3 out of 5 “I loved the emotion and writing of ‘Killer of Mine,’ as well as the old school piano and clap beat. That said, the edges could have been softened and rounded out to better allow the emotions to land. McCabe has clear and obvious talent and he emotes well, though for me the backing got in the way of me truly feeling the track in places. A softer mix would have lifted this one to greater heights for me but it is still a good, worthwhile track that lets the writing and emotions carry much of the workload.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Dave Murphy - Josephine [Music Review] November 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Americana Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Few things stir the emotions like a lonely night in a dive bar. Dave Murphy captures that brand of isolation with his Americana track ‘Josephine.’Utilizing the dynamics of last call to rely the end of a relationship, Murphy perfectly captures the raw emotion of both and how the sand slips through the hourglass even faster at the end as the final grains settle down.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
PEPTALK - Blind [Music Review] November 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B, Adult Contemporary Rating: 4 out of 5 “Love is a complicated animal, and since no on else is inside our hearts it is often hard to see why a person stays or even what they saw in them in the first place. ’Blind’ from PEPTALK is a smooth groove that attempts to unruly the confusion our brans must unravel before we make any decision to give up on a love and move on. The R&B groove comes with a Pop vibe making this one fit across a few genres.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger