Rita Ora - Ask And You Shall Receive [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The video is visually appealing and will have boys and men alike lined up to watch the obvious attempt to district with sexuality. Musically, the track has obvious talent, but isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel.

’Ask And You Shall Receive’ is pleasing enough in tone and structure, though the song does not offer enough uniqueness or originality to be more than a flash.

Overt eye candy aside, this song simply uses a tried and true Pop formula to carve a temporary mark on the musical headboard.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

jocelvn - spiral [Music Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“I had a mixed reaction to jocelvn’s new release, ‘spiral.’ The vocal talent and emotive delivery had me captivated, as did the subtle beauty of the video and imagery.

The writing was strong as well, though I was not a huge fan of the way the track wound down and for me the ending felt unnaturally abrupt, as if it had been cut off. Though overall, it was the production dynamics that I struggled with. The track felt overproduced and for my taste it would have been better served to simply let the vocal talent and emotion carry the song.

As always, let me know in the comments what you think? Did I miss the point of this one or was the talent diminished by the production and abrupt conclusion?”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alexander Stewart - how dare you [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Alexander Stewart digs deep into the emotional depths of his mind to deliver this Pop anthem. Honest and real are the trademarks of the lyrical power, and Stewart’s vocal talent and range help deliver it with precision.

This is a rising artist to keep an eye on as he continues to develop and grow. I expect big things but already, ‘How Dare You’ feels like a huge hit.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

LennyTunes x prettygood! - Inner Child [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“I really liked the strong writing and vocal talent here thought he production got inthe way of the experience for me at times. THe emotion and songwriting speak to me but the embellishments and various backing vices took away in places.

This is a thinking, pondering track that reveals its layers slowly, so give it a few listens and settle in with your town thoughts. The visuals of the video compliments the vibe quite well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

A-Zal - Phonebook [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The dating world is a chaotic scene these days and A-Zal has some phone with the ups and downs of the modern dating scene on his track, ‘Phonebook.’

This energetic Pop track has a nice hook and rhythm that is hard not to fall in and sing along with. The higher register doesn’t often work for me but the tone and energy of this one was the rare exception in that regard as I couldn’t help but start moving along to the cadence and beat. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dude It's Nolan - Long Way [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dude It’s Nolan utilizes multiple voices to deliver this track, but each one of them hits with passion and precise timing. The beat and production pair perfectly with the intensity of the lyrics.

Hard hitting and sharp at every turn, ‘Long Way’ is a song that proves these talented dudes are in fact, only a short way from breaking out in a very big way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

maryjo - Should Be Us [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The emotions runs strong and clear in ‘Should Be Us,’ from maryjo.

A track about watching your ex move on faster than you are, this song captures that stunned bewilderment and the questions such a spark can conjure. Especially if the prior relationship went on for a long time and you are left wondering how much this new person truly knows about your ex.

This feels like Commercial gold, and I expect to hear this one a lot this summer and beyond. Get in early and ride the wave.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Joh Chase - When I Got This Place [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Joh Chase is fast becoming one of my favorite submitters to LA on Lock. A little bit Sheryl Crow, a little bit Brandi Carlile, and a wholelot star in the making, Chase simply grabs the torch from those contemporaries and takes a turn holding it high.

’When I got This Place’ is pure LA, yet still has that universal spirit that will carry it far beyond the sun rays of Southern California. A groove and vibe that simply wraps around you like a lovers embrace after a hard day.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alexander Stewart - broken by you [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Alexander Stewart delivers this passionate Pop track about heartbreak and how we handle it.

’Broken By You’ is a wonderfully rendered track detailing a relationship when one side doesn’t want to let go, but understands the other person cannot stay. A song of taking the higher road despite having your heart shattered and delivered with emotion and talented precision.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jade LeMac - Pick A Fight [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jade LeMac toes the line between love and hate in her latest single, ‘Pick A Fight.’ The track has a decided Pop edge, but definitely comes with a lyrical sharpness as well that will make you think long after that infectious beat and chorus have subsided.

The simply, yet effective video works perfectly to deliver the punch of the songwriting.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dan Johnson - Along the Way [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Dan Johnson boldly sings the line ... I’d rather be a fool tomorrow, than a coward any day ... in his new single, ‘Along The Way,’ and in that simple brilliance, can be found both an idea and an ideal on how to live life.

Putting yourself out there, risking yourself in the name of love is dangerous and leaves us all vulnerable. Though of course not doing so, not allowing others to truly know who and what we are, leaves us isolated and alone. This uplifting track is a reminder to us all — you can’t truly live without taking some risks along the way.

The earmark of a great song is playability. A good song you can listen to a few times and be content, but a great song soars to life and compels you to listen time and time again. And with each listen you feel the emotion and come to a personal understanding that very well may transcend beyond the artist’s original intent as you layer in your own experience with the sentiments being sung. This is that type of song.

The genre is tricky here ,as the track defiantly and artistically straddles a many different lines. Big and theatrical. the single comes with elements of Indie Rock, Americana, and Gospel. At times it conjured thoughts of the Lion King with the chants and uplifting mantra that would be right at home on any Broadway stage or musical soundtrack.

But gerne is a marketers game anyway. For we consumers the lines are simple ... not for me, good, or outstanding.

And this track lands square in the latter category for me. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cloe Wilder - Fake ID [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Seventeen is a sandwich year. The euphoria that comes with the freedom of a driver’s license has faded and the big bastion of adulthood, eighteen, is still off on the distant horizon so it is no wonder seventeen is the time or restlessness and yearning.

’Fake ID,’ by Cloe Wilder captures this with Pop perfection.

The track, and accompanying video, are fun and entertaining, but they also harbor a hint of darkness as the naiveness of childhood is pushed aside by the hungry lust for adulthood.

Of course everything in this world comes with a price which most of us do not learn until it is too late. This track layers int he fun and the the education these experiences give us as we transition in life.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Stela Cole - Die Hard [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Stela Cole has a smoky brand of vocals that are emotive and powerful yet still vulnerable and sultry at times. There is a hint of gravel that reminded me of Miley but the overall style felt unique enough for Cole to avoid any direct comparisons.

’Die Hard’ is about those bad or at least flawed relationships that are never quite destructive or absolute enough for a clean end and break so it begins to feel like a bad loop of break-ups and make-ups. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Daniel Ellsworth - After All [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Daniel Ellsworth’s new track, “After All’ hot me like a psychedelic Elton John. Sure, Elton had his days of altered state and had some out there songs but Ellsworth hasn’t created anything derivative here in his vibe. Was more of a feeling for me with hints of Elton John and Grateful Dead as a loose connector to the sound.

The video is also trippy by Ellsworth and his band the Great Lakes also infuse emotion and a strong sense of build in the track so besides the talent I was pulled in and took the full ride.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Flowtone - Eats Me Alive [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Flowtone unleashes a slow build on ‘Eats Me Alive,’ a vibe-heavy Indie Rock track.

If Coldplay and the Chili Peppers merged for one night, the result might sound something like this. We all have those things that eat at us from the inside out and this track not only delivers that emotion lyrically, but also in the overall tone.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Indecent Proposal - Behind Her Eyes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“My closest comparison to the sound and vibe of this track from new band Indecent Proposal is the Black Crowes. ‘Behind Her Eys’ has a rock ballad feel but hints of Americana lurk in the sound and the result is an emotionally-fueled track that is the perfect accompaniment to a psychedelic trip or a calming jam session for that cross-country road trip.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kuttem Reese - "TYFNB" + REESE EP [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Kuttem Reese is pissed to hit that next level. The Orlando, Florida rapper is a Hip-Hop star on the rise and his new eighteen track album is more fuel on the fire.

This track is about remembering the path and the pitfalls, the haters, the doubter, the struggle it took to climb the ladder. The video adds to the vibes and really dials in the track’s lyrical intent which is delivered with precision and a smooth talent. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rosa Mack - When I'm Alone [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rosa Mack delivers this track with silky smooth power. The blues-charged soul track is a gospel of sorts for self-empowerment.

’When I’m Alone’ is all about shedding what binds you and not letting others drag you down or hold you back. The track rises into a powerful crescendo, but is captivating from note one. highlighting Mack’s power not only as a vocal performance but as a songwriter.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Thorslund - Hours to Go [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Thorslund is back with that hard charging rock sound that is at home no matter the decade. Get pumped for the weekend with ‘Hours To Go.’

The band was founded by the Thorslund brothers and takes the vintage rock sounds of the 70’s and 80s and brings them to today with fun, energetic lyrics to get you off your phone and back out in the world because this is music to move by. Be it strutting down the Sunset Strip or mashing that gas pedal and hitting the open road. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Andi Jane - Hide the Key [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“knowing when to walk away is important but few of us have that kind of self awareness. Andi Jane delivers this soulful Pop Ballad about that very thing. ‘Hide The Key’ utilizes her emotive vocals and a piano heavy melody to draw the listener into the right frame of mind for this track about moving on, despite nostalgia and a strong lingering love that isn’t quite meeting all the needs.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger