Tessa Dalton - You See Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Sometimes what we need us right there under our nose and yet we have a hard time seeing it. Tessa Dalton gives us a beautiful piano ballad about realizing the love she’s been searching for has been right there beside her all along.

’You See Me’ is about realizing that person locked in the so-called friend zone is the one that truly knows who you are and the one you can depend on but of course we all suffer from the grass is greener phenomenon that leads us to go for the wrong yet extic choice before we learn our lesson that different isn’t always better. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alanna Matty - Restless [Music Review]

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

Vilhelm Buchaus - Break My Heart Again [Music Review]

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

Roots of Creation with Matisyahu - Ocean Moon (Live at Sugarshack Sessions - Reggae Rise Up FL) [Music Review]

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

Zoë Vera - Don't Make It My Fault [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Heartbreak is one of the cornerstones of songwriting, with untold songs written on the subject, and yet talented artists like Zoë Vera continue to dip into this emotional well.

’Don’t Make It My Fault’ is about love gone wrong but Vera’s manages to give us a vulnerable and tender song without delving into the anger or jaded skepticism often found in such songs. Her vocal range and emotive delivery is impressive and this song has a haunting quality that makes you want to give her a comforting hug afterward.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Laila-I Hope It Kills You (Single Version) [Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“The delivery is soft and Laila sounds so nice. However, the hook is where you are drawn in. Once you hear it it makes you want to pay more attention to the lyrics and how hurt she is. I think there should be more song writing added to it instead of the hook carrying the song.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Alana Cruz - Telescope [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Alana Cruz has a sound that could be Country, could be Pop, could be an emotional singer/songwriter expressing their vulnerability and the good thing is great music transcends those type of labels and simply speaks to people’s hearts.

’Telescope’ is that kind of song.

At times I heard Natalie Maines of the Chicks, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mack and Brandi Carlile but in the end this is simply the talented Cruz, belting out her truths as she expresses what unrequited love and the yearning brand of hope that comes along with it truly feels like.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Claire London - Black Leather [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Claire London blends the Blues with Pop sensibilities to give us this track. ‘Black Leather’ offers enough of that sultry edge to tease and enough dirt and grit to truly make it all interesting.

The track is loosely based on London’s first meeting her eventual husband but at its heart it is about personal confidence and simply getting about your business because you are truly feeling it.

That self assured groove comes through and carries the track on its back for a nice ride.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

KTJ & CARLY - Forever Young [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Riding a slow methodical build over the first minute, the track begins to soar with the chorus, but before that the strong emotive vocals will make you lean in in anticipation.

None of us truly stay ‘Forever young’ but good music is a good way to forget that that and lose yourself in time for a while. KTJ & CARLY know how to create engaging tracks that speak directly to a listener’s heart.

I did find myself craving more lyrically and the track ended a verse or so too soon for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Annie Bacon & her Oshen - Mist [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I was hooked from the opening line. Annie Bacon & her Oshen delivers an emotional track that feels gritty and real.

There is more than a hint of Stevie Nicks to the tone, though the writing and overall vibe reminded more of Jason Isbell meets Lucinda Williams. Whatever you want to call it, this is songwriting glory performed by a talented and committed artist that ensures you feel every last word. Music as it should be!”

— 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

Jacob Neverhill - Wrong Time [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jacob Neverhill is a London based singer/songwriter pouring his heart out on ‘Wrong Time.’

The track is about catching that spark and finding a person that very well might be the right person but you have stumbled across thema t the absolute ‘Wrong Time’ in life.

The vibe is heavy on nostalgia and the sound timeless in that emotionally laden kind of way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

MICHA- DRUNK [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you think about being drunk in love then this would fall into that category. Micha pours his heart out in this contemporary romantic track. The song has a country mixed with rock vocal tone however, the emotions are clear over the guitar strings. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Jack West - I Realize [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jack West is one of those voices that hooks you quickly and efficiently without even appearing to try. Of course that is the art, making it appear effortless and easy when we all know only a small percentage of dreamers and schemers actually possess the ability to open their soul and let you see inside. ‘I realize’ is a track that you feel, as much as hear, and West is a voice you can’t turn away from. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - If You Were In Love [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This piano led emotional ballad of unrequited love is haunting and beautiful. Estella Dawn unfurls evocative and vulnerable vocals to go with strong writing and a tight melody that adds to the emotions of the track.

’If You Were In Love,’ delivers heartbreak and pain that the listener can feel in every line. The tone is different, but the raw power of this piece reminded me in P!nk in several places.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rubberband Girl - How High? [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rubberband Girl has a sound that feels like Sheryl Crow meets Dusty Springfield. The 70’s meets the 90’s here and yet the track does not feel retro as much as it does intuitive.

’How High?’ is a song that feels like you’ve heard it all your life after the first listen. Detailing our tendency to fall in with the one we love, and put up with/ do too much BS we otherwise wouldn’t, the track is quite tangible in its emotions. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA On Lock Blogger

Parker Smith - Air Stream [Music Review]

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

Joe McGown-Silhouettes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Joe McGowan’s song is a mixture of emotions. The song is sad, romantic, and a little dark. The visual aesthetics tells the love story but it also highlights the heartbreak. This song will keep you engage and wanting to know how the story ends.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [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

Julia Logan - Top of the World [Music Review]

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