Celine Love - Nude [Music Review] April 26, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 My biggest knock here is I wanted more. Celine Love offers up a haunting and vulnerable set of vocals on this track that elevates her talent and demands listeners take notice.’Nude’ is a track that is laid bare by the performance and you can feel that in every single line. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Wurme - Fading (feat. 9B49) [Music Review] April 26, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Future Bass Rating: 3.5 out of 5 A big and bold theatrical track brimming with talent, emotion, and a build that makes it hard to turn away. The buzz effect did grow stale for me at times, but the vocal tone and engaging lyrical build overcame that for me. This is a song to feel, so close your eyes, lean back and let it wash over you as it climaxes toward a satisfying end. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
EĐĐIE - Letters April 26, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 Written from an actual letter the artist received, ‘Letters’ is an engaging ride from singer/songwriter EĐĐIE.The track ahs an Alt Pop or Indie Rock kind of vibe. The vocal performance is emotive and keeps the listener leaning in for the duration as t builds to his response to the letter. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
R3HAB x Jason Derulo - Animal [Music Review] April 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Lyric Video, Music, Commercial, EDM Rating: 3.5 out of 5 This is a collaboration that will have plenty of eager fans ready to dive straight in. R3HAB teams with Jason Derulo to deliver ‘Animal.’The track is about what you’d expect from two talented artists and the energy is palpable. Get out ont he floor and move or adds this one to those energetic playlists to get you motivated and moving. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Jacob Neverhill - Wrong Time [Music Review] April 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Commercial 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
Natalie K - Dance With Me [Music Review] April 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 There are few things as captivating as that perfect night here in LA. ‘Dance With Me’ captures the majestic beauty and sparkling grace of one of those nights on the town.Natalie K utilizes a low key smooth groove to convey the emotions and magic and it comes through with ease in this engaging track. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
David Frank - Don't Miss A Moment [Music Review] April 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Folk, Pop, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 David Frank is poised to be the next big name in the Folk Pop sound. This high energy track and strong writing offers an upbeat bit of motivation. LIke a warm hug this one wraps around you and pulls you in close.There will probably be Mumford comparisons but this one feels a little tighter and more Commercial overall for me. I expect to hear this track a lot this coming summer. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Born Runner - Lose Yourself Tonight [Music Review] April 17, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 A high-energy track that sort of feels like Bruno Mars meets Neon Trees.Born Runner delivers a unique sound so pinning them to any particular genre, or one direct comparison to another artist is tough, but I’ll call ‘Lose Yourself Tonight’ a Indie Rock Funk and say it is a perfect track for any motivational or party playlist because it delivers fun energy at every single turn. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Marella - I Think She's In Love With Me [Music Review] April 12, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Marella has a Retro vibe over a Contemporary sound. That might sound weird but give them a lsitena nd you’ll see what I mean.There are elements of surf rock and some traditional vibes to go with a lively West Coast spirit that feels right at home in today’s Pop landscape. Beach Boys meets Glass Animals.’I Think She’s In Love With Me,’ is about that hopeless feeling of falling in live and there is a nice blend of emotion and nostalgia to make you feel the lyrical build each step of the way. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Jack West - I Realize [Music Review] April 12, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop, Folk 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
Bad Flamingo - Numb [Music Review] April 11, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Americana, blues Rating: 4 out of 5 No artist or band delivers dark, folksy blues the way Bad Flamingo can. The raspy tone and air of alluring mystery permeates most of their work and this intriguing duo keeps cranking out the engaging tracks utilizing that branded sound. ’Numb’ paints a picture and transports the listener to a dimly lit backstreet, a dusty dirt path, a concrete wasteland as a vagabond traveler drops the decree of the despondent, the independent, the restless. This track is a vibe and so is Bad Flamingo. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Estella Dawn - If You Were In Love [Music Review] April 10, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary, Alternative, Pop, Commercial 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
Abi Muir - Blueprint [Music Review] April 10, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Pop Rating: 4.5 out of 5 This is a glorious Pop song with a unique spin on a very common refrain. Abi Muir infuses energy and emotion into this track about trying to move on after the relationship you thought was the one is over. ’Blueprint’ is about that set of plans we conjure when we think we’ve found our soulmate and that person doesn’t feel the same so they move on leaving you to compare everyone you meet and date to that person and blueprint they left upon your mind and soul. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Karen Lee Batten - Somewhere in Between [Music Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Country, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 This is a tricky review for me. I do hear and appreciate the talent, though my personal Country tastes lean more toward the Outlaw and Americana sound, rather than the more Commercial Mainstream cranked out by Nashville. This track however falls in between with a sound that harkens to the 90’s brand of Country Music rarely heard among the Pop heavy and bro-country stars of today. All that said, Karen Lee Batten clearly has the talent to deliver an emotionally laden song and this single, ‘Somewhere In Between’ does the job she intends. Fans of of the retro 90s sound will appreciate this track, and who knows maybe Batten can help lead Country music back to a better place. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Rubberband Girl - How High? [Music Review] April 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk 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
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