A-Zal - Phonebook [Music Video Review] April 26, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Commercial, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter 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] 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
MICHA- DRUNK [Review] April 24, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary 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] 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
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
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
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
Joe McGown-Silhouettes [Music Video Review] March 24, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Singer/Songwriter 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] March 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Indie Rock 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] March 22, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Folk, Singer/Songwriter 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
stew - Diorama [Music Review] March 20, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Delivering a raw, singer /songwriter type track, ‘Diorama’ showcases stew’s talent and emotive power. The writing is sharp, and the performance drips with feeling. This track is about those well-intentioned friends and family often think they know what’s best for us. When you are an artist, chasing what can be viewed as an impossible dream to the nondreamers of the world, those manipulations and comments from others only intensify as they “suggest’ what you should be doing what your life more freely. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Lauren Minear- Chasing Daylight [Music Video Review] March 06, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Adult Contemporary, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 5 out of 5 Lauren Minear takes us on a journey of discovery. She visually shows us how she wears multiple hats in this heartfelt track. Instead of being in a dark setting she chases daylight. This symbolically tells us she no longer wants to live her life in darkness. — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Cece Benz - End Us [Music Review] February 27, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 This track is about regret and love. Often, regrets over love come from not taking that shot, but this track is about not breaking up with you know the relationship is not for you. It is about the regret of fighting for something you don’t even want in the first place. Cece Benz has artfully written every word to give this track a literary story feel that not many songwriters can pull off as effectively as ‘End Us’ does.The great writing here makes the listener personally invested right form the beginning. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Dan Johnson - Along the Way [Music Video Review] February 21, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Rock, Commercial, Americana, Adult Contemporary 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
LVRBOY - 16 [Music Review] February 03, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 LVRBOY takes us on a nostalgic ride back in time with ‘16.’ All those first magical experiences are impossible to duplicate and the further we get from them the more we romanticize such memories. This track delivers that gut punch of remembrance and my only real critique is I wanted so much more as the track felt super short barely cracking the two minute mark. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Dayna Reid - This House [Music Video Review] January 29, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Country, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 3.5 out of 5 This track from Canadian artist, Dyna Reid leans more into the Mainstream Country sound than I usually connect with, though her rich vocal tone and earnest lyrics kept me invested in the build. ‘This House’ doesn’t break a ton of new ground, though it is delivered with solid talent and rises above the fray by feeling genuine and honest which has long been the bastion of good Country music. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Mezna - Bullets [Music Review] January 12, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 Emotive passion is the earmark of the vocal delivery on ‘Bullets.’ There are hints of Ed Sheeran and John Legend early on here here as the emotionally charged track offers strong instrumentation. The addition of a second set of vocals elevates the song to new heights and her tender delivery drives home to longing anguish of this track. The back and forth dialogue is heart wrenching and oh so captivating. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kurt Lee Wheeler - Girl From California (Acoustic) [Music Review] January 12, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Indie Rock Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Starting over is never easy and in this track about losing yourself for the purpose of reinviting who you are, Kurt Lee Wheeler tell the story of a girl running from her past. The emotion and pain is evident in the delivery and this Folksy track tell a tale we can all relate to on some level. Stripepd downa dn bare this one resonates best as a solo endeavor to allow your brain to truly listen and process. — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Mantocliff- Centuries [Review] December 18, 2023 by Kreadiv Kesh in Folk, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 The flow of the song has a peaceful yet tranquil sound to it. If you was looking for something to listen to and relax this would be it. Mantocliff carries a subtle emotion through out the song that doesn’t drift a listener away but allows them to build an emotional connection. — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Teigen Gayse -Sleeping With Her [Music Video Review] December 12, 2023 by Kreadiv Kesh in Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 Teigen Gayse delivers a classic country track. She dives into the restlessness of heartache, in a beautifully shot, introspective video for her “Sleeping With Her”. This is a track where you are torn with sadness, disappointment, loneliness, and being angry all in one. As Teigen tosses and turns in her sleep she manages to stay consistent with her emotions in each verse. — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]