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

Shane Rennison - I Think It's You [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The writing and premise of this track caught my attention and held me for the duration. I did crave more vocal variation from Shane Rennison on the track as the delivery stays with that one melancholic tone for the duration.

At its heart, ‘I Think It Is You,’ is a breakup song or at least one of self reflection that is going to lead to a breakup. Realizing the person you thought could be a long-term partner isn’t the one is a tough call and an emotional one a we first have to admit we were wrong in our original assessment. ”

— 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]

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

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

Sterlen Roberts -Spoil You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The song has an old Contemporary R&B vibe to it. Sterlen Roberts plans the perfect night to”Spoil You”. The tempo is fast yet steady still creating a romantic rhythm. Around the 1:15 mark there’s a sample of Soulja Boy but the rapping and examples doesn’t take away from the track.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Lauren Minear- Chasing Daylight [Music Video Review]

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]

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

Marcy Brown x Anne Christine Dekker Xmas Each Day (feat. Anne Chris) [Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“The beat gives a classic yet soulful melody. My disconnection came from the vocal delivery. The artist didn’t put all of her emotions in so you can feel the song in your heart. It makes you want to snap along with it.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Lauren Woo - Gold Plated [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There are solid gold people and then there are the ‘Gold Plated’ among us that can but on a thin veneer for a short time before the truth beings to show through. Lauren Woo lifts the veil on these fakers with her new track which was inspired by wisdom gained from her grandmother.

Lauren Woo shared, ‘This song is a tribute to my incredible grandmother, a woman whose wisdom has been a guiding light in my life. She once told me that in life, you’ll encounter people who are ‘gold plated’ and not solid gold. It’s not always obvious, and you’ll experience highs and lows where true colors are revealed. In those moments, it’s crucial to stand firm in your morals and recognize when it’s okay to let go of relationships that aren’t meant to be.’

The overall sound is a melancholic Pop vibe with a slight theatrical edge.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock

KJ(!) - Good Day [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Looking for something different? Look no further than KJ(!)’squirky track ‘Good Day.’

Riding a funking beat and simple, yet catchy lyrical hook the track is simply infectious in the best ways. I couldn’t stop listing the first time and the same has hel through multiple listens though I am hard-pressed to explain why.

The track has a friendly vibe like a bit of advice from a friend telling you not to let the world grind you down and the arrangement is simply fun. The talent is there though the track has a simple brilliance to it that carries the day. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Flora Cash - HOLY WATER [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Right in time for the season, Flora Cash sprinkles some dark ethereal ‘HOLY WATER’ into your ears. Let me share a few words direct from the artists before I say more msyelf

’As the veil between worlds thins approaching Halloween, this track tells a story of timeless connections and souls reuniting, merging mythic themes with contemporary Indie Pop nuances. Shpresa Lleshaj’s haunting lead vocal and Djordje Milanovic’s mournful violas stand out above a dynamic and almost operatic production.’ ~ Flora Cash

The haunting vocals mesmerize, as does the violin accompaniment. Far too many seasonal songs take a cliched and often kitschy angle, but this track is a perfect balance and is artistic in a way few such songs pull off. So much so, I hesitate to call it a holiday track as it is something I will be listening to year round.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

A-Zal -Lonely Town [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We always wonder how someone started their career. A-Zal takes us on his personal journey from being a New York subway musician to writing sound tracks for Marvel Studios. “Lonely Town” is the story of an underdog and his breakthrough. The soft delivery makes the song sound sad but it creates a relax comfort of accomplishment.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

First NLR Worship - Hope (feat. Tim Hill) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A song of pure inspiration. First NLR Worship delivered a spiritually chilling song that gives exactly what the title suggest “Hope”. Simple but powerful drums that weight in as the heart beat of the production which angelic vocals being delivered by Tim Hill. This is the type of song you listen to when you need that extra boost to go on with life and all its’s worries and sorrows. Masterful, powerful, music. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Ellisa Sun - Once Upon a Time [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ellisa Sun’s “Once Upon a Time” is chilled track that you can lay back and listen too. The Jazz melody pulls you in with a contemporary R&B tempo. The food analogies that she incorporates into the track makes you truly feel the emotions in the lyrics. This song is about letting go and feeling ok about it.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

AiramFM -Heartbeat [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“This song is sad but it is also a song of expression. AiramFM tells the story of the day she saw her 46 year old mother pass away from cancer. She describes her emotions as well as each touch. She isn’t reaching out for sympathy but describes how her heart still beats with the memories even if her heart is still broken form the loss.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Chris Shaba - Feelings Gone [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I like the finger snapping throughout Chris Shaba’s “Feelings Gone”. The song builds an emotional pull to anyone who is listening. Feelings are hard to deal with especially when you put your all into it and there’s a trigger that allows them to disappear. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

King Bliss - 3AM [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Its not everyday you hear an artist marry, lyrical brilliance with a 80s style R&B/soul style production. That alone shows the genius of King Bliss. The hook song by Tselane Love is 90s R&B in its purest form. This is both fresh and innovative and leads King Bliss to a space to stall in a lane all his own. Witty, well versed bars. Smooth and chill...never changing in tone but never lacking in energy of entertainment value. This is a vibe.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Karim Panzetta -No Angel [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Karim Panzetta describes the infatuation with a woman to be the opposite of angelic. She is so intriguing it can be deadly to the heart. “No Angel” has the sounds of The Weeknd with Pop meets RnB. The lyrics are so descriptive it allow you to visualize how intriguing this person is.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Jordyn Sugar -Fool of Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Loving someone is hard. Fool of Me is about finally allowing yourself to love someone but having to engage in a broken heart. The worst part is watching them be with someone else. Jordyn Sugar walks us through pain and the process of getting over someone. We will never get why they always want to know if we are ok when they choose to make a fool of you.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]