Illiterate Light - Montauk [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Illiterate Light gives us a languid, thinking man kind of track with ‘Montauk.’

Inspired by the theme of the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the song takes on the emotional and mental game of attempting what you suspect will ultimately go down as a failure.

The track has what I’d called an organized chaos feel and vibe. Which is apt given that is pretty much how our brains function.

The song is long for modern music, and that, along with the deeper subject matter, will probably keep it from reaching hit status. Though it is the kind of Alternative/Indie Rock release that is likely to develop a cult following of very dedicated fans.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Halo Kitsch - BETWEEN YOUR TEETH [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Halo Kitsch has some fun calling out the fake hypocrisy of those who work so damn hard to be perfect. Perfect and predictable is a manufactured illusion fed these days by social media likes and follows. ‘BETWEEN YOUR TEETH’ is an ode to the real ones, the true friends that will tell you not what you want to hear, but what you NEED to hear.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tamar Berk - That's Not a Lie [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some songs simply grab hold and refuse to let go. Tamar Berk certainly has talent and a pleasing tone though I can’t fully explain why this one stuck to me so fiercely. The delivery and melody are nice, but the hook and lyrical refrain of the song is what grabbed me and refused to let go.

Like an ear worm in the best of ways!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Joshua Golden - I Can't Wait To Meet You [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Most of us long to find that elusive soulmate, and while waiting, we come up with our ideas and ideals of what that person will be like. Joshua Golden taps into those expectations with his tack, ‘I Can’t Wait To Meet You.’

The song straddles that line between Pop and Rap to create a Commercial track that should appeal to a wide audience. The emotion and performance and added snippets of conversation on each end really come together to feel true and genuine.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ingrid Avison - Time Travelling Cowboy [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Ingrid Avison unleashes her debut single, ‘Time Travelling Cowboy.’ The emotive delivery highlight Avison’s songwriting and vocal talent.

With a slight tremble at times that sells the words well, Avison has that classic Americana vibe that feels like a kinder softer Lucinda Williams mixed with some of the strong emotion of a Brandi Carlile.

I did at times crave a stronger sense of build and escalation from the arrangement.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kylie Rothfield - The Barrel [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kylie Rothfield caught the attention of Alicia Keys and afte rthis track you’ll understand why. ‘The Barrel’ is a smooth Alt Pop track dripping with emotion and vocal talent. The track ahs some late 80s or early 90s vibes yet still has a contemporary vibe thanks to the writing and strong emotive performance of Rothfield. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eden Rain - Taking [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“London-based artist Eden Rain takes an Alt Pop angle on her latest single ‘Taking.’

The track comes from her highly anticipated upcoming EP, ‘Anyway, How Are You?’

The narrative style lyricism works well here though I did crave a more emotive edge given the vocal side is produced to give a low-key distant kind of vibe. Rain does offer a nie look at the complexities of human relationships, while unraveling the intricate dynamics of the people around her.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Vilhelm Buchaus - My Mistake [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sometimes the painful truth is plain as day and yet we choose to ignore it. Vilhelm Buchaus is all about this dynamic on his new single, ‘My Mistake.’

The track has a 90’s Indie Rock vibe as it showcases a relationship that is doomed from the start even though he is diving in head first with the realization it won’t end well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Richard Tyler Epperson - All My Life [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Richard Tyler Epperson taps into his personal history with the track, ‘All My LIfe.’

The talented songwriter has taken a song that his father first recorded as a, acoustic demo and put his own spin on it to create a link and legacy with his father. Motivated by the recent passing of his father, Epperson utilizes the emotion and meaning to give us a song that is personally meaningful to him that also has the ability to resonate with others in an impactful way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dax - Lonely Dirt Road [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dax is a versatile artist adept at conveying emotion via a variety of genres, but you can always hear and feel the passion fueling his artistry.

’Lonely Dirt Road’ straddles that line between the Rock and the Nashville style of modern Pop Country. The delivery is deliberate and emotive. A few times I craved a touch less production on the vocal side because I have faith Dax could have delivered these emotional words straight up with quite so much production coloring the sound. That said, this is a track that is accessible to all and one easy to feel as much as you hear.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lisa Heller - LOSER! [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lisa Heller is anything but a ‘Loser!!’ Though she sings that refrain with ease and kill. Delivery a Pop Punk brand of high-energy, Heller straddles the line of Pop Princess and Punk Girl Bad-Ass quite ably.

It’s hard to imagine her losing anything she wants to keep but this tracks has punch and you can’t help but believe in the performance and the artist.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Caroline Romano - Pretty Boys [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Caroline Romano always delivers with a strong emotive performance and this latest single, ‘Pretty Boys,’ delivers on those expectations.

’Pretty Boys is my honest recount of heartbreak,’ Caroline shares. ‘It’s like reading straight from my diary—a dramatic story with a terribly disappointing ending. The song is a cautionary tale about the blurry line between friendship and something more. Just because you’ve kissed him doesn’t mean you should do it again, and just because he looks at you that way doesn’t mean you’re the only one.’

Romano knows how to tap into her own experiences and emotions to give listeners a full spectrum of artistry. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shriya - Her

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A big soaring Alt Pop track with singer/songwriter vibes, ‘Her’ offers a smooth and emotional build that speaks to the insecurities and fears many of us possess. WIth that said, this track avoids a wallowing kind of despair, delving instead onto an honest vulnerability that makes the lyrics feel real and of course the talented performance hooks the listener in from the very beginning.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Julian [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“If you don’t know Estella Dawn by now then you clearly haven’t been reading my blogs and reviews. Dawn is a talented Pop artists from the San Diego area and I have featured a number of her tracks. ‘Julian is but the latest from this talented artist that continues to create and perform talented songs that entertain while delivering emotional depth and intelligence.

Dawn is one of my favorite Southern California artists and really has proven her place in the So Cal musical landscape. Now the rest of the world needs to catch up.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Richard Tyler Epperson - Dream [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The wordplay is cleverly and intelligently rendered on this Indie Rock gem from Richard Tyler Epperson. ‘Dream’ is an ode to taking care of you own mental space, the dance between reality and escapism because let’s face it we all need a break from all that life hits us with. But of course you can’t let the mind wander to far or you never really get where you want to go.”

— Quote Source

Òlah Bliss - Bang Bang [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Originally hailing from Poland, Olah Bliss now dwells within the musical landscape of London. ‘BAng Bang’ is a timeless Alt Pop offering that would have been at home any of the last several decades, which is a testament to the versatility and range of talent on display in the track.

Bliss’s performance is engaging and nuanced and the energetic build is gripping. Musically, the hard edges and industrial feel adds to the emotion of the track in a meaningful way. All of which highlights the artistry and carefully crafted nature of this song. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Kind - nashville [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Kind is a male/female duo from the UK and it is clear they share a powerful chemistry that is tangible in their creative artistry.

’nashville’ is a song of yearning hope and vulnerability. An Alt Pop bit of emotional perfection that grips the mind, body, and soul to anyone that has ever experienced a deep, unrequited yearning. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JJ Wilde - I'm Not Crazy You're Just an Asshole (Toxic) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This track features a straightforward video, but the strength lies in its lyrics. JJ Wilde delivers a powerful and direct message about dealing with someone toxic. The alternative rock sound adds a burst of energy, making the song both playful and serious—a perfect blend of intensity and fun”

— Kreadiv KesH [LA On Lock Blogger]

MOTHICA - Another High [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“MOTHICA unleashes an honest reflective style of fury on ‘Another High.’ The cycles of addiction are something most of us can relate to, though MOTHICA distills the poison down to a drinkable elixir.

Truth, honesty, vulnerability fuel every line on this Al Pop gem. There is a lot to unpack on this track, so add this one to your playlists and listen when you need to better understand your own shortcoming or the jacked up world around you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Joveth - Say My Name [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The talent and emotion carry this Alt Pop track. Joveth emotes the pian and loneliness on ‘Say My Name,’ and while the repetition of the chorus did carry on a beat longer than I wanted the overall track drips with feeling and passion.

Joveth is just beginning his musical journey and I look forward to seeing how high this talented artist can soar. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger