Running Lights - Next Year (Acoustic) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The end of the years tends to bring out reflections in all of us ... where we are, as opposed to where we hoped we’d find ourselves. The New Year then turns those feeling into resolutions and goals.

This track captures the emotions of all of that in a few minutes and entertains us with a calm melody and emotional performance as it does so. There is a sort of a Pop/Coffee house vibe to the track making it not truly fit in any genre. But good music is good music, and it rarely needs a definition.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Zack Ely x DEEGAN - Rough [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track has a smooth Pop feel from the very first beat and word. Lyrically, the track can be interpreted varied ways, and I suspect it will hit people differently based upon their own beliefs and life experiences. The vocals are layered and capture your focus with a stellar performance that brings the emotion to the forefront.

Drawing a comparison here is tough, as Zack Ely has a voice that hints at a few well names, but still clearly stands out all on its own. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kenza - Fool For You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kenza delivers a classic pop vocal performance on her latest single, ‘Fool For You.’ Both vocally and the melodically, the song carries hints of a retro 90’s vibe. And yet, the track still brings a definite contemporary vibe, especially during the chorus, which rings with confidence, even though the track is about being so head over heels in love that you feel out of control.

The single is one that feels almost timeless from the first listen. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

HeartMouth - Be Alright [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An emotionally charged ode to finding the possibilities in the very face of difficult times.

Our outlooks can carry us in the same way as a nice melody and beat can carry a song with darker lyrics to a lighter place.

This song echoes life by highlighting the choices we make, and accentuating the fact that quite often it’s not over until we decide that it is. There is a folk rock (Mumford & Sons) feeling to this track that serves it well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kayla Rae - Get Close [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We have featured a few songs on LA on Lock from Kayla Rose now so it is safe to say we dig her vocal talent. This latest single, ‘Get Close’ is a fun flip of the 90’s Maxi Priest hit, ‘Close To You.’

Playing off the lyrics from that single, this track delivers a fresh contemporary Pop/R&B vibe that stands out fully of its own strengths. The tie in here is more of a fun fact, than a requirement to enjoying Rae’s latest single. That said it is fun to give both a listen to get both sides of the story.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Michael G Moore - Fall To Sleep [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“At first listen, Michael G Moore’s latest single ‘Fall To Sleep’ comes across as half classic Rock ballad and half adult lullaby, but with subsequent spins, the track feels like so much more.

Written with the approaching birth of his daughter in mind, the track encompasses those emotions as well as the broader thoughts on the state of the world that often hits new parents as they prepare for not only their future, but far beyond. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jacqui Fauni - Computation [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a fun and sassy song and honestly, the line ... dial 1-800 stay the fuck out of my life ... had me hooked for good.

The tone hear is light and airy and the writing clever and zingworthy throughout. The upbeat tempo is defiant yet fun and the vocal flow uses a few different paces to keep it fresh and engaging.

A fun song start to finish. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

KILLBOY - JUST ME [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An appealing tone, and a steady beat hooked me early on even as I struggled to connect lyrically. This is the kind of track that pulls you in fast with beat, melody and vocal talent, but it takes several listens to fully decipher and digest the lyrics. The beauty of this is that you get surprised in the best way with subsequent listens. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ethan Patrick & TyC - I Won't Watch You Cry [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Alluring vocals lead us into the heartbreak and pain of a relationship that has shrunk away to nothing. Slow and steady this single unfolds as the mind unravels what comes next while also building walls of protection.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

PIWA - Hundreds (Prod. by nïko) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A nice cadence pulled me in from the start before the track settled in and hooked me lyrically. Talent and production meshed quite well here to create a track that holds you and leaves you wanting more. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kate Vogel - Rain [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The best musical artists often defy genre in that they write such meaningful lyrics and deliver them with emotion laden performances that resonate with music lovers across the board. Kate Vogel is such an artist, and with every submission I’ve heard from her repertoire, my appreciation for her talent grows. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Payson Lewis - Nothing To You [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The wrong relationships leaves you depleted and wondering who you truly are. Payson Lewis explores those emotions with tight vocals and a gritty guitar melody on this track and the result is a rocking Pop single more than worthy of your ears.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rallie & Coal - Prom Queen Crown (Acoustic) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A soft emotional singer/songwriter vibe that delves into the often misguided nostalgia of remembering your high school years. The track brings a nice guitar melody and a delicately pleasing voice.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Marrius - Easy Fix [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Marrius drops ‘Easy Fix,’ a track that feels dark and alluring in a modern Noir sort of way.

The track basically asks ... How far are you willing to go, for what you’re not even supposed to have? ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kensington Moore - Karma [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Kensington Moore serves up a piping hot dish with her single ‘Karma.’

They say Karma is a bitch and revenge is best served cold, but this track is a steaming dagger to the heart of those who have put themselves in karma’s path. Haunting and beautiful and impactful, this is a track everyone can relate to. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Damian Lynn - What Is It [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An uptempo Pop track that captivates with a variety of tempos and vocal styles. The accompanying video does a good job of adding to the emotional turmoil of the lyrics. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

CAii - Problem. [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The songwriting is spot on here ... snappy and emotional and full of Amen! moments for anybody that has been there.

I did find myself wishing at times the beat and melody brought the same level of power.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tyler Shamy - Pills [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There are lots of songs about battling depression, but few if any nail the struggle as well as this track.

’Pills’ brings an up and down energy, an array of emotion, and an engaging narrative that feels real and entertaining without sacrificing emotion or impact. Style wise this is Commercial Pop with a hard beat and an Electro Pop melody over soulful vocal delivery, ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hemlock - Falling Down [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The production on this track is as spot on as the beat. A pleasing electronic melody adds to the emotion of the lyrics providing a nice balance between a talented set of vocals, and an uplifting lyrical refrain to the chorus. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LOST - Twentysomething [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The best songs are the ones you can listen to over and over again. The ones where you find subtle new meanings even years after you first hear it. ‘Twentysomething’ has that sort of vibe as it is nuanced and layered, both in the construct of the the beat and melody, but also in the songwriting and vocal delivery. The piece starts slow before revving up the energy level and throughout the lyrics are engaging and thought-provoking. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)