Micah Banks x Calabasas x Atom - Easy [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track tells a story, not only in the emotional and passionate lyrics, but also in a well crafted video.

’Easy’ dives into the dysfunctional rules of love and broken hearts. The fact it is easy to blame the other person when the one you loves strays.

The song is nuanced and real, just as modern love tends to be, and the ride is emotional and genuine. Combining EDM with a Contemporary R&B brand of delivery, the single takes a few surprising turns in its arrangement and video presentation, but holds the listener throughout.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Collection - Won't Stop Yet [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“So many times we are told to have faith ... things will work out. Truth is that isn’t always the case and yet we keep ;-lugging along through life putting one foot in front of the other. ‘Won’t Stop Yet’ is an anthem of sorts honoring that stubbornness while admitting the effort might not be rewarded the way we want or expect.

The vocal tone is folksy while the arrangement is a energetic and uplifting. The track feels like a celebration of this imperfect thing we call life. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Peaceful James - Love Like Vegas [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Peaceful James captures a nice blend of Funk, Rock and Roll, and energy with the track ‘Love Like Vegas’ This is the genre bending kind of sound that you’d expect from The Black Keys or Jack White and the energy is as palpable as your heartbeat. For all its sinful brand of fun Vegas is a hard place to walk away from as a winner and love can feel that same way way at times. This track brings that point to musical life very well. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Attire - Girls Like You

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Attire is comparable to Bruno MArrs and Maroon 5 and falls solidly in the Funk Pop sound. ‘Girls Like You’ is a soulful ode to affairs of the heart and the way our hearts get drug down some rocky roads but we keep taking that bumpy ride hoping for that magical ride we call love.

The beauty here is that it take a few rough rides to recognize that smooth trip when it arrives. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

Restless Modern - I Hate That I'm Addicted to the Internet [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Restless Modern is a 25-year-old producer, singer, and songwriter currently based in Wisconsin. Born in Denver, but raised as a Midwesterner outside of Chicago, he studied economics at Harvard before realizing that his internal calling to become an artist was perennial and impossible to tune out.

The intelligence of the writing shines here, but that is not to say that the production nd vocal talent isn’t as equally engaging. part of the genius here is talking a song about the modern algorithms and marketing and placing it over a old school 50’s sound and arrangement. The juxtaposition brings out the irony of the situation as well as the talent brings out the artistry. I did find myself wishing the song was longer and offered even more takes on this modern world we live in.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

MVLDER x MILOU - Without You [ Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“The world around us is so stressful. We tend to hold on to the memories despite of being tired of everything around us. This track stirs strong feels from its listen and releases the emotions musically. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [ LA On Lock Blogger]

Dezabel - Why I Really Need [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Emotions and feelings can take us away to a world we never thought of. Dezabel’s “Why I Really Need” is about that one person you find that you can completely be yourself with. They know you inside and out and both accept and heal your vulnerabilities. Love is captured visually in different images across time but the feeling still leaves the screen.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Matt McKnzi - Dying Breed [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some artists are able to distill events from their life into a track that spans but a handful of minutes and yet encapsulates something much bigger. This is what Matt McKnzi does on ‘Dying Breed,’ and here, the artist explains the intent behind the song far better than I could in a brief review.

So says McKnzi ... Before I got sober I was self-destructive. I hated me- whole-heartedly believing I didn’t deserve love. I carried a TON of shame. Dying Breed is centered around that shame, and around our inability to let people in. At its core, the track is about owning your truth—no matter what that looks like, no matter what the consequences are.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Anabl - Homecoming Queen [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The conflicting emotions of high school come in many forms and perhaps none stand out like the race for popularity. The struggle to stand out and conform at the same time is an odd dynamic and this track uses the race for ‘Homecoming Queen’ as the backdrop to express that. Anabl delivers an emotive set of lyrics and a contemporary Pop style to deliver the track and her spot on talent accentuate the strong writing and brings the song fully to life.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Peyton Shay - Aftertaste [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Peyton Shay is poised to be the next darling of the Pop Punk scene. With beautiful ones and an emotional edge, ‘Aftertaste’ is the break down of the mental mastication of a breakup. The seed things can go from great to irate is stunningly quick but sometimes it is is the devastation that we truly find out who we are and this song offers a glimpse of that ride. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jake Hays - Dumb Shit [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Inspired by the dearth of originality in a social media driven world, Jake Hays delivers a heartfelt ode to trying to find your own inner peace and creativity in a copycat world of the same old same old. The vocal groove is more tranquil than the lyrical intent and build and that makes the song feel ambiguously delightful. The ‘Dumb Shit’ grinds us all down and rarely are we able to distill those emotions with the clarity of this song. The lyrics video helps the truly get into the message and words of this track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

biz colletti x Hustle Standard - Only Way Out [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A hauntingly beautiful track about carving out your own wants and needs in a world that all too often demands you give in and sacrifice pieces of yourself to fit in. The build has a brooding vibe and also a fierce determination to stand up for yourself int he face of demands from others. A reminder we all need from time to time so add this one to your self motivational playlists and feel the power of the writing and delivery. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock

Caroline Romano - Panic Attack [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“At only 20 years of age, Caroline Romano delivers a strong sense of emotional wisdom that permeates from her every performance. ‘Panic Attack’ is a slow building emotionally charge track that comes with the strong personal sense of a Taylor Swift Song and the strong vulnerability of Pink all with a unique edge that makes Romano her own star.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Restless Modern - on and on [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An emotional ode that resonates thanks to a talented performance and clean production. Restless Modern creates a smooth sound and intriguing build to accompany the strong writing and heartfelt set of lyrics. A solid track that means more with every listen. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PENNY - Outside [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The silky rich vocal textures guide the way on this trek ‘Outside.’ PENNY offers a smooth performance that pulls the listener along as the lyrics take us for a trip. The beat and backing is lowkey but adds depth the emotional performance and writing of the track.

This is a quiet song in that there is no true rising crescendo and dramatic build but the emotions are true and genuine and the mood is well set. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Olivia Wik - Let's Dance [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sex and music fit together like ... Well, I better not run with that simile but let’s simply say that sometimes its fun to fall in on a song that celebrates our primal urges.

’Let’s Dance’ from Olivia Wik basks in the euphoria and glow of that charged sexual energy of lust and love, making this track the perfect addition to that playlist you have been curating for the occasion. Listen to the track, feel the infectious rhythm and spirit, then share it with your favorite dance partner.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Madisyn Gifford - Except For You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sometimes we love the idea of someone or something more than the actual person or thing. Madisyn Gifford drops this track about moving on from a relationship while missing not the person but all the external variables that made up their surrounding while together. The vocal delivery is honest and borders on vulnerability mixed with regret. Lyrically the track is almost a stream of conscious vibe that we all do when contemplating how things used to be. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Haiden - Can't Hurt Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A classic Pop sound and arrangement brings out this track about modern day cheating. Haiden is quick to say ‘Can’t Hurt Me,’ but that title is a bit of a misnomer as the lyrical build is all about being hurt and scared and feeling that relationship slipping away. With a side dish of sticking your hand in the sand, to avoid feeling the torture of emotional pain.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jack Kane - Come To Terms [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jack Kane expresses vulnerability in his slow and tender delivery of ‘Come to Terms.’ The emotion is tangible in every line and the build carries the listener forward as we feel every word. We’ve all had to come to terms with some bit of grief be it from a loss of life or loss of relationship. Emerging on the other side of dark times is a process, but this is the kind of song that can ease the pain and let us know we are not alone.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Marian Hill (featuring GASHI) - little bit [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Running into an ex is always a bit awkward, and this track from Marian Hill explores that set of emotions. The arrangement is intriguing and not at all predictable. I did crave more tempo a few times, but this was a track that kept me leaning in for the duration and I felt the emotion of the writing come through in the performances.

A unique build that somehow brings out the uncomfortable sensation of running into that person that once meant everything to you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger