Estella Dawn - Just Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Regular readers of these reviews are no stranger to San Diego Pop star Estella Dawn, as we have featured a handful of tracks from this rising talent. ‘Just Me’ is but the latest in a strong repertoire of songs. Utilizing two different vocal flows that play off each other and help bring out the emotions this track showcases the versatility of Dawn’s talent.

The vibe is sultry defiance and the emotions range from anger to determined resolve and all of it is performed with a genuine honesty and openness that many artists struggle to find.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Francis On My Mind - I'm Alright [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Francis On My Mind comes with a Pop Funk brand of energy that is impossible to not fall in on. There is just a hint of rasp in the vocals at times, and that gave me Miley vibes though nothing about ‘I’m Alright’ feels derivative. The track has a fresh, original vibe and an soaring uplifting spirit that will keep listeners coming back for repeat listens.

This song fits with so many different mindsets, that you’ll want to add it to numerous playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jay Kayze - Over Love [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“People change and the best ones grow and learn from their past mistakes. This track is about being that new person and reflecting on a prior relationship. My only critique is that I wanted more and the song was over far too soon.

Blending a Hip-Hop vibe and a smooth R& B type groove the talent shines and pulls in the listener quickly and easily. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Grayson Foster - Like a Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A strong emotive track perfect for the Singer/Songwriter genre. Grayson Foster delivers this song with passioned, emotive strength and the end result is a timeless sound that will appeal to fans of artists ranging from the rock flavor of Springsteen to the Folk of John Craigie and the the Pop style of Harry Styles. That said Foster hasn’t created a derivative track, but rather one simply rooted in genuine artistry utilizing his own sound. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ryan Winston x Leslie Ann Miller - Wierd Love [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ryan Winston creates a track that certainly reminded me of Calvin Harris though ‘Wierd Love’ does not feel derivative and the vocal talent of Leslie Ann Miller sells the emotion in a way that the track hooks from the very first verse.

This is the kind of track that reveals new nuance and emotion with each listen. A track perfect for a number of playlists and moods. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

SASS - Summer Baby [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“SASS gives us an interesting, genre-bending track with ‘Summer Baby.’ The overall vibe leans tot he Pop side though the track certainly delivers elements of R&B and Folk. The vocal side of the track has an old school Fine Young Cannibals vibe and the blend of these elements creates a unique edge and I can see this track reaching a wide audience with its mix of the familiar into a uniquely new sound. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Three Second Chances - Let Me Down [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“When you really love or care about someone you tend to overlook their faults and even let them disappoint or hurt you over and over again. ‘Let Me Down’ by Three Second Chances is an Adult Contemporary track that dives into the emotions of being the one affected. The various sets of vocals play well off each other and the build is an easy one to fall in and stick with. The track feels like a bit of a throwback but is certainly contemporary enough to hold modern audiences. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

GAYLE - everybody hates me [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“GAYLE has established her talented presence with a string of hits and her latest release, ‘Everybody Hates Me,’ is the next offering from this rising star. The energy is a bit tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic, though the emotions and vulnerability are also lurking there in the mix.

GAYLE has the ability to create entertaining and fun vibes while still coming with a bit of hard-edged truth to the lyrical content as well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lisa Heller - Hollow [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I don’t always connect with the soft distant production values of Bedroom Pop, but some track simply fit well into such a structure and set of dynamics. Lisa Heller’s ‘Hollow’ is such a song as it dips and soars in the same manner our emotions do and the writing, in conjunction with Heller’s talented delivery, brings that all to life on this disarming single. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

DONNY D - Maria [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Donny D drops this ode to ‘Maria’ which is personified as a woman here but is a metaphor of course for marijuana. No matter the nature of the relationship we all need a bit of calm comfort now and again. The flow here popes and has a nice balance of energy and anguish to set it all off. The delivery is spot on for both timing and tone and this one that should be appeal to lots of people given the different ways the track can be taken.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Hayley Warner - Breakups Ain't Goodbye [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Can you end a relationship and still be friends? ‘Breakups Ain’t Goodbye’ addresses the emotions when the other person wants a clean break, but you hope to hold on for a while longer even if it is in a different capacity. The vocal delivery is emotive and heartfelt.

The track has a Bedroom singer/songwriter vibe and lands somewhere between Brandi Carlile and Harry Styles on the musical scope. ”

— Travis Erin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tara Hack - Bounce [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Tara Hack delivers plenty of ‘Bounce’ with her new single. A funky little throwback with roots in Disco, the track still manages to feel fresh and contemporary despite that old school sound and rhythm.

After honing her entertainment skills as a busker in New York City, this artist is primed to break out in a big way. I dare you not to move and groove to this beat and build.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alle The Dreamer - Magic [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If Miley Cyrus had been a member of Fleetwood Mac, the band would have created something that sounds a lot like this. Luckily, we don’t need that improbable paring to create Pop ‘Magic’ because Alle The Dreamer gives it to us all on her own.

This track is light and airy, but still delivers a strong dose of emotional substance to grip the listener start to finish.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

WOVA - Talk Sweet [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of of 5

“The way this song comes on with those crystal clear, wavy vocals catches your attention from the gate. The lyrics and the guitar gives you a 90s love type feel. I’d definitely add it to my beach playlist. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Eneli - Far From Anywhere [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A big, bold soaring number with an epic feel. Eneli delivers it in a vocal tone that reminded me of Miley Cyrus at times. This track is theatrical and hits like a romance taken a dark and emotional turn, but is deep and stubborn enough to survive even the rough times.

A sweeping track that delivers an emotional gut punch.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Only Bricks - Bang! Bang! [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Starting tranquil and almost serene, Only Bricks pulls the trigger about forty-five seconds in, and ‘Bang! Bang!’ the track explodes. The vibe goes back and forth keeping the listener on edge for what’s coming next, creating a danceable track with legs of its own.

The talent shines and fortunately the track delivers an arrangement that feels as unique as it does artful. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Steven Curtis - Makin' It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Haters come in many forms but perhaps the worst is the hater that once was your supporter and confidant and likes to say you can’t be successful or find your way without them by your side. Steven Curtis drops this energetic track as declaration of independence over such anchors that hold us back in life and art.

’Makin’ It’ is a salute to finding success your own way without that person you said you never could or would without them. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ceara Cavalieri - Bad Thing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Pop with attitude has dominated lately especially from the talented female artists dominating the charts. To that end, Ceara Cavalieri has joined the fray with ‘Bad Thing,’ a track that is easy to sing along with and chant like a mantra for anyone looking to draw lines in the sand.

Lyrically, I did want a bit more but I could not deny the infectious beat and chorus so being left wanting more here was far from a dealbreaker for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Scarlet Opera - Big City Thing [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“There is something about The Scarlett Opera that puts me in mind of Queen and while it is hard to pinpoint exactly, I think it is a bold uniqueness that simply feels like freedom. Freedom of convention, freedom rules, and freedom of spirit that can only come with you create art for yourself first and an audience second. ‘Big City Thing’ is a flamboyant celebration of artistic freedom that gets in your ears and then in your soul.

Rock and Roll with flair and verve and a total disregard for what anybody thinks about that.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

Charlotte Sands - Alright [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Charlotte Sands wants to be a voice and an inspiration to all the people who consider themselves to be outsiders, freaks, or imply different than the so-called normies of the world, and ‘Alright’ is an anthem of sorts created for that purpose.

The soaring vocal talent is accompanied by an emotive delivery and passion that is tangible throughout the track. I felt every word of this track and will be adding it to a number of playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger