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

Libby Whitehouse - OMG [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Libby Whitehouse unleashed this energetic Pop track and it is exactly the kind of song that catches fire and goes viral. ‘OMG’ has a catchy hook that we can all song along to and the infectious beat transports us to a different time and place as we lose the world around us for a few minutes.

A fun song to throw your head back and sing along as you move to the beat.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

John Conlin - Love Me Just a Little [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“You up?

This the cliche of middle of the nigh wantonness and the idea of John Conlin’s latest single, ‘Love Me Just A Little.’

The track avids the cliche and delves into the emotions of wanting a bit more than a middle of the night booty call. The single builds along the way and the chorus is one that you will be joining in to sing along with especially during the backhalf of the track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

LVRBOY - 16 [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“LVRBOY takes us on a nostalgic ride back in time with ‘16.’ All those first magical experiences are impossible to duplicate and the further we get from them the more we romanticize such memories. This track delivers that gut punch of remembrance and my only real critique is I wanted so much more as the track felt super short barely cracking the two minute mark. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Stela Cole - Die Hard [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Stela Cole has a smoky brand of vocals that are emotive and powerful yet still vulnerable and sultry at times. There is a hint of gravel that reminded me of Miley but the overall style felt unique enough for Cole to avoid any direct comparisons.

’Die Hard’ is about those bad or at least flawed relationships that are never quite destructive or absolute enough for a clean end and break so it begins to feel like a bad loop of break-ups and make-ups. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dayna Reid - This House [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This track from Canadian artist, Dyna Reid leans more into the Mainstream Country sound than I usually connect with, though her rich vocal tone and earnest lyrics kept me invested in the build. ‘This House’ doesn’t break a ton of new ground, though it is delivered with solid talent and rises above the fray by feeling genuine and honest which has long been the bastion of good Country music.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

TRiiiPSS - Space Baby [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a smooth groove and funky beat, TRiiiPSS launches their new single ‘Space Baby.’ Lyrically the track is about those out of the world feelings of love and admiration. New love is glorious and it is easy to view the person of your desire as being from another planet as they feel that rare and special. This track captures that in a delightful way with steady vocals and a musical groove that is easy to orbit around. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CRIS STREETZ- Switchin Sides (feat. Shi Goonie) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The talking in the beginning builds you up and gives you an idea of what to expect. Cris Streetz “Switchin Sides” is about people being down with you but then changing their ways. The Shi Goonie feature allows listeners to get a good perspective from both male and female. The beat is a vibe and the songwriting and hook is relatable. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Teigen Gayse -Sleeping With Her [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Teigen Gayse delivers a classic country track. She dives into the restlessness of heartache, in a beautifully shot, introspective video for her “Sleeping With Her”. This is a track where you are torn with sadness, disappointment, loneliness, and being angry all in one. As Teigen tosses and turns in her sleep she manages to stay consistent with her emotions in each verse.”

— 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

JP Saxe - Anywhere (with Carla Morrison) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is an interesting duet. With one set of vocals delivered in English, and the other in Spanish. I do not personally speak Spanish, so the lyrics on that side eluded me though I still felt the emotional power through that section.

A piano ballad of love and commitment, this track simply carried me along despite the language barrier.

Tender and emotional “Anywhere’ by JP Saxe and Carla Morrison hits right in the heart.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zachary Aldana - Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This Christmas track has a retro vibe arrangement wise, but is pure contemporary in the lyrical build.

A fun, easy to sing along track with a do-wap type vibe. There is a hint of humor in Zachary Aldana’s delivery, as well as the lyrical vibe.

’Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You)’ is a holiday breakup song of not letting the past wear your down. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Caroline Romano - girl in a china shop [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Caroline Romano is a force, an Alt-Pop star on the rise, and one hell of a songwriter. We have featured Romano on several occasion though ‘Girl in a China Shop’ might be her best work to date.

A track of self awareness and staring in the mirror o face the facts. THis is something we all need to do time to time and now we have a soundtrack when we want to cut the bullshit and be real to ourselves. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rachel Newnham - Jealous [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Comparing yourself to others, and even worse, the social media persona of people pretending their world is perfect is a dangerous thing. ‘Jealous’ is about those feelings of envy we’ve all had when looking at other peoples looks, relationships, and experiences. But we never know the full story or picture as outsiders, and chances are they are jealous of us in some way as well.

Rachel Newnham delivers the track is perfect Pop glory.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Paige Corwin -Unlearn How to Love You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“When you fall in love with someone its often times hard to let go. Paige Corwin’s “Unlearn How to Love You” is about finally letting your heart love someone and embracing every moment with them. Falling love is easily but when your heart is forced to shift and let go its hard. This commercial track isn’t depressing but an emotion pop ballad.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Bryn Christopher - High [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This is a song that reminds me of the New York dance parties you would see in the movies. It uplifts you and captivates you. Bryn Christopher is soul music meets dance music. The track elevates any listener and takes them high, high, higher on happiness.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Lockyer Boys - DRIVE! [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The Lockyer Boys have a feel-good, vibrant Pop track with ‘DRIVE!’ The vocals are tight and energetic and that carries the day. The track is glossy and probably skews to a younger audience given it feels a bit Disney-esque in its sound and writing. Clean cut and shiny. A track aimed at the masses. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Will Conn - Marathon [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Love is a marathon that often causes you to fall off track. Will Conn’s single “Marathon” builds up a storyline and guides you through relationship issues. The tempo stays consistent which allows us to follow his determination and emotion to mend his relationship. As a singer songwriter he truly knows how to express hisself through each verse. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

HAHA - No Promises [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 put of 5

“A true 80’s throwback, HAHA delivers despite making, ‘No Promises.’

The smooth vocal harmonies and lyrical wordplay is fun and evocative at the same time. The 80s might be gone but the music continues to inspire and live on and this danceable track is full of nostalgia for that era but still works as a contemporary track lyrically.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Makena - Rinse & Repeat [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Some live for the chase and nothing more. Serial daters who toss aside their quarry not long after getting that person to fall for them.

Rinse & Repeat’ is told from the pained view of a castaway that mistakenly thought they were more than a pawn in the game. Makena delivers the Alt Pop track with an energetic vulnerability and anger that is the perfect combination of emotions to bring out the lyrical build.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger