Karen Lee Batten - Somewhere in Between [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a tricky review for me. I do hear and appreciate the talent, though my personal Country tastes lean more toward the Outlaw and Americana sound, rather than the more Commercial Mainstream cranked out by Nashville. This track however falls in between with a sound that harkens to the 90’s brand of Country Music rarely heard among the Pop heavy and bro-country stars of today.

All that said, Karen Lee Batten clearly has the talent to deliver an emotionally laden song and this single, ‘Somewhere In Between’ does the job she intends.

Fans of of the retro 90s sound will appreciate this track, and who knows maybe Batten can help lead Country music back to a better place.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

maryjo - Should Be Us [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The emotions runs strong and clear in ‘Should Be Us,’ from maryjo.

A track about watching your ex move on faster than you are, this song captures that stunned bewilderment and the questions such a spark can conjure. Especially if the prior relationship went on for a long time and you are left wondering how much this new person truly knows about your ex.

This feels like Commercial gold, and I expect to hear this one a lot this summer and beyond. Get in early and ride the wave.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Parker Lane - MAGIC [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written for his children, because he doesn’t get to see and spend as much time with them as he would like, ‘MAGIC’ is a track of love and hope that will ring true for anyone missing someone and longing for a reunion.

Parker Lane shows off his vocal chops with this emotive and uplifting track that soars on the currents of the human condition.

A true feel good song!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

June - Not The Guy Of My Dreams [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“June unleashes this angsty Pop track. The Houston native offers emptive vocals that reveal both subtle anger and vulnerably. ‘Not The Guy Of My Dreams’ feels very human and genuine in emotion and energy and it is the kind of track that will wrap around and be a warm hug to those going thorough similar emotions. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Johnny Orlando - Vegas [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Johnny Orlando is poised to take the reins from Beiber as Canada’s reining Pop king. His latest single, ‘Vegas’ shows his vocal range and depth of emotion. The track is an affirmation of love and will no doubt find its way into many a playlist dedicated to love and infatuation. The song has a self-aware, sensual feel as well as a vulnerability that comes though in Orlando’s talented performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alexander Stewart - broken by you [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Alexander Stewart delivers this passionate Pop track about heartbreak and how we handle it.

’Broken By You’ is a wonderfully rendered track detailing a relationship when one side doesn’t want to let go, but understands the other person cannot stay. A song of taking the higher road despite having your heart shattered and delivered with emotion and talented precision.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BOY LOCO - Slow Dancing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“BOY LOCO delivers a nice, smooth track that emotes a nostalgic brand of reminiscences and motivates your heart to open up and feel. For me the track has a hint of regret, stemming from doubt that maybe the narrator did not hold onto the relationship the way they should have. Or perhaps there was a loss that ended things. Of course others may take this track as more of a post date type euphoria in that the singer simply cannot wait to get back together with their person for some slow dancing.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Deegie- Third Time's a Charm (Tom) [Review]

Review: 3 out of 5

“Third Time’s a Charm (Tom) reminds me of retro 80s and 90s love. Deegie sings about college love which most people usually only focus on high school romance. The song is Pop with a guitar sounds that gives it the Rock feel. I would compare this to the old Taylor Swift but aggressive. Its about taking charge of your heart and never looking back.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Jade LeMac - Pick A Fight [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jade LeMac toes the line between love and hate in her latest single, ‘Pick A Fight.’ The track has a decided Pop edge, but definitely comes with a lyrical sharpness as well that will make you think long after that infectious beat and chorus have subsided.

The simply, yet effective video works perfectly to deliver the punch of the songwriting.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

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