Joshua Radin - Better Life [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Joshua Radin has given the world a lot of music, and a lot to think about over 16 albums and hundreds of live shows, so it comes as no surprise that his latest single, ‘Better Life’ brings a powerful message as well. The plight of those seeking refuge, hope, and yes a better life here in the United States has been exploited by both sides of the political spectrum, and frankly it is sad given that this country was founded on the ideals of give us your tired, your poor. This is Indie Folk with a heart and I dig it. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Henry Conlon - I'm Coming Home [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Henry Conlon has captured a dark gritty sound with the acoustic version of his signature track, ‘I’m Coming Home.’ Whilelt he single lives in the Americana,/Folk world of sounds it also brings an old school Blues refrain to the mix and all of it combines to create a heavy undertone to the emotional edge of both the songwriting and the vocal performance. This is a song that sits with you long after the last note has faded. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Daniel Trakell - So Long [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Daniel Trakell’s emotive vocals highlight this track, though the production and melody add another emotional layer to the track giving the single a nice rich texture to the layered sound.

’So Long’ hot like a track you already know giving it that instant kind of connection that the best songs tend to leave you with. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Carly King - Mountains, Alone. [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Carly King has that vocal tone that works for whatever style she wishes to sing, and that does make it tough to categorize her sound. There is a hint of Macy Gray, a splash of Dylan, a whiff of Rondsant and Emmylou all in that timbre, but most important is the emotion and feeling that emits from her delivery. This track couples that with strong songwriting, and in the end, the emotions wrap around you like a soft warm blanket on a chilly day.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Wallace Tallman - The Madness [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This administration, and all the conflict and turmoil that has come with it, has led to a proliferation of political songs. These tracks run the gamut of styles and emotions and Wallace Tallman’s single, ‘The Madness,’ makes its statement in clear precise terms that come in a soft singer/songwriter fashion. That is not to say the track lacks an edge or punch, because it brings both with the emotionally laden vocals and stellar songwriting.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Quinn DeVeaux - All I Need [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rock and Roll Soul Funk. That’s the vibe Quinn DeVeaux brings in this track, which fans of Nathanial Rateliff and Leon Bridges are certain to enjoy.

’All I Need’ captures that all-encompassing euphoria of finding that person that makes the entire world feel world. Simply put, with them at your side you don’t need anything else to feel joyous and right.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Abigail Fierce - Some Sorta Goodbye [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Abigail Fierce has that same sort of sultry vocal tone that catapulted Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac into stardom though Fierce delivers more of a Folksy singer/songwriter vibe here on this track. ‘Some Sorta Goodbye’ is about looking for the end of a relationship straight from the very beginning. The expectation things will end badly, so the act of self-sabotage keeps the loss from being on someone else’s terms. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sweetlove - "The House" [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A beautifully written and performed song about grief, and the realization that while love is the very thing that makes such loss hard to bear, it is also the thing that makes our lives worth living. So in the end we can’t have one without the other, and that realizing this can make our grief easier to comprehend and bounce back from. The concept is intricate and emotionally charged and still Sweetlove handles those intricacies with grace on this mellow track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lucy Eaton - Rotten Love [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I will confess that very early on, the ukulele left me dubious about this track, but then Lucy Eaton’s stellar songwriting took over and I was pulled in and emotionally invested by both the writing and the performance.

This track is very Folksy in sound, but even if that is not your jam, the power of the lyrics cannot and will not be denied. Exploring the generosity of love, ‘Rotten Love’ is a fresh take on the emotion of love and that is of course no easy feat given the plethora of songs dealing with affairs of the heart. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Folkus - Blue [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a threadbare and almost pained, brand of vocal delivery, Folkus unleashes the emotion behind ‘Blue’ with an intensity that is captivating. The melody and lyrics play perfect roles in the progression and build, but it is the vocal performance here that hooks you and refuses to let go.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Grayson Ty - Tongue Tied [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A smooth and sensual track about the power of love and lust. For me, the cadence and groove really set the mood for the lyrics and emotive vocal delivery. Grayson Ty has the talent to make the simple arrangement work on this single, because he makes you feel every last word.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Swan Levitt - Someday Soon [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Swan Levitt delivers a soft emotional track about finding peace and a way forward after a hard time. Written specifically about recovery, ‘Someday Soon’ has even a broader relevance in the word as we all try to find a new path after a tough traumatic year.

In the words of Levitt ... ‘This is about getting back to where you were before it went so wrong...perhaps lying to yourself a little in the mean time. But things will get better, eventually.’ In the meanwhile, a touching song like this can help us feel like we are not alone.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rett Madison - Kerosene [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rett Madison. Remember that name. Her latest single ‘Kerosene’ is a true burner in every sense. The lyrical power is undeniable, but it is the emotive vocal style that truly makes Madison feel special in that Jason Isbell kind of way.

There is a country twang to her voice at times, but this is no commercial Nashville pablum. This is heartfelt Folk or more aptly Americana that demands you sit and listen and feel the emotion of the words and performance. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Wax Owls - Set it Free [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“In what is the debut single for Wax Owls, ‘Set It Free’ is a big soaring brand of Commercial Folk. Falling into a stratosphere somewhere between Mumford & Sons and Tom Petty the band’s sound feels lively and emotional on this track. Lyrically, the song is about moving back and sort of facing your past while acknowledging the roads you’ve traveled. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Fiona Harte - What Is Loving Anymore [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Fiona Harte mesmerizes with her emotive vocals on this dazzling emotional track. The Northern Irish singer songwriter has a hint of Dolly to her tone, and a whisper of Joni Mitchel in her soul, but here on this track, Harte’s talent stands alone in the spotlight with both an outstanding vocal performance and a stellar bit of songwriting which combine to captivate the way few artists are capable.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hugo Valentine - Rule The World [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hugo Valentine gives us a bit of a throwback. With a track that builds in the arrangement in such a way that conjures vibes of classic hits of the 70’s and 80’s, while also having that big musical sound of a contemporary single, ‘Rule The World’ ends up sounding very much like a collaboration between Elton John and Coldplay.

The energy here sweeps the listener up after a calm opening.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Xanthe Alexis - The Offering [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Reminding me a bit of the Canadian band ,The Cowboy Junkies, Xanthe Alexis delivers a nurturing brand of tenderness in her single ‘The Offering.’

Hailing from Colorado, Alexis brings a hint of that soft mountain spirit to both her songwriting and the vocals in this track. Decidedly Americana in sound, the emotion of this track wraps around the listener and never lets go.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Holly Ouellette - One Time, Pt. IV [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Holly Oullette fully embraced songwriting after a Hockey injury curtailed her athletic pursuits, and what the ice loses, the music world gains in a talented writer and emotive vocalist.

Part of a larger project, ‘One Time’ is about trying to rekindle the spark and hope from a damaged relationship that once held great promise. The emotions shine through in both the writing and the delivery, making this an engaging track that simple refuses to let you go. Look for the complete project titles What I Can’t Take Back to hear more of Oullette’s talent.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gabrielle Marlena - Lady Comforts [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The honesty of the songwriting pulled me in. Meeting a person that has a lot of good qualities, but just doesn’t have that certain spark creates a mental dilemma. In dating world where you come across so many flawed, wacky, and weird people it is hard to walk away from a seemingly normal person simply because the chemistry isn’t there, and this track unravels this thought process with intriguing raw emotion, and an engaging sound. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mamie Minch - Fortified Wine [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a classic Folk sound, both vocally and in the melody, Mamie Minch gives us a ‘Fortified Wine.’ There is a bit of Woody Guthrie woven through this track and because there is a bit of Woody in so many artists from the genre you can trace this sound to many other contemporary Folk artists. That said, Minch’s husky vocals and emotive style rises above the fray to deliver a truly engaging single.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)