Freedom Fry - Strange For Love [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I have been a fan of Freedom Fry for a while now, and ‘Strange For Love’ is one of those tracks that instantly feels like you’ve heard before, not because it is redundant or cliché, but because it feels timeless and genuine in its emotion. The melody has a Funky Folk vibe with a hint of the Blues, and the vocal arrangement brings in so many influences. From a chain gang work song feel, to more of a Pop vibe deeper in.

The varying sounds mesh and transition so well that you don’t quite realize how different the song feels start to finish upon the first listen. Definitely a track going on several of my saved playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Paolo Nutini - Through The Echoes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Few artists can convey emotion and passion the way Paolo Nutini can. There is a timeless Rock sound, like you’d find from the Eagles or Tom Waits with a strong songwriters sensibilities driving and pushing the lyrical build.

Artistry is the word of the day as you can feel the emotion and talent combine to create a vibe that transcends time and genre. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jessamyn Day - Highways [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Hip Hop and Folk are not easily combined, but ‘Highways’ from Jessamyn Day certainly delivers elements of both genres. Leaning closer to Folk early on, the track settles into more of a Rock style reminiscent of Red Hot Chili Peppers deeper in. I was impressed by the ability of the arrangement to take subtle, yet varying turns and never feel like it was trying to do too much. A track that is finely crafted, and delivered with passionate talent.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock

Wake The Sun - King of the Road [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is nothing like a good it of time on the road to reflect and ponder on both how you got to where you are ,and where you are going. This track takes a look at how our paths shape who we are and where we are going. With a classic and timeless sound this track straddles a Folk/Americana and Indie Rock vibe while giving off strong vibes of what it is to be a free thinking, free travelling human in this place and time.

Simply put, ‘King of the Road,’ is a good song most if not al of us can relate strongly with. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zoe Zobrist - Better [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Zoe Zobrist has the perfect voice for a track like this. Soft and slow in the build and tone, ‘Better’ is a song of regret and heartache. A song of what should have been amid self reflection and a simmering anger that threatens below the surface. The writing is strong, though it is the performance that truly hits the emotional aspects, and makes you feel every word.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Southbank - Best Mistake [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a decided Americana tone. Mainstream Country has left a lot of people high and dry and seeking real emotion with easy to sing with lyrics and vibes. This is the sound picking up that slack and Southbank is poised to be a real force. True genuine music and you can’t ask for anything more. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Morgan Myles - Woman Of My Word [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The slow build of this track is well worth the time it takes to unfold. Morgan Myles has a Country feel to her tone, but the deep range and broad emotional impact is far more impactful than most Mainstream Country offers these days. Think of Brandi Carlisle or old school Ronstadt more than the cheesy bedazzled brand of Country Nashville pumps out these days. This track heartfelt and real, and a journey far too many women face at least once in their lives.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sarah Gross - Amy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sarah Gross joins a growing movement of talented women pouring their heart and soul out with Folk driven Americana. Currently, Brandi Carlilse is the name many associate with this sound, but Gross offers a softer vocal style that stands on its own. This track, like the rest of the EP is written about the New York town she grew up in and the rich slate of characters that Gross walked beside over the years.”

— Travis Erwin

Suitcase Souls - Nashville October [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Fans of Jason Isbell and Phoebe Bridgers, will find it easy to connect to Suitcase Souls and their new single, ‘Nashville October.’

Deferring to the band here is what they say of the track ... “‘Nashville October’ is the smoke smell in your jacket from last night’s backyard hang, the photos in your camera roll of a selfie that *barely* fit everyone, the feeling of letting go of a past season to grab hold of right now and living in the moment.”

The track does have that worn nostalgic feel that makes our memories both fuzzy and acute and in that the emotions is easy to find and feel. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

Annie of the Canyon - Heart of Stone [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Annie of the Canyon is not a stranger to LA on Lock readers, but if you have missed her previous features here on the blog it is never to discover her emotive and tender vocals. There is a mysterious allure to her tone and the emotion of her writing and delivery never fails to engage the deeper senses of my psyche. Like a modern Stevie Nicks, Annie of the Canyon has that odd combination of fierce determination and soft vulnerability that is both alluring and inviting. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Gregory Ackerman - All This Thinking [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Born and raised in LA, Gregory Ackerman delivers a timeless Indie Folk sound. “All This Thinking’ is rich in emotion and it wraps around you warming the soul like a nice heavy blanket. The groove and melody are easy to fall in on and the performance makes the song feel as if you are listening to an old friend’s advice. The guitar captured my and held me as tightly as the vocals.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lazer Lloyd - Real [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“When art is genuine and heartfelt it rarely disappoints and Lazer Lloyd delivers both with his single, ‘Real.’

Lazer’s comment on what is behind the song, ‘What do you think it means to be real? What’s your version of reality? Are you controlling your mind or is your mind controlling you? Keep it real to feel the pure manifestation living through you without adding the past, future, like or dislike. I’m a this or a that. Just be truly real beyond description and concepts, completely awake in this very moment which is the only real thing that ever exists...’

This is the kind of track that sticks with you and makes you think long after after the last note. Classic, timeless, and heartfelt! ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nadia Kamrath - Confessions [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nadia Kamrath possesses the uncanny talent to perfectly convey emotion with only a few words. ‘Confessions’ is an emotive singer/songwriter vibe reminiscent to Phoebe Bridgers in style, but Kamrath certainly has her own tonal quality and style that stands out.

The track is about one friend catching deeper feelings and offering up the emotions behind such a realization. The sentiments ring true and genuine and it is an easy track to fall in on.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Will Kline - Anywhere [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Electro Folk? That might not be an established genre, but this track certainly delivers both elements. On this track, Will Kline sounds like an Avicii/Mumford collaboration.

Lyrically, the track is hopeful and earnest in its wanderlust, and musically it is right at home as a low-key dance number. The end result is a light airy track with a solid beat and a progression that keeps you leaning in for more.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Chris Robley - There's a Bird [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is songwriting at its best. Chris Robley has that extra bit of intuitiveness to his writing that you normally find in such artists as Jason Isbell, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits. That line between heartbreak and hope is always at the center of the work and gives the listener a myriad of emotion to work from. This is a track that grows on you with each and every listen, but is mesmerizing from the very first listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

All The Queen's Horses - Jocelyn [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track took top honors in what the New York Times describes as the Olympics of songwriting, and one listen is enough to see why.

’Jocelyn’ is the tale of an Irish immigrant living in New York and brings to light both the triumphs and struggles of a different time and generation. A timeless, storytelling set of lyrics that offers both hope and heartbreak and a wealth of emotion are delivered in an emotive rasp reminiscent of Tom Waits.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Satellite Station - For The Coast [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Satellite Station offers up a haunting distant sound that perfectly convey the emotions of this track. ‘For The Coast’ is a melancholic ode reflection about starting over and finding the courage to venture out an reinvent yourself in some new and unexpected way. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alex Beraldo - Southern Heat [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track definitely spoke to my Texas roots. Folk, reminiscent to a blend of the late great John Prine and Todd Snider, the soft tone comes with lyrical punch and a wry bit of emotional twist. This track is not as Commercial in its sound as most of the music we share on LA on Lock, but don’t let that deter you from taking a dive in on this well-written ode to the selfish people we all know.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gabriel Black - King of the Nosebleeds [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Gabriel Black might be the ‘King of Nosebleeds,’ or he might be king of the Alt Pop Folk sound. Or the case can be made after this track that he is both at the same time.

This well-written track couples great writing with an emotive vocal performance that captures the sentiments to a tee. This song simply speaks to the soul.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jesse Roper - Horizons [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“f you dig a bit of Bluesy weirdness, then Jesse Roper has the track for you. ‘Horizons’ offers a soulful twist on the world of extraterrestrials, but the track really has a vague take on the otherworldliness aspect and relies on the bold vocal performance that just lodges in your bones.

Nathaniel Rateliff comes to mind when you try to draw a comparison, but the track has a unique edge that simply is hard to deny. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)