The Bergamot - L.A. [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“In the spirit of a many other great storyteller songs, ‘L.A.’ makes us care about Elle as a character. Through great songwriting and an empathetic and stirring performance, we take a journey with Elle knowing full well there is no happy ending waiting. But we do it because life doesn’t always come with the fairy-tale ending and this single feels like life.

The melody matches the emotions perfectly throughout, and this is one of those sad songs that somehow leaves us feeling hopeful because of its ability to tap into a part of ourselves. Such music and writing helps us realize we are not alone in our thoughts, fears, and emotions. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Conan Gray - Checkmate [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Don’t be fooled by the catchy pop melody and sugar sweet vocals ... this is a dark twisted tale of revenge motivated by a broken heart.

AND I LIKE IT!”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

HAYL - Feel Again [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“‘Feel Again’ balances a beautifully emotional performance with a heart rending piano melody to instill the emotion of a heart ache in the listener.

Songwriting done right for those who want to feel genuine sensations we have all experienced out of life. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

DAVIS - Alright [Review]

“This is a single with chill summer vibes.

I have no idea the chemical state of DAVIS while writing this one, but if you’ve ever had a poolside conversation with someone amid a huge cloud of green smoke, then listening to this song will feel a whole lot like that conversation.

Enjoy and remember ... everything will be ‘Alright.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lucy & La Mer - Blue Dress [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“This is a fun song long before you figure in the touches of irony.

Billed as “Indie Pop” it carries a decidedly folk sound, but genre really is bend and manipulated throughout this single.

The choice to utilize chords and a melody far more prevalent in country music to make a statement about Bisexuality feels like a subtle social statement. People are people. Love is love and lust is lust. Dividing and lumping various elements of humanity into genres is wrong and so too is it a shame to limit the scope of well-written music.

The fact that this story, detailing our heroines infatuation with the “Blue Dress” clad women of her desire, is musically a country song ... makes me smile and appreciate the emotion and vocals all the more.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Northern National - Half-Hearted Love [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is nothing halfway about ‘Half-Hearted Love.’ In giving us a song that speaks to going through the emotions and searching for meaning in on okay, but unfulfilling relationship.

Northern National imparts emotion into a catchy performance that only gets better with each listen.

This is a song with the legs to carry us through when we find ourselves stuck in just such a relationship.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Stolen Gin - Analie [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The driving force here is funky groove that gets you moving.

But don’t sleep on the songwriting, because there is genuine emotion lurking underneath that infectious groove.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sea Girls - Damage Done [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“If I am honest, the first couple of measures had me eager to dismiss this single, but then that line about freshman year hit my ears and I was hooked emotionally. The vocal performance held me tight from that moment on, and both the video and the melody tied it all together.

’Damage Done’ is songwriting done right, and this is a song that showcases the power music has us to pull us in and turn our hopes, fears, and memories a direction we were not expecting. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Philippa - before goodbye [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Honest and raw. Philippa gives us not an anti love song, but rather a song about the yearning sadness that seeing and hearing others in love can bring on after a heartbreak.

’Before Goodbye’ is a beautifully performed testament to the lasting power love gone bad has over us all at times.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Influencers - Fallin' [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The melody did the heavy lifting here by connecting me to the single emotionally before the lyrics fully soaked in.

A well-crafted song that gets better and deeper ingrained in my psyche with each listen.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

GRAACE - Go Have Fun At Your Party [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Love is a complicated game, and ‘Go Have Fun At Your Party’ nails the emotion of a relationship that isn’t quite right, but is close enough that it is hard to let go.

It is the kind of song that brings out that old heartache, misguided hope, and tarnished love that we’ve all been part of.

It is the kind of song that is real, and raw, and allows us all to understand we are not alone in these experiences.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elliot Lee - Upside Down [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Elliot Lee hooks you with her haunting voice and holds you with lyrics that twist and turn ‘Upside Down’ a coupe of times.

The drum roll, and fluid, yet ever-changing melody speak of a meticulous attention to perfection on the production side.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

mxmtoon - Prom Dress [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“In a testament to both great songwriting and a genuine emotional delivery, I was able to put myself in the shoes ... errr, make that prom dress, of our would-be party girl and feel every last emotion of this experience.

This is the power of good music ... which transports us back in time, beyond our own experiences, and to emotional places of empathy and understanding. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Teddi Gold - Video Games [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Pure Pop fun!

Lyrically this one leaves you singing along and grooving to the melody. Doesn’t hurt that the musical romp also carries a truth that will have the girls playing this one for their guys hoping the message sinks in.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Giungla - Better Than Ever [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Love the way this single builds and builds to the chorus.

Bridging that pop and punk gap, ‘Better Than Ever’ is dark and alluring all at the same time while expressing a defiance that will leave you pumped after listening.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Wish I Was - Ready To Start (feat. Kara Kuper) [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“This smooth, commercial tune could stand on its own merit, but beyond it so-called ‘entertainment legs,’ this track comes with a story of hope and dreams.

All proceeds from ‘Ready To Start’ will go toward assisting the Make-A-Wish foundation fulfill dreams of kids all over the world. Knowing this adds poignancy to the lyrics and takes a nice pop tune and turns it into an emotionally charged ode to the innocent fighters battling their way back. But not even that fact is the best part of this story.

In celebration of World Wish Day, April 29, Los Angeles-via-Australia electronic music producer Wish I Was (aka tyDi) has teamed up with 18-year-old wish kid Kara Kuper on the beautiful and inspiring “Ready To Start.” It was Kara’s wish to record a song. Being a big fan of Make-A-Wish, Wish I Was was happy to make Kara’s wish come true. Wish I Was secured time at Universal Music’s recording studio and enlisted the help of professional songwriters. In February 2019, Kara flew in from Chagrin Falls, Ohio to start work on the song. The completed song was chosen as the soundtrack for the new Make-A-Wish PSA as part of the 2019 World Wish Day campaign. World Wish Day will be celebrated throughout the month of April, kicking off with the launch of the PSA featuring “Ready To Start” on April 3.

World Wish Day helps bring attention to the significant role a wish plays in a child’s medical treatment. Research shows that a wish can help kids build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness– an eye-opening finding in light of the fact that Make-A-Wish is currently only able to reach one out of every two potentially eligible children in the U.S.

The PSA, created by TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles, stars Make-A-Wish kids and alumni whose wishes to be an astronaut, dinosaur, mermaid, football player, cowgirl and firefighter served as a catalyst for hope and healing. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/D3gkXY1dhCo

Wishes are an important part of a child’s medical treatment. They can give kids the strength to fight, to get better. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Marcus James - Over U ft. RYYZN [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This genre bending single carries a universal message without resorting to petty commentary making it stand out in the crowded field of break up songs.

Nice simple emotion carries this track, and a melody that offers several surprises along the way fuels this winning release from Marcus James.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Eiffels - "Spin Around" [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“I dig the retro 80’s vibe to this one. An instant toe-tapper, Spin Around will get you moving and when this one comes on the radio, you will have no choice but to turn up the dial and groove along! ”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

Johnny Rain - "I Do" [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Very well put together! Soft with a drop that actually transferred good energy my way. Beautiful arrangement. 4.5/5”

— Yung Miss (LA On Lock Radio Blogger)

YVR - "Always You" [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Love the energy of the production along with the vocals! Great combination!”

— N3 On The Track (LA On Lock Blogger)