penelope - slippin' to you [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The overwhelming sense of loss is a tricky little thing that can hit you long after the fact, and from the most innocuous angles. This track is about a lost love, and the emotions that hit you out of the blue as a result. The writing here make your realize how close the grief over a relationship’s end, is very similar to the grieving loss of a departed love one. Expect, there is an added bit of awkward hurt when you are left to wonder what that person is doing at any given moment. Re they thinking of you? Do they ever think of you? And they are right there at hand, often only blocks away, or perhaps on the other side of town.

This track delivers such complexities of the mind in soft Pop glory that at times reminded me of vintage Joni Mitchel, with a modern vibe to make it feel all the more relevant.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Flo Chase - Spinning Wheel [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Flo Chase gives us a hopeful and energetic vocal performance on ‘Spinning Wheel,’ a track that feels at times like a cross between Coldplay and Mumford & Sons.

The lyrics plays off of the fact our world, and thereby our lives, are taking a turn on this planet this making it all one big spinning wheel of chance and hope. Sometimes the wheel lands on a happy place that we world like hell to land on again. This song does a great job of capturing those magic feelings.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Matt Carstens - Why Him [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The guitar intro catches attention from the start and then Matt Carsten’s talented vocals take over the show.

’Why Him’ is a track for anyone a bit jaded about that ex that wants to come back and lean on you after their next doomed relationship. Being a crutch for another’s ego or insecurity is a tough position to be in especially if you still harbor feelings yourself. This energetic Pop track is one that many of us can relate to.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hotel Mira - Speaking Off The Record [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Honest and vulnerable, Hotel Mira drops ‘Speaking Off The Record,” a track that feels as much like a diary submission as it does an intimately written song. Call it a confession if you will, but we are talking about the feelings, thoughts, and actions everyone of us feels, so this track is more about being bold and saying out loud what few have to courage to express. This is not the same as admitting a wrong, which is truly what a confession is. This is an expression of humanity and a damn entertaining one at that.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

ARSADI - If You Were Mine [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“ARSADI unleashes a musical daydream with, ‘If You Were Mine,’ a track detailing the vivid imagination of a future based upon nothing more than the sight of a complete stranger.

Sometimes the sight of a person speaks to us and we play such a movie in our minds. The vocal style fits that dreamy vibe and the melody is soft and engaging. There is a definite Coldplay aura to this single, and the energy builds as the track progresses to keep you immersed in the lyrics and performance ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

golda - Dear Los Angeles [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is not the first single from golda that I have shared here in LA on Lock, so the name should not be a stranger to our followers, but ‘Dear Los Angeles’ is her best yet. And that is saying something, given the powerful tracks we’ve already shared.

This single is a slow ballad of raw emotion. There is a retro quality in the simplicity of the melody and the vocal style, but the single is also very much a modern tale of not dashed dreams, but rather delayed dreams. And of the vulnerability it takes to admit it is time to reassess and gear up for another try.

We have all been there and the emotions are tangible, though the talent behind the track singles out golda as a one of a kind artist headed to a plane most of us will never get to. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Le Boeuf x Tema Siegel - Last Night [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This high energy track delivers the same euphoria as that perfect one night stand. And given that is exactly the subject matter of this Electro Pop tune, I’d say that Le Boeuf was spot in in the production of this track.

Tema Siegal delivers the vocals here with a bouncy energy that sells the lyrics perfectly. This is a track you can dance to but be careful you just might catch the feels with this one and we all know what happens then. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Andrew Cushin - It's Gonna Get Better [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The guitar melody captured my intrigue from the very first note, and Andrew Cushin has one of those unique vocal tones that hooks the listener just as fast.

The emotion behind the track shines, and despite the title, ‘It’s Gonna Get Better,’ you will be hard pressed to find a sound any better or richer than this. The imagery of the video fits quite well with the words and emotions.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jet Black Alley Cat - Rewind [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jet Black Alley Cat brings a decidedly Indie Pop Retro sound with ‘Rewind.’ The thing is does it harklen back to the 80’s ... yes at times. The 90’s ... absolutely the vocal brings that flavor. The early 2000’s ... yes absolutely. So how the hell does the track still feel fresh and contemporary? The answer to that is true talent is often timeless and far reaching and this is the kind of track that is right at home in any decade.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

JP Saxe - Sad Corny Fuck [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track puts into words the vibe many a dude has been faced with after falling in love. None of us set out to become a ‘Sad Corny Fuck,’ but when those emotions stat to boil up and out of us, that is what happens.

This tracks was produced by recent GRAMMY darling FINNEAS, and it does carry the same emotional impact that his work with Billie Eilish, but JP SAXE’s masterful vocals carry the day here and I can’t wait to hear more music from SAXE.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gina Livia - in my head [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The musical vibe of this single is light and airy, but lyrically the song delivers a mood much darker. Over a nice Pop groove, Gina Livia lays down her lyrics of feeling isolated and alone. Being stuck ‘in her head’ and not willing to put herself out there. The track feels real and her vulnerability comes across in the performance as she longs to overcome these feelings in order to live life to its fullest. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mothica - oh god [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The morning after regret.

We’ve all been there in one form or another. The cadence and arrangement of this track adds to powerful lyrics to truly deliver that mix of panic and shame as you try to unravel exactly what you did the previous night. Not knowing can be almost as bad as knowing full well you crossed several lines you should not have.

The vocal performance here is spot on and mysterious, though in the track I heard it cuts offs very abruptly and I can only assume that was a glitch in my advanced copy. Nevertheless, this is a track that hits home. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Buy/Stream oh god: mothica.ffm.to/ohgod
Facebook: facebook.com/mothicamusic
Twitter: twitter.com/dearmothica
Instagram: instagram.com/mothica

Brandon Colbein - Mess [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“With a bit of gravel to his voice, Brandon Colbein drops the emotional verses of ‘Mess’ on us and we can feel the disoriented pain of a bad a breakup. Then the chorus hits and Colbein’s voice smooths out into a higher pitched tone of emotional disbelief. The melody and the beat here deliver that same juxtaposition giving the song a back and forth feel that is exactly how most of us a feel when we are an emotional mess. The arrangement of the track shows as much talent as the vocals and songwriting making this a track with legs enough to become a lasting standard. Can’t wait to hear more from this talented artist. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Half Waif - Ordinary Talk [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“From the outset here, the hauntingly beautiful vocals are captivating and left me almost trance like. The track has a definite avant-garde vibe, and the imagery of the video hits in much the same way.

The lyrics are alluring, in a voyeuristic kind of way that allows you deep into the conscious of another. Placing this track in a category is tough as there are POP influences, and songwriter vibes along with a bit of electronic beats and melody. The song is a ride through the subconscious and maybe because no one human can truly be put in a box, neither can a song such as this that feels so human. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Josh Stevens - Home [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you are a sucker for a nice piano ballad, with emotional lyrics, then Josh Stevens latest single, ‘Home’ is perfect for you.

The track highlights the fact that home isn’t really so much a place so much, as it is the people that you find there. Going back to such a place, and finding that everyone you loved and cared for is now gone,is a sobering and difficult thing to deal with, and this song brings those feelings home. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jordana - Signs [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track brings an oddly mesmerizing mix of sounds and emotions. There is an almost, Napoleon Dynamite quality in the synthesized do-it-yourself vibe to the initial melody and beat. And yet, the whole thing also delivers a sophisticated set of vocals and complexity that comes out in layers. The lyrics are well-written and the production decisions are both compelling and befuddlingly perfect.

This single is hard to categorize, but perhaps Bedroom Pop is the best choice.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

American Authors - Microphone [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A high energy track with a hint of Latin influence in the beat and melody, and a big bold Pop sound vocally. This track will get you moving and comes with lyrics that encourage you to join in and sing along. The easy groove to find and settle in on this track just feels like fun.

A party anthem that is no doubt a big hit when played live. Check out the band’s coming tour dates to have that experience for yourself.”

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Jan 21- Atlanta Terminal West At King Plow Arts Center, Atlanta, GA
Jan 27-Houston Warehouse Live, Houston, TX
Feb 4- Anaheim House Of Blues, Anaheim, CA
Feb 8 - Seattle Showbox Theatre, Seattle, WA
Feb 9 - Boise Knitting Factory, Boise, ID
Feb 18 - Chicago Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL
Feb 19- Nashville Basement East, Nashville, TN
Feb 21 - Columbus Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH
Feb 22- Akron Goodyear Theater, Akron, OH
Feb 23- Pontiac Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI
”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Chloe Lilac - Here's Your Song [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Being a songwriter is a tough endeavor anytime, and the better you are the harder it is, because to do it right, you must share far more of yourself than most people are ever willing to do. That said one of the greatest perks to being a writer of any type, is getting to say exactly what is on your mind. Being free to express yourself is both liberating cathartic.

Chloe Lilac is a great songwriter and this track about being used by a friend is so well done that I hope it brings her some peace and closure to the disappointment of her experience.

The track is also performed with a perfect bit of emotional release and although it is obviously deeply personal, the feelings behind it are ones we can all relate to. All of which makes this single — Indie Pop gold! ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Running Lights - Next Year (Acoustic) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The end of the years tends to bring out reflections in all of us ... where we are, as opposed to where we hoped we’d find ourselves. The New Year then turns those feeling into resolutions and goals.

This track captures the emotions of all of that in a few minutes and entertains us with a calm melody and emotional performance as it does so. There is a sort of a Pop/Coffee house vibe to the track making it not truly fit in any genre. But good music is good music, and it rarely needs a definition.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Stardawg - Runaway [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track feels bigger than it is, thanks to the layering both vocally and musically.

As a duo, Stardawg relies on the depth of their talent to achieve such a complex sound. Lyrically, ‘Runaway is the kind of song that can be taken different ways and still have true meaning and emotion. I for one, am eager to get a listen to both the upcoming EP and a live show from this LA based pair.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)