Chris de Sarandy - Who I Once Knew [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“We all grow as we age and mature, and at times, two people who were once madly in love grow in different directions leaving an emotional chasm between them. Chris de Sarandy laments such an evolution on his track, ‘Who I Once Knew.’

The song reminded me a bit of Coldplay with more of an Indietronica vibe pushing it forward. The vocal performance is spot on, delivering passion and emotion that the listener can easily feel and connect with.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nikki White - Fairweather Friends [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nikki White taps into the past with her latest single, ‘Fairweather Friends’ which has a retro 80s feel at times, without feeling dated or coming across as interpretive. This track, about letting go of those friends who are only around for the good times, is original and fresh paying homage to the glory days of Pop.

White’s vocals sell the lyrics well, though the writing is strong enough to stand up to repeated listens so the emotional depth is there as well.. Overall, a solid Indie Pop track that highlights the talent quite well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shayla McDaniel - Awake [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Shayla McDaniel delivers this track with a vocal precision that intensifies along with the lyrical build, and by the first chorus I was hooked for good. With each subsequent listen I felt more connected with both the words and performance. This is a track that wraps around you like a warm blanket and simply feels like genuine comfort.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lisa Heller - Hollow [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I don’t always connect with the soft distant production values of Bedroom Pop, but some track simply fit well into such a structure and set of dynamics. Lisa Heller’s ‘Hollow’ is such a song as it dips and soars in the same manner our emotions do and the writing, in conjunction with Heller’s talented delivery, brings that all to life on this disarming single. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dot. - Indigo [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dot. has the kind of vocal tone that simply invites the listener in. Soft and tranquil and rich in tone much like Norah Jones, Dot. takes us an a smooth easy vocal journey through being proud and happy with your work and not succumbing to the outside pressure of bending your art to the needs and wants of others. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Yasha - 96 Shine [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The mood of the song is a vibe. The vocalist has an almost Giveon type of tone. The accents of the harmonizations add texture and volume to the hook which is already catchy in itself. The way the snare sits on top of the beat makes it hard to not nod your head to this one.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Ava Della Pietra - Happy For You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Ava Della Pietra has the kind of talent that immediately commands your attention. Of course her stellar vocals are not Ava’s only talent, as this Broadway actress is no stranger to the spotlight. The theatrical influence does come through in her vocal style, though not at the sacrifice of the Indie Pop vibe that also conjures thoughts of Taylor Swift at times.

’Happy For You’ is an emotional journey well worth taking. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bright Kelly - Shake Til the Fever is Gone [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bright Kelly offers up an emotive Indi Folk track that has hints of Springsteen, John Prine, and a more obscure but equally talented Tom Russell. ‘Shake Til the Fever is Gone’ is not the kind of Commercial track we generally feature but is the kind of song that is honest and genuine and speak to the heart. A songwriter’s ode to acceptance I guess you might say, the track is one that delivers on its emotions with purpose. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Collection - Love at the End of the World [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Collection brings a fresh new approach to the world of love songs. ‘Love at the End of the World’ is about finding love in a world that is falling apart and how we all need to keep living as best we can in the face of conflict and turmoil. The emotive vocals hooked me the writing is smart and intelligent while maintaining an emotional relevance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Pauric O Meara - come home [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pauric O Meara offers this heartfelt track as an extended hand for those down and out and needing help or at least an encouraging word.

’Come Home’ is a call for those who have wandered off path and need a safe haven. The emotive vocal style and musical build combine to instill hope while still maintaining an edge of anxiety which gives the track an added sense of credibility and resonance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lorelei Marcell x Hardcastle - Flashbacks [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Art is often born of heartache and despair and this track certainly has that feel. ‘Flashbacks’ is all about reflecting on the past and dealing with the mix of regrets and missteps we all make. The back and forth nature of the two sets of vocals play well off each other and makes the emotion truly tangible int he way few Pop songs manage to pull off. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eiza Murphy - Haunted [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Trying to love someone whose heart still belongs to another is a futile effort and on the track ‘Hanted,’ Eiza Murphy explores the frustration and hopeless feeling of doing exactly that. The emotive vocals sell the story and emotion quite well on this short but effective gut punch of a single. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

After Kepler - Beers On Mars [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“While set in LA, this track has a universal appeal and perfectly captures the magic of a night where you are free to explore and take on the world soo or alongside friends. The chill vibe and silky vocals feel like that drive where traffic is light and you catch every green light along the way to a place you are eager to be. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Isabella Kensington - What We Had [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Isabella Kensington has the kind of emotive voice that emotionally hooks a listener with a scant few words. Couple that with strong, emotional writing and this upcoming artists is one with the talent to soar. I suppose an emotive female artists singing from the heart is always going to draw Taylor Swift comparisons, but for me Kensington certainly has her own edge and sound that makes her stand out on her own and “What We Had’ is a single that I expect to stand the test of time.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Collection - Rose Colored Glasses [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“It is never easy to see the postives after a break up but, ‘Rose Colored Glasses,’ from North Carolina indie-pop band The Collection hopes to change that. The single is the third single released from their new EP, How to Survive an Ending, due out on January 27, 2023. The track has a Folksy Pop vibe and is easy to fall in and connect emotionally. A track of uplifting energy and hope despite the end of the relationship. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alisa Xayalith - Devil I Know [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Alisa Xayalith steps out from her role as frontwoman of New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous and takes the emotional forefront all alone on her first solo project. “Devil I know’ is a Pop track with strong songwriting and of course stellar vocal talent. The track is insightful in it’s approach to how our minds and hearts work to move us forward through life and relationships.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jagger - Melancholic [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jagger drops this soft, and yes, ‘Melancholic” track that relies on the emotion and vocal talent to draw the listener deep inside the lyrical build. The slow burn wraps around the soul and conveys the mood perfectly for the duration. The vocal performance is spot on perfect and this is the kind of track for dark nights and the quiet moments of self-reflection that we all need at times.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eddie Island - Honey (You Said Love) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A folksy track with Pop sensibilities. A bit like Mumford meets Springsteen with a light airy tone and build that makes it easy to emotional connect with the track. Eddie Island lets the writing soar with a joyous tone and band vocal build that matches the musical vibes of the track. This is the kind of song that delivers the power to change your mood and lift your spirit. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Arkells - Teenage Tears [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Arkells are joined here by Tegan and Sara on this heartfelt track. ‘Teenage Years’ hits all the feels and the blend of voices play off of each other to add to the emotional intensity of the build. The writing is spot on and the delivery every bit as flawless. A track you can listen to over and over again and pick up new nuances each time you do so. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sleeping Lion - CTFO [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The snapping of the fingers sets the vibes for the song. It has a laidback yet sarcastic tone to it. Sleeping Lion lays out the moments when being annoyed exist and you just want people to chill out. If the phrase “take a chill pill” had a theme song this would be it.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]