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)

Parris LaVon - Two-Four [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Artist Parris LaVon is very metaphoric and he releases this energy in his music as he turns his pain into a pot of gold in Two-Four.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hamster - Can't Be Drowned [Review]

“Direct vocals that register with the psyche, and an unrelenting beat to keep you emotionally connected to a track that every one of us can relate to.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

#LAOnLockExclusive: Link Lewis - "Beat Down" [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Piano, bass, hi-hats and much more is what you are in for in Link Lewis’s song “Beat Down.” With an eclectic mix of instrumentals, Lewis perfectly tops it off with his soulful and velvety voice. He writes from the heart with lyrics like “I’ve been feeling beat down/ just let it go..” tapping into our insecurities and urging us to take a deep breath and move on. With an increase in mental health issues amongst young adults, songs like these are important. The gyrating tempo and rhythmic beats create a positive sound that matches its uplifting lyrics. This is a good one.”

— BGiraldo

Benzi - Whatcha Gon Do [Review]

Rating 3.5 out of 5

“From that first beat, Benzi demands your attention.

The question asked in this refrain is simple to answer ... ‘Whatcha Gon Do’ ... is listen to this track over and over.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

CAii - The Carousel [Review]

Rating 4.5 out of 5

“With a decidedly British sound from the first beat ‘The Carousel’ feels like it belongs on the soundtrack to a James Bond movie.

Intriguing and alluring vocals add a mysterious element to this cat and mouse game between a would-be couple.
Production is top notch and just when you think you are settled in for a smooth ride the track surprises in delightful ways.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Peridot - Fleeting [Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I felt every word.
I believed every word.

Sweet mournful vocals accompany this well-written song of longing. The piano and strings are the perfect accompaniment to this voice.

Fleeting describes much of life and Peridot has captured it oh so well with this release.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Where Is Kobi? - Waking Up [Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This light and airy melody makes it hard to sit still, and combined with a fun set of lyrics this single will have you signing along .

Where Is Kobi?

We can all hope back in the studio recording another fun Pop hit for the world to hear.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Liv Dawson - Pushing 21 [Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A description like ... ‘Soft vocals with an edge,’ sounds like an oxymoron, but Liv Dawson pulls off exactly that with Pushing 21. A decidedly commercial offering, this single infuses enough emotion and commonality to engage listeners.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

Curly Chuck & TyC - Sharktank [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dive in because the water is thumping in this ‘Sharktank.’ Lyrics razor sharp and a ragged delivery that brings out the emotion. A track with some real splash.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dylan Rockoff - Awesome [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“An easy pop track destined to be a summer hit as it is easy to smile and groove too.

And Hey, who doesn’t want to feel ‘Awesome’?”

— Travis Erwin LA on Lock Blogger

Bene - Soaked [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This one truly does get soaked up in your brain. Smooth alluring vocals and a nice easy groove carry a set of vocals that say more than you would assume at first listen. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

DAX - My Last Words [Review]

Rating 4.5 out of 5

“The intro is dark, but real, and the lyrics launch off from from this with something to say. Far too many tracks fall into the trap of a convenient rhyme rather than writing with a clear message. ‘My Last Words’ is powerful and raw and delivers a truth that is far too uncommon in most songwriting.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jahan Nostra - El Chapo (feat. Ceschi) [Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Songs carry a power to entertain, educate and enlighten and this song carries that three-pronged torch well.

The production and delivery are solid here, but this track is about the message and emotion.

Reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar this is music with something to say. And say it well as cartel leader El Chapo is not glorified here, but rather used as a metaphor of political protest.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

EMAN8 - IOU ft. Kid Quill [Review]

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

“Get up on your feet and groove along to IOU. From the bouncy piano to the jovial melody and uplifting lyrics this is a feel good ditty about appreciating the good people in your life.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

The Graylings - In The Night [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Vocals dripping with emotion that conjure up thoughts of old school Emmylou. The lyrics are brought out not only in the stellar delivery, that feels true and authentic, but also by the perfectly balance melody. Smooth and soft and haunting all at the same time.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

James Deacon - Not Givin' Up [Review]

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

“‘Not Given Up’ rolls out to your ears feeling like three songs in one, and the entire trio is engaging and entertaining. The vocals pulled me in and held me tight through all three delivery styles and musically this track gets out of the way so that the emotions and lyrics carry the way.”

— 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)

MarKaus - "Bounce Rap" [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track delivers with a infectious beat, back dropped by a haunting air raid siren that could have overshadowed all else with the wrong production, but as is the balance of the music and words and that siren only serves to punctuate a set of lyrics that speak loud and clear. The delivery is engaging and raw and the emotional bounce held me in the groove. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)