Stephen Flickner - Destiny [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sometimes when you are making those right and left swipes, you stumble across that person that captivates you from the get go. Maybe you meet and maybe you don’t., but either way sometimes a person lingers in your mind creating a persoanl narrative in your imagination. If you do meet, and then go your separate ways without them having the same powerful feelings then you are left wondering about the girl you thought perhaps was your ‘Destiny.’

This is the world that Stephen Flickner give us in all of its Commercial Pop glory with a smooth melody, and an engaging voice. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

D. - $9 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track made me smile and nod in agreement. Bringing a chill flow, that escalates as it goes along, the message is real and truthful and speaks volumes in a wry subtle way.

’$9’ can feel like a fortune to a kid, but in the real world nine dollars isn’t shit, and the narrator here wants to teach a kid that lesson while opening his eyes to a whole lot more.

The vocal flow feels a bit like off the cuff poetry, but there is enough beat and energy to make the track come alive and give it a bit more of a commercial vibe as a result.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ryan Hemsworth x Ricky Lake x WADE08 - What I'm On Tonight [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ryan Hemsworth drops the official remix of ‘What I’m On Tonight’ from Ricky Lake’s new album ‘Last Summer Sucked!’

The track has energy and life and is engaging from the drop. The vocal mix is intriguing throughout , and this is a song that defy’s you not to pop into the groove and sway along to the rhythm. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Odd Holiday - Heartbreak [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A Punk ballad of heartbreak that is so perfectly constructed you feel every emotion. I am not talking one emotion, but the full range that your mind and heart goes through post breakup.

The vocals remain true to the Punk sound and sensibilities, while melodically the track delivers a variety of sounds to achieve this impact. Each layer brings its own set of feelings and blended together, this track feels both simple and complex. Just like any true ‘Heartbreak.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Josh Dominguez (feat. T.R.3) - DOUBT [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track brings a couple different vibes and sounds, and all of it works quite well because at the core of the song is solid, meaningful writing that conjures a variety of emotions.

The only thing I was left wanting was more, because at under three minutes the single had room to bring even more punch. The string intro was perfect lead in and the beat blended to usher in the vocal flow with engages me from the get.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ryan Innes - Stay Foolish [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The guitar melody gives us a hint of the intimacy to come, but even so, Ryan Innes captures the moment instantly with an emotional set of vocals that hooks and holds like few artists can. Delivering a set of lyrics that is about honoring who you are and not changing because of the actions of others, the song unfurls with deliberation and a steady pace that is perfectly executed by Innes. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mia Vaile - Chasing California [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“California has long been associated with the idea of chasing Golden Dreams, but for anyone eager to take that leap, there comes an underlying fear of failure.

Mia Vaile captures that trepidation with her dark and gritty track, ‘Chasing California.’ The vocal performance is haunting and beautiful, and a touch sorrowful, while the beat and production qualities of the track bring out the emotion with build perfectly instep with Indie Electronic genre. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Grace Gillespie - Goodbye [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is an inviting element to the tone of Grace Gillespie’s voice that reminds me of vintage Joni Mitchell. And the lyrics are poignant and emotional. The melody is fairly straightforward and folksy, though the track feels a bit more broader than that description makes sit sound. There are folk elements for sure, but there is a haunting edge to this that feels decidedly commercial and contemporary.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Shea Abshier & The Nighthowlers - Take Me 2 Your Hell [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Some songs just land different, and you know immediately to shut up, lean forward, and listen closer. ‘Take Me 2 Your Hell’ is such a song.

Shea Abshier & The Nighthowlers deliver an emotional set of lyrics that hits you right square in the emotional gut, like a lover in the wake of a toxic breakup, which is exactly what this track is about.

Call this rock. Call it alternative. Hell, call it Americana if you want, but the label doesn’t really matter because when the execution is this intense, the genre is nothing more than a label to slap on to what is in fact, simply damn good music. ”

— 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)

Taylor Bradshaw - Our First Date [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Taylor Bradshaw has one of those voices that can go soft and emotional, or can ratchet up and hook you with an energetic Rock vibe. Bradshaw utilizes both on ‘Our First Date,’ to bring forth that flash bulb feeling of self revelation when you realize you are about to be madly in love with a person you barely even know. The emotions of being on that precipice and deciding to step off into an unknown come through in both the performance and the lyrics”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Furlong - Hate girls [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Furlong comes right at you with this ricking beat and melody. The vocals come in with Pop attitude and edge that matches the emotions of the lyrics. The adrenaline of being face to face with your enemies can get your blood pumping and that is what this song about the same does quite well. Don;t sleep on this Australian band as they have already proven to our readers her at LA on Lock that they can deliver the Rock and Roll goods. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Petty Party - Paralyzed (ft. Vp3) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The emotion of wanting someone more than they want you is something most of us have felt. This song brings that kind of vibe, but it goes beyond that because the viewpoint comes from someone who realizes this person they want is bad ,and maybe even dangerous for them. It is about an addiction that could be even more deadly than chemical dependency.

The vibe is jazzy and uptempo, but the track delivers a decided commercial appeal that fits well int he modern landscape of music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dani Le Rose - Flowers [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Dani Le Rose drops a track with exotic tones and an intoxicating beat. Le Rose’s vocals are soft, yet sultry and the lyrics spring from the emotions like a flower from the parched earth, to give us a beauty that stems from arid emotions. The arrangement of the track accentuates the songwriting to grow this single, ‘Flower’ into a delightful bouquet of sound and emotion. This is the Electro Pop we all want and need! ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Von Deckle - Devilish Girl [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track delivers a rich and earthly Blues Roots vibe. Hard driving guitar energy backs the vocals, which feels like a ride down a rough gravel road. That is a good thing here, because the vibe fits perfectly with the lyrics and spirit of this song. The songwriting puts a twist on the trope of selling your soul to the devil to gain the thing you most desire. In this case, the love of a woman. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rich Jacques - Edge of The Sun [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rich Jacques establishes a mood and tone immediately in this brooding track about gathering the courage to take that next step. The arrangement of ‘Edge of The Sun’ is meticulously cultivated to keep the listener intrigued. Lyrically, the track is layered with each line building nicely on top of the last. The chains are interlinked in such a way that it pulls you through like fine tuned machinery. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gabriel and Zoe Brush - Resting Place [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The piano is haunting, and the lyrics poignant and powerful. Emotion dominates every facet of this single, and the duo of voices build and mix to deliver a heartfelt punch to your very soul.

This track fits the singer/songwriter vibe, but we are not simply talking about a stripped-down acoustic version of a song, because here we have a powerful ode that feels layered and complex in both the writing and arrangement, despite relying on very few elements to arrive at that rich sound and emotional resonance.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

YutaY - Run [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I do love me some good word play, and anything that makes me rethink and reexamine common words and phrases. We have all ran from more than one thing, but we don’t often take the time to slow down and even realize how much running we are doing.

This song was written about that inexplicable need to run when chasing your dreams, and how if you slow down you might get consumed, but really the words hold a much broader appeal once you begin to consider them from varied angels..

i will confess that at first listen the almost 80’s video game sound of the beat and melody had me distracted, but on subsequent goes, it found the sound hit me as the perfectly odd choice to accompany this well-written track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LPX - New Mood [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“In a lot of ways, this track feels like a punked-out, anxiety-filled version of Sheryl Crow’s classic rock diary ‘All I Wanan Do.’

LPX is the high-octane alternative solo project of Lizzy Plapinger, and ‘New Mood’ is in her own words a ... ‘visceral take fueled by a post panic adrenaline rush, it’s an anthem for change and breaking habits, committing to yourself and wanting more.’

The track is Pop Punk, Rock, and Alternative all in one.

It is raw emotion and energy and truth.

It is music from the heart soul and body.

It is a track you need to listen to . Not once. But may times over. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LPX on tour:

https://LPX.lnk.to/Live2020PR

4.12 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen

4.14 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen

4.15 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen

4.16 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen

4.18 - Houston, TX @ Revention Center w/ Maggie Rogers

4.20 - San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theater w/ Maggie Rogers

4.21 - Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theater w/ Maggie Rogers 

Alice Jemima - Serious [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The world of social media is a false canvas that we all are painting our lives across, and this artful track and video from Alice Jemima takes a look at this ‘Serious’ problem.

The loose connections we form via images and blurbs are not as true or absolute as our real life relationships, and yet more and more, society is putting a heavier emphasis on the former while disregarding the latter.

Out of the context of face-to-face interaction the smallest of things are exploited and taken far too serious at times. This track is about exactly that and so much more.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)