The Blockchains - Videoblogger [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a fun song decrying the rise of the ... Videoblogger. Delivered in Pop glory with a hint of an 80’s retro vibe, The Blockchains give us a tongue in cheek track that pokes a bit of fun at these ‘Stars’ of today.

The track kept me amused and entertained, though in today’s hyper sensitive world I do see the risk a band takes in possibly alienating the very folks that could help or hinder their exposure. Of course all bloggers, video or otherwise, are not creating equally and I like that the band is unafraid to speak their minds.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rad - When I'm Faded [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track hooked me with the writing up front. Are the vocals pitch perfect and smooth? No, but they are genuine and honest, and I felt every damn word because of that.

When you have something to say, and you can say it with conviction, you don’t need some false shiny luster to make your words shine.

This is Hip-Hop truth with an air of vulnerability to make it real. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cinoevil - Dead Weight [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cinoevil drops this sharply written track that cuts straight into you with a banging energy and steady vocal flow. The track features battle rap veteran, Shotgun Suge and is a powerful verbal onslaught that showcases Cino’s skills as an emcee. The beat is infectious and with each listen the writing comes through to provide even more engagement. The single is part of a 14 track album that dropped in early March.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Check out the complete Album here.

Kailee Morgue - "Knew You" [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is my favorite love song that I have heard in a long time. This track does not dive into purple prose or corny affirmations, but takes a simple idea that I wish I ‘Knew You’ longer than I have. This is the feeling that comes with the realization that life is so much better when shared with that one special person, and for that reason you being to resent the fact you did not meet sooner.

The Pop vocals express this with a sweetness that feels genuine without being overtly sappy. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Chris Milam - Meanwhile [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This is a songwriter’s track through and through. The emotion is real and raw and while the vocal performance shows some breaks with a flat note or two, it is these same imperfections where the track shines with genuine emotion. This track about coping and dealing with loss and like that emotion the single often feels exposed and vulnerable. Because of this, you can truly connect with these well-written lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Anthony Vince - One of Your Shows [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Anthony Vince has true vocal versatility which allows him to sing with a Commercial vibe, and then slip seamlessly into a Hip-Hop flow. Both works quite well on this track. There is an element of 90’s Alternative to the sound as well.

’One Of Your Shows’ is lyrically about coping with the end of a relationship, and while the writing certainly has its moments, the strength of this track is Vince’s diverse vocal capabilities. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

BNGRS x LATASHA - Big City [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track hits hard with a throbbing beat and energetic vibe before settling into a short interlude of a smooth vocal flow. Overall, this track is gritty and rhythmic and feels like a night in the ‘Big City.’

The mood i set at the onset of this single and never really wavers even as the track offers variable sounds. This one delivers both the verve of an a banging Saturday Night with its production, as well as a lyrical cockiness that feels like pure swagger. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

UPSAHL - 12345SEX [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sometimes it is best to defer to the artist when trying to talk about the origins of a song. And UPSAHL says it best when she wrote about her thoughts behind ‘12345SEX’ ... ‘fuck it, I’m going to make a song simply about being horny and living your best life with no apologies.’

Evocative and alluring, ‘12345SEX’ lures you like a siren’s song with its sexy beat and tantalizing vocals. This is pure hedonist Pop that works because it is sultry and seductive in all the best ways. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

ISA - Gravity [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“ISA gives us a catchy and energetic single in her latest track, ‘Gravity.’ inspired by hit songs, Slim Shady and Havana you can definitely detect hints of both in ISA’s arrangement for this release.

Mesmerizing both in the vocal tone, and the melody, this is a single that will linger beyond the last note so beware you just might catch yourself singing along to these words for the rest of the day. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Carolina Rial - Know Me Better

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Success at an early age can be both a blessing and a curse and far too often a person age can be sued to dismiss their perspective. This track is Carolina Rial’s almost defiant response to the very idea that you know nothing because someone else decided you haven’t made enough trips around the sun. The vocals are engaging and the melody energetic enough to get you moving to the beat.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Girl Wilde - Big Fuckup Energy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The songwriting here is intriguing from the start. This track details the self doubt we have all felt and the bending we often do to fit in.

The vocals are passionate and soft early on, before the harder, angst filled chorus drops in. The track goes through a myriad of sounds and vibes just as our minds do when we are overthinking. The transitions are smooth and feel natural, and this Indie Pop track has done a masterful job of simplifying complex emotions.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ellrod - All Day [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An ultra modern love song that keeps north of being predictable or corny. With a pure Pop sound, Ellrod will no doubt remind others of Justin Bieber.

This particular track delivers an energy that sweeps you up and carries you through to the end. ‘All Day’ is the kind of track that sticks in your head and you find yourself singing along to hours later. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Woodville - Romeo's Interlude [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Instrumentals are perhaps even more subjective than the average piece of music, given you have less to establish an emotional connection. But sometimes less truly is more. ‘Romeo’s Interlude’ pulled me in and held me with its soft tranquility and steady beat, all ushered in with a guitar melody. These layers give the track a nice multi-dimensional vibe.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rich DietZ - Bob Ross [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A high energy dance number paying homage to the late great Bob Ross! What’s not to love about that?

There are no shortages of quotable sayings from the great frizzy one, so let’s just say there might not be any mistakes, but it would be a very unhappy accident if you skipped this electric ode to the Master of Calm. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Bethany Ferrie - Stayed [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bethany Ferrie has one of those voices that just feels warm and inviting right from the start. This fact, along with the emotion of the lyrics gives ‘Stayed’ a timeless quality and also makes it tough to categorize in an easy to pigeon hole kind of way..

The tempo and delivery gives you time to think and reflect on the well-written words, and that is a bonus because this is the kind of song that will mean something different for each of us”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Link Lewis - I.N.V.U. [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riding in on a Pop Jazz infused melody, Link Lewis, drops a vocal track that starts on the melancholy side before evolving into an uptempo deliver. The changes do not stop there as a Hip-Hi flow hits halfway through. The variety of styles transition well and compliment the lyrics of this track. ‘I.N.V.U’ is a track abut envying the often false, or at least limited narratives we see of others on social media. It is easy to fall into that trap and even worry that you are dull or uninteresting by comparison and this track’s varied style sort of mirrors the complex thoughts that can get in our head at such situations. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

We Adore You - Yesterday's Grace [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A straightforward rock sound with hints of Dylan and Petty in the sound. Lyrically, the track is about appreciating a relationship even after its times has ended, making this a song about personal growth and reflection. The melody adds to the the vibe here, and the single is one that you hear and can’t help but remember your own past. The words unfurl like a tapestry of memories of what might have been, and what actually was. ”

— 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)

MESSIMER - Witching Hour [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Part of a concept album, detailing the loss of MESSIMER’s father, ‘Witching Hour’ is a throwback kind of song. With vocals that feel like Folk Rock from the 60s, and a hint of The Beatles in the melody, the retro vibe is as strong as the emotion of the lyrics.

This is the kind of track that will speak loudly for some, and perhaps miss for others, especially if they have not experienced the kind of loss behind this track. For those that have, like myself, this one rings quite true.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ben Barbic x Craigy T - Close 2 Peace [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With true to genre vibe and sound, Ben Barbic and Craigy T serve up ‘Close 2 Peace.’ Lyrically the track calls for peace, while acknowledging how far away such an achievement can feel. This cane be taken as a global scale thought, or simply within your own soul.

The energy is chill even when the pace accelerates. This is a track that makes you ponder after the last beat has faded from the speakers. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)