Aron Blom - Water [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Aron Blom possesses an engaging vocal tone that pulls you deep into his performance here on the single, ‘Water.’ The track takes a look at that next phase of a relationship when the initial lust and luster has faded and perhaps you realize the other person is not quite as perfect as you first believed. However, this rediscovery can lead to an even better understanding and long lasting love and Blom is able to covey this thorough strong writing and his touching vocals.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Freedom Fry - Happy Little Thoughts [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Freedom Fry is back with their own brand of ‘Happy Little Thoughts.’ This husband wife duo are releasing the track ahead of their upcoming album, Songs from the West Coast due May 29th.

The single delivers a hauntingly soft set of vocals about being down and out because it seems like the rest of the world is happier and more put together than you and your own life. Social media has certainly increased this sentiment for many and of course the current state of events has everyone stuck in a weird set of emotions.

I am a big fan of the varied sounds Freedom Fry deliver and look forward to the release of the album for even more surprises from this talented team.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

YONAS - Good Day [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is something to be said for unbound optimism and that is exactly what YONAS is offering with his positive vibe laden track, ‘Good Day.’

The flow here is loud and vibrant and full of easy to follow good cheer, even when YONAS drops a few fuck yous along the way. Join in, song along and you to can be having a ‘Good Day.’ ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Paden - All The Saints [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A quiet first verse ushers in this emotional cry for help. The track ramps up the emotional intensity as well as the tempo as the song progresses and the build pulls the listener along effortlessly until the second voice comes in with a surprising softness that drives home the vulnerability.

Fans of Coldplay will find it easy to connect with Paden’s style and sensibilities. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Olivia Deane - Cynic Queen [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Olivia Deane brings an energy and attitude to this genre bending track. Bringing definite Pop swagger and production to lyrics that permeate a honky-tonk queen vibe of Country music at its best, Deane put her foot down on the dating world’s throat with her single, ‘Cynic Queen.’ But so pure is the talent and earnest emotion that you can’t help but give her an enthusiastic ... Hell Yeah! Tell it girl!”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Timmies - be someone to never lose [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track brings an intimate vibe with its soft vocals and tranquil beat and melody. At only a little more than 90 seconds long the track does not fit into the commercial mindset, but I was mesmerized by the tender emotion behind the piece and each time I gave it a listen I was totally immersed and calmed by the mood of the track.

Feels like a glimpse into the personal thoughts of another, and yet it carried relevance for me as well. There is simply an understated beauty behind this song.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Madeleine Rae & Al von Staats - Dare You Not To Kiss Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Breaking up is hard no matter the circumstances, but what happens when one or both of those involved knows that saying goodbye is a mistake they will regret?

That exact scenario is at the heart of this single from Madeleine Rae & Al von Staats. Both sets of vocals are soft and tender, and you can feel the emotion of the moment in the soft sweet arrangement. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

OSTON - Shrug ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A fun track about not quite fitting in, ‘Shrug’ highlights OSTON’s vocal capabilities with a nicely varied and energetic performance. Written after moving to LA from Utah, the track is about the insecurities we all feel when forced beyond out comfort zone and the point is that sometimes it is better to simply shrug such feelings off, and stay true to who you are, rather than bend in uncomfortable ways. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mass Conformity - Outside the Lines [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A bluebird kind of day vibe permeates the air on this track which is laid over top of a jazz-like piano melody and the soft sounds of birds on a spring day. Lyrically, the piece falls somewhere between self-reflective stream of conscious, and a pointed freestyle about commentary on life and society. The flow comes steady and unrelenting with enough passion to make it interesting , but not so much that it spoils to tranquility of the mood. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mase Well x Michael Christmas - Cycles [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Come for the fantastic line about Bill Murray and everyday being the same — Stay for the soulful beat and groove.

The writing sparkles at times on this track, and while there were a few production decisions that felt out of place me, the overall vibe here kept me tethered to the track all the way through. Both vocal flows are engaging, and I found myself closing my eyes and swaying along. In the end, that is all you can truly ask for from a song. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Modslee x Ariza - Don't Really Wanna Know [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Powerful lyrics and emotional performance gives this track an unrelenting allure that draws you deep into the treachery of heartbreak.

Escaping the memories of a lost love is tougher in this digital age where the current lives and statuses are but a click away, so even when we ‘Don’t Really Want To Know’ what is going on with that ex, the compulsion to check in is a hard one to fight. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Justin Jesso - If You're Meant To Come Back [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Justin Jesso captures you with the emotion and vulnerability of his voice. In this piano ballad he lays out a tender refrain that drips with hope and confidence that what is meant to be will be. ‘If You’re Meant To Come Back’ is about the faith of a lover willing to allow their person to spread their wings and fly, but even they realize that life is unpredictable and you never quite know where another will land. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Cool Quest - PUNISHER [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is a modern soulful track that drips with trepidation and pending emotion. You can run from trouble, but you never truly escape and this song is about knowing that fact and waiting for the moment when it comes time to pay for the things we have already done.

The vocal tone is intriguing through a variety of delivery styles and the beat and melody add to the rising tension of the track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lucy May Walker - Bad Day [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I do love a good go to hell song, and Lucy May Walker gives us exactly that with ‘Bad Day.’

Heartbreak is a hard thing and sometimes taking the high road simply is not effective in easing the pain. This fun and light track is for certain low road therapy, but it is smile inducing entertainment and that is a road I will happily travel every single time. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cimòn - MAE [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track from Cimòn brings passion and fire, and feels exactly like the rebirth it is. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Cimòn unabashedly flexes his plumage with choice lyrics and direct statement at those who have doubted or counted him out. The writing is sharp, and the flow engaging, on this single that is as much a proclamation of creativity and art, over commercialism and the pursuit of the dollar as it is a personal statement. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sophia Gripari - Hate You But I Don't [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“What happens when the one that did you wrong moves on, and you are left not hating them nearly as much as you think you should? This odd mix of emotions is what fuels Sophia Gripari’s new single, ‘Hate You But I Don’t.’

Gripari’s vocals hint at a lurking pain behind the sweet tone, and the production is low key which allows the emotions to seep through making the track sneakily powerful.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lil Guillotine x MC Sole - No Thanks [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With the Virus dominating the news cycle, the election has been pushed to the back burner, but this track shifts the focus back for at least a few minutes.

Well-written political refrain is rare in any genre, but Hip-Hop seems to be leading the way and this track joins several others with truth and conviction in a low- key, jazz infused flow. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Luke Austin - Arrow [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Once upon a time, much of the mainstream music that came out of Nashville had genuine emotion behind it, but little by little that sound bled out to an over-saturated market of bro fueled party songs that said nothing and conjured even less emotionally. Luke Austin now calls Nashville home, but he hails from Toronto and here on this songwriter styled vibe, he brings exactly the emotion that once thrived in Music City.

I won’t call it country because the modern sound is as unpure as any genre these days, but this song is heavy on the emotion of love, and delivers steady unwavering vocals that some might feel fits what that genre once was. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Fionn - Mattress on the Floor [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A track about finding that silver lining, even when you have hit what feels like rock bottom.

Fionn’s vocals offer hope and energy and emotion, which is the perfect combination of emotions for this well-written track about picking yourself up and finding your way when everything doesn’t go as planned.

’Mattress on the Floor’ is an anthem for every Plan B option , for determination, for the very spirit of unwavering perseverance. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Molly Hammar - Alone [Review]

“With soaring vocals, Molly Hammar brings her latest single, ‘Alone’ to a big bold sound that sweeps you in as a listener — and holds you with the power and emotion.

Being alone can be tough, but being with the wrong person can be so much worse, and far more harmful in the long run. The overall vibe here is tough to pin to a traditional genre as it contains elements of Pop, R&B, and EDM and yet the the blend is very engaging and entertaining.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)