Moby Rich - friends* [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Alt-pop duo Moby Rich joined forces with the multi-platinumed talent, Bishop Briggs for a new single. In the case of ‘Friends*’ the asterisk is important, because sometimes those friends mean more to us than we are willing to let on. The longer you have been designated as friends, the harder it is to take the risk and let it be known you wish to be more.

I don’t think there is a person of dating age alive that has not found themselves in this scenario so the song hits home for us all. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Good.To.Go x FunkyCold - Ice [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track delivers a stream-of-conscious, old school vibe with a modern spin lyrically. The easy flow on this track definitely has a summer time ease about it that feels like a stroll down a busy sidewalk with the warm sun keeping you company. An easy track to settle in on with some fresh but poignantly true lines that stick with you. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Rad Trads - 99 in October [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Bringing a humorous take on a serious problem, The Rad Trads ask the tongue-in-cheek question ... What happens to that summer fling when global warming extends summer into perpetuity?

The track delivers a solid summer vibe and a wealth of sounds to the mix giving it a fun energy. And lyrically the single is sharp, but the heart of the premise is indeed a serious matter. The fact the band was able to toe the line and give us both is a testament to their talent and skill, both while performing, and creating. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dan DeCristofaro - Give Me Your Love [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A love song about finding the courage to take that risk and jump from a long time friendship, to something more. Dan DeCristofaro and Bianca Sings deliver ‘Give Me Your Love’ with Soul and passion and the track comes alive with an undeniable energy.

Love is tricky, and sometimes it is a slow burn that blooms from the fruits of friendship, but as we all know it is never easy to escape the friend zone. Sometimes, that leap is exactly what you need. This is the love song for that course of action! ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Stilljune - Care For Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The cold hard fact is not enough people in this world care about others. We all get a bit jaded by this fact, and when that person that doesn’t show the love or care for you is someone you love or care about, the pain is all the more acute.

Stilljune has tapped into the emotions of these facts with ‘Care For Me,’ a track that brings a steady vocal flow and beat that hits home for most of us.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Yify Zhang - Good Enough [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is a cinematic ode to self love. Yify Zhang is wickedly talented and that shines through in every element of this soft uplifting track.

The lyric video makes it easy to follow along as you let the reassuring words settle in and over you. The musical arrangement soars along to provide an added layer of engagement and is nicely matched to the emotion and message of the track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ramond x Champ x Sydnie Battie - Bright Side [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As part of a recent virtual graduation, Ramond performed ‘Bright Side’ for the Colorado State University graduating class of 2020. And the track delivers the perfect vibe of hope and determination and optimism in the face of challenges. The chill vibe is tranquil, yet brings an undeniable energy that pulls you along.

Ramond was hand-selected to Executive Produce a soundtrack based on the popular Black Sands comic book series. The 13-track soundtrack accompanies the animated DVD.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

floeticVandros - Feel Me (feat. Rowlan & DJ Pain 1) [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The track opens with a nice groove hovering between R&B and Pop, before delving into an engaging Hip-Hop flow. Both sets of vocal are intriguing in their own right, and they mesh very well to elevate the track into something truly special. The production of the track adds to the emotion with a smooth steady groove that is easy to ride with. ‘Feel Me’ is one you that you truly can feel all the way through.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elina - Blue [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Swedish Singer/songwriter, Elina offers us a tender ballad that comes in with a soft guitar melody before her touching vocal take over as the primary the focus. There is a Joni Mitchell comparison that is easy to make though Elina certainly brings her own contemporary vibe to the sound. ‘Blue’ is a tranquil slowly unfolding track that was over far too son for me.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

TWO - Phoenix [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The raw emotion of the vocals comes in with the first word and the build continues until you can almost feel the explosion to come. And when the rebirth of the namesake ‘Phoenix’ from the ashes comes up in a big bold chorus, it is hard not to feel the chill of dogged determination.

The track feels sensual and bare in the most vulnerable of ways, and yet it conveys strength and resolve that rings loud and true. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

VENNA - Cross My Heart [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dark and brooding, ‘Cross My Heart’ is a foreboding track from Canadian Electro Pop star VENNA. If Edgar Allen Poe wrote a song with Billie Eilish, the track might sound a lot like this.

The emotional hook is strong and the build intriguing. I found the verses a bit more enthralling than the actual chorus, but that could be my own dark side showing because the chorus brings more of a Pop vibe than the rest of the track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rett Madison - Shame is a River [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rett Madison has invited you deep into her psyche and personal vault of memories and emotions. Invite really isn’t a strong enough word, as she has more welcomed you with open arms thanks to her immense talent. The lyrics wrap around you tight and her emotive vocal performance offers the same level of warmth and understanding. All of that is possible because through sheer honest sharing, she has giving us a track with a strong relevance for us all. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sam Calver - River [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A beautiful contemporary track about the pure and immediate love of a father for his new born son.

Sam Calver delivers a varied and rich vocal performance to express the emotion of fatherhood. Lyrically, the track flows fluidly to bring forth the pride and wonder and hope of the moment quite well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kane Miller - Something New [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kane Miller is an artist we have featured before, and again he has given us a single that I am compelled to share. A song of hope and rebirth, ‘Something New’ delivers an energy that feels like the first bright rays of warm sunshine after a long chilly night. The hope is tangible in both the lyrics and performance, giving this track a light airy vibe of optimism that we can all feed off of.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Digrasso - Make It Last [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Inspired by the unlikely source material of Mötley Crue’s track, ‘Wild Side,’ this big bright Electro Pop single comes alive instantly with its own bit of wildness.

Digrasso is a 24 year old POP/EDM music producer from Stockholm and on this track his talent shines through. ‘Make It Last’ simply feels like sunshine and energy and we all need a bit of that. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers - Never Thought [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers comes with an attitude and edge that feels like both Punk, and Rock, and generational in all the best ways.

Per the band’s description ... ‘Never Thought’ is a quarter-life-crisis, a coming-of-age and a breakup song, squeezed into two, angsty minutes.

That definition fits, proving this band knows not only what they want to say, but also has the talent to achieve exactly that. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Little Sister - Money, Jeans, Sex & Guns [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Little Sister delivers an almost timeless sound on ‘Money, Jeans, Sex, & Guns.’ This is a track that would be at home in any decade from the 80’s forward, but that is not to say it feels dated or retro, because it is just as fitting here in 2020.

There is a hint of Springsteen in the vocals, and a bit of The Killers in the sound as well. The melody offers as much emotion as the well-written lyrics.

Straight up low key rock and roll that speaks loudly. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kieran Sid - Roll The Dice (Feat. Sam Jackson) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kieran Sid is more than ready to ‘Roll The Dice’ and with this single, he has bet on a winner. The track has a varied and unique sound that kept me at the table with every gambit. There is a vulnerability that is soft as the felt of your favorite craps table, but an energy that comes in with the chorus and feels like the pure adrenaline of hitting your roll on the Vegas strip.

How many dice references can I cram into one review? As many as it takes to get you to listen to this fantastic track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sevi Ettinger - Dear Me [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Sevi Ettinger is a 17 year old singer songwriter from the United States now living in Shanghai. With vocal maturity beyond her years, Ettinger’s vocal talent may only be surpassed by her songwriting intuition. This track has a sophisticated Pop vibe without sacrificing the heart of the singer/songwriter sound.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

danny G - best friend [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A fun upbeat ode to the friendship side of love. danny G offers up a nice blend of vocal styles on this track, which is earmarked to help fellow musicians impacted by Covid-19 with all proceeds going to MusiCares.

So, consider downloading this one to add a fun energetic Pop style Hip-Hop track to your personal playlists, and to help musicians struggling through these tough times.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)