Barbacoa - Follow Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nothing makes music come alive like a steadfast belief in what is written. That conviction shines when performed, and Barbacoa has captured that magic on this single.

With an emotive delivery, not only vocally, but also in the instrumentation comes through immediately and it is that more than anything which commanded my attention as a listener. Lyrically the track took me a couple of listens before I too truly began to dial in and appreciate the writing in the same way I did the vibe of the performance. But he good news is this is exactly the kind of track you will want to play over and over again.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Emily Vu - Drifting [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Being caught in a relationship that isn’t truly going anywhere, can leave a person feeling a bit untethered, even when the times you spend together provide more good than bad. ‘Drifting,’ from Emily Vu, captures such feelings in Electro Pop glory. There is a bit of a Taylor Swift vibe both lyrically and in the performance, but Vu comes across a bit more tender and understanding in her honest assessment of where life has taken the relationship. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Holly Ouellette - One Time, Pt. IV [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Holly Oullette fully embraced songwriting after a Hockey injury curtailed her athletic pursuits, and what the ice loses, the music world gains in a talented writer and emotive vocalist.

Part of a larger project, ‘One Time’ is about trying to rekindle the spark and hope from a damaged relationship that once held great promise. The emotions shine through in both the writing and the delivery, making this an engaging track that simple refuses to let you go. Look for the complete project titles What I Can’t Take Back to hear more of Oullette’s talent.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Liam Mogan - Alone in the City [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track has a sort of quiet desolate vibe in its production, and that feeling perfectly matches the spirit of the lyrics. The imagery of the songwriting is strong and the mood of the track well-established s come along and take a late night trip through the normally crowded streets with Liam Mogan while he is ‘Alone In The City.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

SHOCKEY - HIGH [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Billed as a hybrid strain of Wiz, Surfaces, and Sublime, SHOCKEY’s debut single ‘HIGH’ also has a bit of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ permeating in its smoky soul.

Straight out of iconic Laurel Canyon, this is the new Stoner Anthem you didn’t even realize you were craving. Fire up this track while you fire one up, and get lit while you consume both. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Michelle Ray - Chasing Shadows [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Michelle Ray incorporates a classic vocal sound while giving us a fresh contemporary Electro Pop single titled, ‘Chasing Shadows.’ The vocal talent shines bright here with hints of Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and even vintage Diana Ross. There is a definite throwback vibe with a Disco era energy to the overall arrangement. The track is groovy fun in all the best ways.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

NIIVA - Trigger [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dark and sultry, NIIVA aims her explosive talent straight at your heat with her new single, ‘Trigger.’ A slow burning track that hooks you with a steady beat that gives way to the vocals where it needs to, in order to make you feel every last aspect of the single.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dawson Gamble - I Don’t Care [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I found it wryly ironic that Dawson Gamble infused so much emotion and feeling into a track titled — ‘I Don’t Care,’ and in that contradiction I discovered the beauty of this performance.

This singer/songwriter has a raw yearning, and emotive style that comes through not only in the vocal performance, but the songwriting as well. Every note seems to add to the layers of the song.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gabrielle Marlena - Lady Comforts [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The honesty of the songwriting pulled me in. Meeting a person that has a lot of good qualities, but just doesn’t have that certain spark creates a mental dilemma. In dating world where you come across so many flawed, wacky, and weird people it is hard to walk away from a seemingly normal person simply because the chemistry isn’t there, and this track unravels this thought process with intriguing raw emotion, and an engaging sound. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Skinny B - Young Picasso [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The tangibles that make a performance come alive and artists reach that next level are often hard to define, but whatever those qualities are, Skinny B has them in excess.

Born in Portugal, and raised in Austria, Skinny B is a 19 year old rapper with that extra something special behind his flow. ‘Young Picasso’ is a track that simply comes alive thanks to an infectious performance and a wry set of lyrics. The track comes with a nice bounce to the energy making it a perfect banger for the car.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jaycreux - Violet (Ultra) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The beat hits first, but Jaycreux wastes no time dropping in with a flow that simply resonates. Comparisons to G-Eazy are inevitable, both in style and tone, though Jaycreux comes here with a harder edge lyrically.

’Violet’ is sneaky smart in that it takes a few listens to hone in on the nuanced writing.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Otis Fonde - Never Let Me Down [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Time to get it with Otis Fonde. ‘Never Let Me Down’ brings the energy straight from the get, and the lyrical flow hits with line after line that delivers punch and verve. Coupled with the energetic production behind the flow, and a splash of 70s Funk to that beat, this is a track that brings it in a way you have no choice but join the ride.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

BREIS - Arise & Shine [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The progression and build of this track swept me up and carried me forward. The cadence at times feels a bit staccato, but the uplifting lyrics and emotive tone makes it all work on ‘Arise & Shine.’

British Nigerian Hip-Hop artists, BREIS conveys his intent here with a clear precise delivery that had me grooving along to the beat and joining in the chorus the second time through. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gillian Heidi - desperate [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Gillian Heidi delivers a desperate and angst-filled vibe in the yearning allure of ‘desperate.’ Unexpected attraction to someone new while inside a relationship is a mixed bag of emotions, and while the thrill of the taboo can make a person feel alive, the guilt of cheating even emotionally is a burden that can weigh one down. The uncertainty and misgivings come across lyrically and in the performance of this track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Slim Kings - Raw [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Slim Kings might be skinny in stature, but the band is clearly thick on talent.

’Raw’ is soul-filled Indie Rock track that carries hints of Billy Joel melodically, and Springsteen vocally, all with a bluesy Retro Soul groove that conjures vibes of a long smoke-filled night on the Boulevard.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Spec Kay - 96 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Spec Kay draw a perfect balance between giving us a club banger and a deep conscious track. That beat comes at you and refuses to hear no, wheres the lyrics unfurl with a sharp lyricism that then gives way with a homage to the past with a nostalgic hook that works in a dark eerie way on the track because of the strength of the verses.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sy Sylvers - Best Believe [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sy Sylvers has an alluring vocal tone that simply invites you in at the first note, and here that comes with a melodic groove and rhythm that wraps around you like a warm blanket on a cold night. This combination has blissful affect that draws you in close and keeps you there in the tranquil bosom of her vocal embrace.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Alix Page - Frank [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Alix Page showcases her songwriting talent on ‘Frank’ by playing off of the Frank Ocean track ‘White Ferrari,’ while giving us a track that borrows, but does not steal from a classic hit.

Page’s vocal are tender and yearning in this ode to unrequited love. In both the lyrics and the performance, you can feel the tangible sting of a missed opportunity.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

RICH CAVIAR - 81 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I heard a glut of Kobe inspired songs in the immediate aftermath of his untimely death, and while many came with talent, none quite captured the true spirit of the man for me. ‘81’ from Rich Cavier changed that. Dropping on Kobe’s birthday, this track has a stream of conscious style about it, and is artfully done. Every word and beat has has purpose here — from the 81 Kobe references that pay homage to his 81 points scored in a game — to the 8:24 length of the track with honors the numbers worn by Kobe.

Yes it is a long track, but there is content enough to carry it for the duration, and the words all deliver in the clutch. Just like Kobe.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

J GRGRY - China Creek [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some voices just catch you from the start. The earnest passionate sound of J GRGRY was such a voice for me.

This slow building love song never felt tepid, but rather stoic and determined in the way a lasting love must be. The rising crescendo was important in the progression. The talent shines here in this unassuming and honest track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)