Abby J Hall - All I Wanted [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Rating: 4 out of 5

“You get what you give ... is an expression we’ve all heard. Taking that idea a bit deeper than most usages of the expression, Abby J Hall uses the lyrics of ‘All I Wanted’ to express the idea that we all need to lower our walls in order to form the intense connections that make any relationships truly meaningful and strong.

Within the song, she sings .. I hate being vulnerable,’ but ironically, Hall does exactly that on both her stellar songwriting and the emotive performance of this track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LACES - worship [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“LACES once performed to success under the name Charlotte Sometimes, but a series of life events and personal decisions have led to her burying that name, both literally and figuratively.

In more ways than one, ‘worship’ represents a rebirth, and in the dark moodiness of a stellar vocal performance, lurks an emotion and depth that breaths life into this track, as well as the new direction of LACES renewed career.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

cg - xoxoxo [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is a perfect example of the beat and melody doing the heavy lifting in regard to the prevailing emotion of a song. The vocal delivery hints at a desperate yearning and almost pained morose, but at times choose a monotone delivery which works for the emotions involved. Such a track can lose its energy and feel flat, but the production behind the flow kept this track alive and tangible, allowing you to feel the lyrics in a way you might not have otherwise. The performance is spot on, but in a very subtle way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

OZ - Murder [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Oz has the kind of alluring vocals that speak straight to the soul, and her latest single is powerful in title, as well as emotion.

’It’s a song about the moment it really hits you that someone’s trash and they’re bad for you,’ says Oz of her single, ‘Murder.’

The video utilizes stock footage in a montage that managed to capture the vibe of the track as if each scene were created specifically for the project. A mesmerizing Indie Pop ballad that feels melancholy in a self-reflective kind of way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sleeping Lion x Sophia Gripari - Lonely In LA [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Being lonely is tough on the emotions no matter where you are, but in a vibrant setting like LA the feelings are all the more acute. This track utilizes universal emotions within settings familiar for those who know the City of Angels to create a lively track that toes the commercial line between Pop and more of a singer/songwriter vibe.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hugo Valentine - Rule The World [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hugo Valentine gives us a bit of a throwback. With a track that builds in the arrangement in such a way that conjures vibes of classic hits of the 70’s and 80’s, while also having that big musical sound of a contemporary single, ‘Rule The World’ ends up sounding very much like a collaboration between Elton John and Coldplay.

The energy here sweeps the listener up after a calm opening.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Xanthe Alexis - The Offering [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Reminding me a bit of the Canadian band ,The Cowboy Junkies, Xanthe Alexis delivers a nurturing brand of tenderness in her single ‘The Offering.’

Hailing from Colorado, Alexis brings a hint of that soft mountain spirit to both her songwriting and the vocals in this track. Decidedly Americana in sound, the emotion of this track wraps around the listener and never lets go.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

JP Saxe - A Little Bit Yours [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Letting go is tough, especially when you are holding on a tighter than the other person. This track beautifully captures the emotions of realizing they are gone,even if you are not fully there.

JP Saxe delivers a heartfelt performance over a stripped down melody and production that allows the emotions to rule above all else. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

thehomieAve - John Wicc [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Swaggin’ from the get go, thehomieAve drops this hard beat and unflinching flow straight up on you. There is an old school vibe to the boast-filled writing, but this isn’t your father’s brand of school boom bap but closer to the classic Gangsta era. The beat and production deliver a contemporary vibe that matches the attitude of the performance and lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Fluorescents - Not Another Pop-Punk Song [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pop Punk with a splash of Celtic Rock sound thrown in, Fluorescents latest single, “Not Another Pop-Punk Song’ is perhaps poking a little fun at themselves with that title because of course this track is another Pop-Punk song. However, it is a fun energetic one that stands out because of the talent and wryly sharp writing. The musical shifts keep you on your toes and the vocals make it easy to sing along. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rory D'Lasnow - An American Lie [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Has the American Dream turned into ‘An American Lie?’

Rory D’Lasnow single, highlights the fact that for many, the ideals that landed this country the label of ... land of the free, and home of the brave, now feel are so badly tarnished that the dream feels more like a nightmare for many people.

Of course this theme is very prevalent in music during these troubled times. And rightfully so. This track stood out for me for the clever wordplay of the writing, as well as the heartfelt delivery.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

J Cru - Blockbuster [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“How many movie and Hollywood references can one set of lyrics roll out? ‘Blockbuster’ by J Cru aims to find out, and they do so with a track that still manages to flow and move forward. The flow is hard and heavy, as is the beat, making this a box office hit for your ears.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Drugstore Cowboy - Mexico [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The vocal tone of Drugstore Cowboy hooked me from the opening line. ‘Mexico’ is a single that instills a hopeful yearning brand of emotion that feels both nostalgic, and contemporary at the same time. The duo combine to create a sound that hints of Petty at times, and delivers the edge of Kings of Leon at others. This track is pure Indie Rock bliss.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

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)