Joshua Radin - Better Life [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Joshua Radin has given the world a lot of music, and a lot to think about over 16 albums and hundreds of live shows, so it comes as no surprise that his latest single, ‘Better Life’ brings a powerful message as well. The plight of those seeking refuge, hope, and yes a better life here in the United States has been exploited by both sides of the political spectrum, and frankly it is sad given that this country was founded on the ideals of give us your tired, your poor. This is Indie Folk with a heart and I dig it. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Osé -Do No More [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Osé’s new single ‘Do No More’ is about being in love but running to the end of the emotional tunnel. As the instruments are played in the background she takes her time to deliver an emotional yet contemporary R&B song. This song is about trust, lies, and feelings.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Ian J in Ya Mouth - Long Live Nipsey Hussle [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Nipsey has been gone a while now, but he’s certainly not forgotten, and this track conveys the emotions and passion of his fans quite well.

The flow is low key, but the earnest feelings come through loud and clear and you can feel the grief, disillusionment, and anger in every word.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dance Yourself Clean x Michael Medrano - Sugar [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Since 2013 Dance Yourself Clean has spent nearly every single weekend throwing parties across North America. With the pandemic the boys have turned their entire focus onto the party’s transformation into a juggernaut music project. In the first full year since the project was created, 2020 brought in over 2.3 million streams on Spotify alone.

With their new single ‘Sugar’ set to release on NYE at 12am EST it looks like they’re setting the scene for what may be a massive year of releases and collaborations.

DYC had this to say about ‘Sugar’, “Normally we’d be spending NYE with our friends and DYC family somewhere... Maybe Los Angeles at Teragram Ballroom or NYC at Baby’s All Right. It kills us that we won’t be able to be together this year celebrating. Setting “Sugar’s” release date for midnight on the east coast and 9pm on the west coast is our way of being together with our DYC family across the nation. It may seem silly, but it means something to us and hopefully them too.”

Happy New Year from us here at LA on Lock as well! Thanks for joining us this year and we look forward to bring you more great music in 2021!”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Henry Conlon - I'm Coming Home [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Henry Conlon has captured a dark gritty sound with the acoustic version of his signature track, ‘I’m Coming Home.’ Whilelt he single lives in the Americana,/Folk world of sounds it also brings an old school Blues refrain to the mix and all of it combines to create a heavy undertone to the emotional edge of both the songwriting and the vocal performance. This is a song that sits with you long after the last note has faded. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Canna Man x Filuka x Kaser - Atshitshi [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It’s been a long hard year, and for many we had to find our calm where we could. ‘Atshitshi’ starts as Hip-Hop track that falls into a nice soulful R&B groove and there in the smoke of this Cannabis ballad is a tranquil vibe and flow that unfurls like a nice high.

Add this one to your 420 playlist for those times you want to fire up and chill.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Limón Limón - Away [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This last year has left many of us longing to escape and get ‘Away.’ Limon Limon has captured that eager desire in an energetic ode to wanderlust.

Musically, the track has a splash of the throwback 80s vibe without ever falling purely into a retro feel. There is a dash of The Police, but also a hint of Maroon 5 all over the top of a Latin flair to the beat.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

townsend - Responsible [Review]

Rating: 4 lout of 5

“The on again, off again of a dying relationship is an emotional tweeter totter chocked full of ups and downs. This single from townsend, captures those cycles with a soft vulnerably that keeps you leaning in and invested in the arc of the single.

There is a Pop vibe to this Acoustic driven track that lends it a Commercial sound despite the singer/songwriter structure.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

NAKED KOALA x Matthew Schuler - Drifted Apart [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“NAKED KOALA strikes the perfect balance between emotional singer/songwriter vibes and the energetic feel of a Commercial Pop song with their latest offering, ‘Drifted Apart.’

Most of us have seen friendships and relationship vanish over time so the feelings of this track are certainly familiar and the talent shines as the track also utilizes the talents of Mathew Schuler known to many from his time on The Voice.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

R3HAB - Ones You Miss [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As one year fades into the next, we all tend to take stock of the year that was, as well as the progression of our lives in general. After such a year as 2020, this is all the more true so R3HAB has created the very track we needed to serve as the backdrop for these thoughts.

The musical build is subdued yet provocative enough to invoke that reflective side. Lyrically, the track does a good job of turning our minds inward.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Michael Malcolm x Leems - Without You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you crave honest emotion from your music, Michael Malcom has you covered with ‘Without You.’

Teaming up with his bestfriend, Leems, this Canadian pairing offers a nice tranquil Pop song that is long on simply honesty and the genuineness is what makes the track captivating.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Call Me Ace - No Assistance [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With an uplifting backing that feels like a choir urging you on, Call Me Ace drops his truth with sharply written lines and a rising passion that builds as the track progresses. This track is part of NBA 2K21 in game experience so while many will hear ‘No Assistance,’ it is vital that you take time to stop and digest the lyrics for the full experience to land.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

K.M. - Not Everybody Lives [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The truth delivered here in these lines ... Everybody dies, ‘Not Everybody Lives’ ... is a sentiment we have heard before, but K.M. drops this hook amid a lyrical build that feels both passionate and earnest. The flow is steady and deliberate, yet still conveys a heartfelt belief that makes every word land with conviction. It is this, that allows the track to break through and land in a meaningful way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Candid - Amputation [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Candid offers up the pain of having your heart removed. ‘Amputation’ is not a word widely used as a synonym for hear break but having your soul ripped out by a bad breakup is no less panful than losing a limb while you are are enduring the emotional pain so it works well here in this raw, Indie Rock delivery. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Isanna - Business [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Isanna infuses her performance with an angsty form of passion that hints at both anger and frustration, but feels oh so real on this track.

’Business’ is about trying to stay grounded and focused amid the chase of trying to carve your place in the world. Quote from Isanna: ‘Business is a kind of refuge amidst the chaos and clout-chasing of the music industry. At the time of writing it, I felt myself getting swayed by the smoke and mirrors of the business, and the song felt like a way to bring myself back down to earth, and to the people who keep me sane, for example, my brother and manager Alex. The track is a reminder to protect your energy and keep moving forward, no matter what’s happening around you.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lola Lennox - La La Love Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lola Lennox drops this energetic track on us that feels a bit like a Holiday song in spirit even though the lyrics are not specific to any time of the year. The vocals reminded me of a mix of Amy Winehouse and Adele though this single certainly feels more Pop oriented than those artists tend to sound.

All in all, a fun track that gathers you in and carries your forward with a smile on your face.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tessa Violet - Wishful Drinking [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming in with an alluring beat and vocal style, Tessa Violet is doing a bit of ‘Wishful Drinking’ on her latest single. The track first found life as part of a Tik Tok challenge, and is now ready to go beyond the realm of social media and mesmerize us all with its snake charm like sound of intoxication. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Icon South - Clone (ft. Neko Savvy & Lil Twist) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Icon South teams up with fellow Texas artists Neko Savvy & Lil Twist to lay it down on this crazy Zetra & Sham beat.

The beat and progression make it easy to put a little bounce into your sway as you let this track settle down on your shoulders. The unique vocal tones mesh well and leave the track standing out in a time when a lot of tracks sounds exactly the same.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Bad Flamingo - Dead Man's Hand [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Fans of Jack White will appreciate the eclectic and at times, defiant sound of Bad Flamingo. This is not the first track from the masked band that has caught my attention here at LA on Lock, nor is it likely the last given the band’s proclivity for mood setting productions and arrangements.

There is an element of Spaghetti Western here with a bit of trail dust carrying a hint of bad girl grit. Such a track will miss for some, but if you are looking for something different than the same old radio tracks — Bad Flamingo has a leg up on the competition.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Santino x Mir Fontane - What is Hell Like? [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The unique tone caught me first, and the strong writing kept me leaning in. Both flows deliver a nice bit of passion and emotion and the beat production feels right for the track — hitting hard at times, but staying out of the way where need be.

’What is Hell Like?’ ... well I can tell you Hell is not listening to good music and talented artists like this, so the question will have to be answered another day for me.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)