TITUS BANK - Hide Me Like You Do [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Titus Bank captures the emotional distress of a lover not as fully open and committed about your relationship as you are. The track has a tender Pop build and feel, with an emotional underscore that feels very real and vulnerable.

Making a comparison to another artist is not easy as I do hear subtle influences, but nothing that overshadows Bank’s own talent and spirit. This is a well-written track that hits ground not a lot of other music covers.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

ItsMeHowl - Le Sigh [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Need something to put on while you relax or focus on another task at hand? ‘Le Sigh,’ from ItsMeHowl is just the track you need for such playlists.

Low key and calm, but still with a true sense of purpose and direction, the track carries you along like a gentle river toward wherever it is you wish to go. This piece is all about setting a mood in the background, and it achieves that task very well. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Will Kline - Anywhere [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Electro Folk? That might not be an established genre, but this track certainly delivers both elements. On this track, Will Kline sounds like an Avicii/Mumford collaboration.

Lyrically, the track is hopeful and earnest in its wanderlust, and musically it is right at home as a low-key dance number. The end result is a light airy track with a solid beat and a progression that keeps you leaning in for more.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

indy. - okay [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The ragged edge of emotion is the trademark of this track from indy. ‘Okay,’ teeters at the precipice for the duration and every so often the rage and angst bursts forth. It is those moments that hold this track together and make it truly stand out.

The verses are delivered in a measured, almost controlled way, devoid of emotion, much the same way many of us go through life until something hits and it all explodes. This track puts that dynamic in musical form with the single walking that Commercial/ Alternative edge in its sound.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jared Minnix - Carhartt Beanies [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jared Minnix is an accomplished guitarist out of Nashville that is increasingly making his name as not only a talented instrumentalists, but as a Pop vocalist and songwriter as well. Minnix captures a light almost airy vibe with ‘Carhartt Beanies,’ a track that feels both nostalgic and upbeat at the same time. The delivery is infectious and the words are easy to fall in and sing along with making this a track to add to your summer playlists. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rico Freeman - Cash Out [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rico Freeman kept me on the hook for this ride with a siren like beat, and an unbalanced cadence that kicks off a vibe that takes the flow right to the ragged edge.

You can call this a hype track if you must, but it simply feels like a declaration of confidence for me. Add this track to your energetic playlists when you need that jolt of motivation. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nalij x Kantshes - Cream [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Drop that top down, and cruise along slow with the easy groove of ‘Cream’ riding along with you. Nalij and Kantshes offer up this classic laid back flow to complete the vibe and make it feel like the warm sunshine is on your face, and a cool breeze is at your back.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

TalkSick - 2 Complicated [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dance Pop magic! That is what Netherland band, TalkSick has given us with ‘2 Complicated.’ This is the tough to pull off dance track that works as perfectly well riding alone in your car, or out on the dance floor. You can truly feel this one, or you can simply get lost int he beat and rhythm depending where your head is at the moment. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kat Hammock - June [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“You often hear stories and songs about how going off to college is the beginning of the end for high school loves, but people tend to look at those relationships as more crushes and cases of puppy love than anything else. This track takes the dynamic of a college relationship and how it is tested when both parties go back home for the summer. Sung with a tender vulnerability and delicate beauty the track captures what it feels like as we grow up emotionally. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Andrew Cushin - Memories [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Anytime an artist in any medium lays themselves bare, the end result is going to speak to many of us. Such is the case with Andrew Cushin and his new track.

‘Memories’ is a song where the 20-year-old artist poignantly explores the question of what masculinity means in the present day. This is tender, emotional songwriting that speaks to the human psyche in all the best ways.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tyra Jutai - Rebound [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming in with an early-200s vibe, this track establishes a souldful groove from the start but the unique vocal tones of Tyra Jutai soon take over and carry us for quite the lyrical ride.

The hedonistic track, ‘Rebound’ (ft. City Fidelia), explores the rebound period after a relationship ends when all you want is a distraction – whether it be drinking, drugs, sex or music – to get over your heartbreak.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jake Scott - Anymore [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The realization you don’t need that toxic person in your life is truly liberating and Jake Scott has put that revelation into song form here on ‘Anymore.’

The track has a nice soft build and a singer/songwriter vibe that is easy to connect with and fall in on the lyrical progression.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

April Jai - Me Too [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We’ve all been told that time heals all wounds, but some cuts are too deep to ever truly “get over.” April Jai drops this deeply personal track that takes the emotion of being hurt, and makes us feel it, and rethink how such trauma changes who we are.

The track is beautifully performed and the melody adds to the well-written words and while the song is sad, there is a tinge of hope as well. Sometimes, the knowledge that those who are struggling, are not doing so alone, is enough to ease the burned upon our shoulders. That’s what good art can do for us all. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rallie - Too Good [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sultry and seductive, Rallie unfurls ‘Too Good’ in tantalizing fashion. The track has the sexual energy of a classic Prince song and the devilish spirit of good girls gone bad.

A fun listen with enough of a Pop style production to give it a glossy Commercial vibe. This feels like a 2021 Summer hit in the waiting. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bridge City Revival - Lucky Me feat. Arietta Ward [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I don’t know much at all about the Portland Soul scene, but if it sounds anything like this, it is time I booked a plane ticket for Oregon.

Bridge City Revival, in conjunction with Arietta Ward, drops this easy groove titles ‘Lucky Me.’ The track comes with that timeless Soul you never know you need to feel, until it is filling your ears prompting the question ... where has this sound been?”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

EMELINE - flowers & sex [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“She means it when she says .... All I want is ‘Flowers & Sex.’

EMELINE speaks her intentions with direct clarity on this Electro Pop track that hooks you in immediately. The alluring production and sultry delivery work in perfect unison to establish a mood. And that mood is get to it, and quit talking about it.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Moemaw Naedon & Calig Kontra - Futura Dystopia [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Moemaw Naedon and Calig Kontra have captured a mood with ‘Future Dystopia.’ Described as a post apocalyptic banger, this track unfurls with procision hitting its mark every step of the way.

The old school flow meshes well with the hard-edged beat and build of the track, making it feel futuristic while maintaining the tones and edge of a foundation too many other artists run from these days. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

ASTN - It's Not That Serious [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Wavy guitar licks and a smooth sultry vibe ushers in this track from ASTN. ‘It’s Not That Serious’ offers a timeless sort of sound that lures the listener in and wraps around them like a warm blanket on a dark chilly night. Call it soulful R7B with just enough of a pop undertone to keep the track relatable for music lovers. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Travis James x Esteva - Miss Those Days [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Earnest and honest songwriting brought to life by emotional performances always have a leg up on the competition, and that is exactly what this track delivers. Travis James and Esteva team up on this duet of a couple that once was, but now is trying desperately to move on. However, cutting those bonds is tough and ‘Miss Those Days’ is a emotive, Indie Pop look at the struggle to find a new path. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mustafa Sal - johnnysixteen [Review]

“An anthem for Gen Z, ‘johnnysixteen’ is a smooth Pop groove telling the story of a young man trying a find his place in the world. That theme is of course universal through the ages, but Mustafa Sal does a great job of capturing the thoughts, fears and attitudes of his generation. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger