The Painted Roses - Temptation [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Painted Roses feel like a band you’ve heard before. Not in a copycat — everybody is doing it kind of way, but in that timeless Rock and Roll sound that makes them sound as if you’ve been listening to the band all your life.

‘Temptation’ is a brooding kind of track with a deliberate build that takes a few twists and turns along gthe way. Per the band’s description ... ‘song features three separate parts which are meant to guide the listener through an average panic attack in a day in the life of the songwriter.’

I am not sure I got that first listen through, but I was engaged and entertained and plan to dive back in and break this track down once I’ve added it to my playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Reiv - Supernovas [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Reiv newest single “Supernovas” is a melodic rap song mixed with multiple flows and melodies. This mix is a relaxed vibe that will leave you musically floating. Reiv’s persona is very laidback and you can hear it in his vocals as he takes you to a different space”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Marian Hill - omg [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sexy and sultry and funny are not always bed partners, but here on this track from famed Alt-Pop duo, Marian Hill, you will find all three.

This track offers a fun little romp with a hint of French allure and an Urban Electro sensuality that feels like the anticipation of a fun night on the town when anything is possible. The track gets you moving and keeps you smiling.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Paul Oakenfold - I'm In Love ft. Aloe Blacc [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Paul Oakenfold and Aloe Blacc. What could possibly go wring with such a talented pairing?

Absolutely nothing judging by the first single to be released from Oakenfold’ upcoming album.

’I’m In Love’ is the first taste from the album to be titled, Shine On, and shine it does with rich textures and a smooth build and progression that epitomes the dance music sound to perfection.

This might be the first time you are hearing the track, but it won’t be the last. Add it to your playlist early and tap in on the infectious sound whenever you like.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Yayvo - Champagne [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pop the cork on this track and you will be sipping on the tasty sounds of Yayvo. ‘Champagne’ offers a bit of sweet bubbly for the soul with its smooth groove and easy flow.

The hook is easy to dial in and song along with and the verses offer enough to connect it all and keep you savoring the sound long after the bottle is first opened. So raise your glass as you add this track to you playlists and expect others to toast your fine ear for being one of the first to discover great new music. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Original Son - The Turnaround [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This three piece Punk band out of LA comes at you with an energetic edge that hooks you in from the start. Leaning to the Pop Punk side, ‘The Turnaround’ has a hint of Celtic flair to the sound that works well.

Lyrically the band offers enough grit to keep the track from feeling solely like a party anthem, though it does have that motivational get you stoked kind of aura. The vocals are emotive and passionate and the music shines in this raucous arrangement. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cloud 9ine KO - I Can Tell [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cloud 9ine KO delivers confidence, wry humor, and a sweet little groove on ‘I Can Tell.’ There is a hint of old school Snoop to the delivery, though the tones differ for sure and the beat has just a tinge of R&B giving the smooth build a mellow vibe despite the pointed lyrical build. The combination works well, giving the listener the chance to make this track anything they want or need it to be.

The talent behind this one shows in subtle ways that lifts it above the crowded fray. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Connor Kauffman - Hate You For A Lifetime [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Nineteen year old Connor Kauffman is a self-taught and self-produced artists that is far ahead of the curve in comparison to his peers. This track is well-written and has an infectious hook that will have you singling along long after the last note. The lyric video makes it easy to stay tethered in and connected to the flow of the words.

The musical and lyrical build are perfectly balanced and created and Kauffman’s emotive delivery adds to the grip this track has over the listener. This track is radio ready and feels like an anthem we will all be quoting and singing for years to come. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Evan Blair - Sleepwalker [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Watching someone you love suffer and twist in the wind is a tough experience. Evan Blair was in such a relationship, only he was the one stuck in a bad place and despite his efforts to shake off the doldrums he remained a ‘Sleepwalker’ despite their best efforts to pull him out.

This song is his Indie Rock ode to that time and experience. There is a bit of 90’s nostalgia, but the track still feels relevant and contemporary as well. Reminded me a great deal of Weezer, with feeling overtly derivative. ”

— Travis Erwin ~LA on Lock Blogger

Rich Robbins - It's Not Your Fault [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track truly finds it heart around the :40 second mark, but the writing and passionate delivery of the flow make it engaging right from the start.

Rich Robbins takes on toxic masculinity with this well-written song. The creativity and shifting sounds does conjure up comparisons to Tyler the Creator, but the groove of this track adds a musical vibe that not many track manage to pull off.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Marcey Yates - Shitte Dae [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It could have been a shitty day, but I won’t let it ... so says the intro and chorus of this track.

Marcey Yates takes an attitude and mindset and pours it into lyrical form here on this track. ‘Shitte Dae’ is a mood, and a groove, and through several listens it held me and kept me leaning in to feel these lyrics and remind myself my own outlook plays an outsized role in what kind of day I’m going to have.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Anjulie - Big Bad World [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Anjulie is a Canadian singer/songwriter and performer that possesses the power to hook her listeners and keep them invested in whatever she is singing. ‘Big Bad World’ is a slow building Electro Pop track with lyrical power tp go along with the wide ranging and talented vocals. The comfort of the performance stands in contrast to assertions that the world is at war and a scary place. The juxtaposition makes for engaging art. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dan Miraldi - Are We Gonna Hang Out? [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This just might be my favorite pandemic inspired song. A Punk anthem capsulizing the angst, hope, and longing of Covid inspired loneliness, ‘Are We Gonna Hang Out?” from New York rocker, Dan Miraldi delivers an edge and rawness that sweeps the listener up and along with the track’s progression.

There is a bit of Punk roots to the sound, but still a nice Commercial driven quality that makes this track transcend any one genre and feel like a true rock and Roll banger and a song for the times.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rachel Bochner - hating myself in the summer [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I like the fact this otherwise light and airy Pop track takes on a complex personal issue such as body image. Rachel Bochner captures the anxiety and fear that summer time and swimsuit season brings on for a lot of people. Her vocal tone is engaging and the writing pointed, without ever slipping into a heavy handed kind of message.

This is a nice entertaining track, with something vital to say. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dominic DiTommaso - Long Haired Hippie [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“The piano intro is peaceful as it leads into the soulful vocals of Dominic DiTommaso. Dominic’s new single “Long Haire Hippie” is about falling in love with someone who most expensive gift is their heart. This song is pure jazz and soul together. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Kill My Coquette - L.A.'s Gonna Tear You Apart [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kill My Coquette unleashes this track which sounds like the Go-Go’s meets Foo Fighters with a hearty bit of of the Ramones influencing it all.

’L.A.’s Gonna Tear You Apart,’ is a high energy Punk track that motivates you and pisses you off a the same time. Which is pretty much what all quality Punk should do.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Adeline x Joshua J - Eternity [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is not an easy one to categorize as there is a little bit of of Funk, some soul, a hint of R&B, and all of it comes with good a blend of retro and new vibes.

Adeline gives us a groove and a ride here that is easy to fall in and stay with for the duration. ‘Eternity’ captures the sentiments of summer, and especially this summer, very nicely. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

AJ Smith - Double Vaxxed [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Hot Vax Summer, finally has an anthem!

AJ Smith drops this catchy track that at times reminded me of Jack White, and of Prince at others. This track is simply fun and energetic and well-written in a punny and ironic sort of way that works, because it mirrors the times we are in.

The world might not have known it needed a ‘Double Vaxxed’ Electro Pop song, but now that it’s here ... we clearly all needed this release. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Confetti - Boring [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We are transitioning out of a difficult time for all of us and people are restless and sick of isolation. ‘Boring,’ from Confetti, takes those stuck feelings of being trapped and our desires to venture out and find some excitement and fun and turns them into a fun track. The song delivers a poppish, almost Reggae vibe at times that gives this track an chantlike feel to its hook and makes it feel like a true anthem for the times.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CAROLINE - Special [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lyrically, this track is simply dazzling while also being dazzlingly simple.

The honest, straight forward approach to the writing is refreshing and the vocal tone is light and airy in a Pop kind of way, even as the lyrics have a bit of darkness or at least sarcastic wit. The juxtaposition makes the track all the the more interesting and makes me want to listen over and over again to pick up on every last nuance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger