ILIRA - Clean Break [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An energetic Electro Pop track with strong Commercial vibes, ‘Clean Break’ is a track that pays homage to Roxette, Ace of Base and the sound of decades past, while still having a fresh contemporary Pop feel as well. ILIRA has the energy and vocal chops to hook the listener and there is that extra spirit and energy to truly make the track stand out from the fray.

Raised in a small Swiss town by Kosovo-Albanian parents, ILIRA struggled to find her place in an environment with clashing cultures. Citing a wide set of musical influences from Nirvana to Rihanna as her first major muses, ILIRA developed a rebellious middle- finger-wagging attitude at a very young age, shaping her into the artist that she is today. ILIRA began cutting her teeth on the live stage in various talent shows on Albanian and Swiss TV, all the while writing songs to beats she had purchased online and posting clips of these songs to Instagram. Flash forward to a move to Berlin, Sony Music Germany snap ILIRA up and she begins penning catchy pop tracks in LA and London. She reached #1 on the German Airplay Charts with her hit collaboration “FADING.” ILIRA rounded of the year with upbeat cuts such as EXTRA FR!ES and PAY ME BACK!, and is currently in the studio honing her debut album.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CELIIN - Joker [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“What if James Bond were a dark-minded cabaret showgirl?

That was the question artist, CELIIN posed in her submission and it really does sum up this intriguing track. Sultry and brooding. Sexy and sad all at the same time the talent is evocative in all the best ways.

This is a track that ages well and is all the more intriguing with each and every listen. A must add to any playlist with a quirky and definite mood creating vibe. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock

Bad Flamingo - I Won't Let You Die Young [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Few bands can capture the level of allure and intrigue that Bad Flamingo does with their sound. Sure the masks they wear play part of the role in the imagery but the sound and songwriting are every bit as much to do with the mystery and intrigue. landing somewhere between Americana and Indie Rock this duo routinely delivers an outlaw aura of loneliness and desperation that translates into engaging and thought provoking songs. ‘I Won’t Let You Die Young’ ads to their catalogue of strong lyrics and mood setting tones.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tommy Alexander - Feelings [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Tommy Alexander is a songwriter first and foremost, but that is not to say he doesn’t have the vocal talent and passion to deliver the words he writes. There are Springsteen and Johnny Cash vibes in the delivery and the emotion is palpable in both the words and performance. We as humans all have a myriad of complex ‘Feelings’ coursing through us, and we don’t always understand where they came from, but still we must deal with them. This track does a great job of taking that complex set of thoughts and distilling them into an entertaining and thought-provoking track. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alle The Dreamer - Lonely Hallucinations [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A track for the daydreamer in all of us. Life has a way of slipping by faster than we’d like, and this song takes on that dynamic as well as our own aspirations and dreams of what we wish everyday life was compared to what it is.

A dreamscape Pop vibe permeates with a touch of Lorde and Billie Eilish in the overall vocal sound and style. That said, Alle The Dreamer certainly brings a unique tone and delivery that stands our from those artists as well as the fray.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Winners [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Estella Dawn has the kind of sultry and inviting vocal style that is timeless and easy to fall all the way in on right from the start. This track has a slow build but it comes with an intriguing build that holds the listener close. Lyrically, the track holds surprises and there is nuance to dig in on that will keep you coming back time and time again. ‘Winners’ is a vibe that grips you hard. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eddie Island - Honey (You Said Love) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A folksy track with Pop sensibilities. A bit like Mumford meets Springsteen with a light airy tone and build that makes it easy to emotional connect with the track. Eddie Island lets the writing soar with a joyous tone and band vocal build that matches the musical vibes of the track. This is the kind of song that delivers the power to change your mood and lift your spirit. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Whethan - Fall Out Girl [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A collaboration between 23-year-old electronic DJ and producer, Whethan and Florida-based rapper, Zai1k, “Fall Out Girl,” is a high-energy, feel-good track that comes alive right from the start.

’Zai and I linked up in Miami and made a bunch of cool ideas. ‘Fall Out Girl’ was inspired by the Miami lifestyle and is a perfect sunny drive with the top back, a pop hit to blast til’ the neighbors knock.’ -Whethan

The combination of artistic talents here works well and every element adds to the listener’s engagement of the track. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bedouin Soundclash - Walk Through Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a tough track to put a label on. Reggae? Pop Punk? American? There are elements of all three, but no matter what you call the genre, Bedouin Soundclash has given us an infectious track that burrows its way deep down in your soul. “Walk Through Fire” stuck with me through multiple listens and I found myself singing along long after the track had ended. This is one that will continue to impress no matter how many times you listen. A fun, energetic build and easy to join in chorus makes it a clear hit in my eyes. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Elodie Rêverie - LA Love [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Elodie Rêverie stands out in a way that few artists are able to achieve. From the first notes to the distinct vocal tone, she manages to stamp her mark right fromt he start. We have featured a handful of her tracks her at LA on Lock as an adoptive daughter of the LA music scene, she has carved out a definite place in the musical landscape with her distinctive vocals and strong songwriting. “LA Love” adds to her prowess with a energetic build and those soft emotive vocals that draw the listener deep inside the track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

8 BALL AND MJG - They Don't Love You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“They gave us a snippet during the Verzuz battle but 8 Ball and MJG are coming back with the classics. Their latest single “They Don’t Love You” is about knowing how to recognize the fake people in your life. The are staying true to their roots with the classic Memphis beat and visual location. ”

— Kreadiv K [LA On Lock Bloggers]

Francisco Martin - Narcissist [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Many of us catch ourselves being in selfish or unappealing way, and recognizing those tendencies exist helps guide us. Francisco Martin puts that perspective into song form and that gives us even more chance to reflect and realize we are not alone in this pursuit of being better each and every day. A tender vulnerable song with energy is tough to pull off but ‘Narcissist’ doe exactly that.

A fun ride!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PKAY - temporary highs [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Life is indeed a roller coaster ride of emotions, and how we handle the highs is just as important as how we face the lows. PKAY takes on that very thought with ‘Temporary Highs’ an energetic track with a node of the hat to 90s era Pop Punk.

I hear hints of No Doubt in the sound, but less of that SKA influence and a touch heavier Pop leaning. A track that will get you moving and thinking at the same time. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jelani Aswad - Death Around the Corner (DATC) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jelani Aswad single has an interesting title but an even stronger meaning.”

”Death Around the Corner” is about being so close to the end but living to see another day. The beat has a Caribbean tempo that will make you want to dance despite its lyrical context. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogge]

Trent Vine - Weed & Caviar [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Weed and Caviar is an exquisite song that will have you kicking back. Trent Vine searches for his own crowd to hang with but comes with the most needed essentials. I like the arrangement and the overall delivery. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Gina Naomi Baez - skyline [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Gina Naomi Baez is a successful actor and multi-talented artist. Her latest track, ‘skyline’ is about finding and holding on to positivity even when life turns dark and tumultuous. A slow building and emotional delivery holds the listener tight and well-written lyrics keep the intrigue and attachment at peak levels. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

S-X - His Problem Now [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A soulful Pop groove, ‘His Problem Now’ is an emotional ode to moving on even though your heart isn’t fully in doing so. A track about trying to let go when you would prefer to hold on, the lyrical build is honest and vulnerable and the good bye is both heartfelt and gut wrenching.

I could see this track leading to a few reconciliations if the breakup wasn’t too harsh to begin with but either way the emotions are relatable for many of us. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Charlie John - All I Know [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The mixture of instruments glides you into the song. Charlie John latest single “All I know” is an emotional track that allows one to be aware of their feelings and the affect it has on others. The cool pop track is about love and heartbreak with an energetic tempo.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Delilah Blower - This Ain't Love - [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The vocal tone carries a bit of Amy Winehouse, but the groove and build feels more like ZZ Ward. Either way, Delilah Blower is her own artist and certainly delivers the it factor right from the start.

”This Ain’t Love’ is the kind of track that sinks its hooks in deeper and deeper as you listen, and that sticks with you long after the final note has faded from your ears.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Elle Baez Pretty - Insecurities [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sometimes we just want to be ourselves but even when we do that people still have something to say. They are going to talk about what we wear, how we take a photo, social media was suppose to be fun yet it’s draining. Elle Baez “Pretty Insecurities” is about people caring more about the outside than the inside.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]