Sir Echo - Raven [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Blurring the lines of Punk, Alternative and Emo Rock, Sir Echo has a retro vibe that at times feels like the Bangles in a blender. ‘Raven’ is about the battle between fantasized or romanticized versions of a person, and the reality that they come with a complex history and set of flows just like every other person.

Love might be blind, but eventually every relationship is tested by reality and here those ideas take flight thanks to dark wings and thrumming guitar strings. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Natalie Prauser - East Texas [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you think Country Music is defined by the glossy, superficial pablum cranked out of Mainstream Nashville then you probably have no idea of the wide ranging talent that is keeping the traditional sound alive all across the country. Texas is no doubt the hub for Independent artists to not only honor the traditional sound but push it forward and Natalie Prauser is one of those genuine voices doing exactly that.

’East Texas’ offers a lonesome, down on your heels vibe. A classic drinking, or thinking, or simply living in reality song that resonates with heartfelt emotion.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bad Flamingo - Devil and the Deep Blue [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bad Flamingo is a duo I have frequently shared here at LA on Lock and ‘Devil and the Deep Blue’ continues their genre bending air of mystique. I’ll call it American for lack of a better alternative but this power duo refuse to be clearly defined in anyway and that is certainly part of the charm. This track has that dangerous spaghetti western vibe the band often exudes with a Rock and Roll edge that can’t be denied. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CrashMonkeys - Control [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“CrashMonkeys are a bit of a throwback but I hesitate to call their sound Retro because the writing and delivery certainly has a contemporary edge. That said this is old school Rock and Roll with a down low dirtiness that lets you know they won’t acquiesce to outside forces for the sake of an extra buck. This is art with a serrated blade. Enjoy the cut. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BMB Mann - FWM [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A smooth backing track and a steady flow gives this track a groove that is easy to fall in and connect with. BMB Mann introduces himself with this lyrical flow and the talent shines in not only the emotional strength of the writing, but is also evident in the timing and pace of the delivery. A track that hints of a lot more to come from this talented artist and I can’t wait to hear what’s next.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alex Marzejon - Songs About Girls [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“From Jolene to Roxanne, and of course California Girls in general there are plenty of songs about feminine charm and their effect on those who know them. This track is a bit of an ode to all of them. Delivered in an emotive singer/songwriter style reminiscent of Ed Sheeran, but Alex Marzejon stand on his own talent and delivery style giving him a unique and talented voice in the musical landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jake Thistle - Ghosted Road [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There is a haunting loneliness to Jake Thistle’s single, ‘Ghosted Road’ and the emotive delivery brings that element out very well. That said, the writing is every bit as strong and the entre track paints a scene and mood as well as anything I’ve heard recently. Roads and loneliness certainly are not new fodder for songwriters, but Thistle manages to put his own stamp on the sound and themes and I can’t wait to hear more from this talented artist.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Wake The Wild - Need Your Love [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Wake The Wild does a great job of straddling that line between fresh contemporary sound and a classic retro sound. ‘Need Your Love’ builds slow like a 90s R& B track but backs the build with a rhythmic Electro Pop beat that still reminded me of the Weeknd at times. An emotional build and strong arrangement makes this track shine in a subdued emotional kind of way. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Isabella Kensington - What We Had [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Isabella Kensington has the kind of emotive voice that emotionally hooks a listener with a scant few words. Couple that with strong, emotional writing and this upcoming artists is one with the talent to soar. I suppose an emotive female artists singing from the heart is always going to draw Taylor Swift comparisons, but for me Kensington certainly has her own edge and sound that makes her stand out on her own and “What We Had’ is a single that I expect to stand the test of time.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Stephen Flickner - Spark Up [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Stephen Flickner drops this track about finding your spark of life when that one you desire is coming over. The track has a nice vibe and energy and I was left wanting more which is a good thing though I think the track could have taken the emotions and story a bit further with an added verse here. That said, the hook stayed in my head long after each listen and overall this is a track I get get down to more than once which is what I look for in the songs I cultivate for my playlists. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Goshok - On My Mind [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is a Commercial leaning EDM single with elements of various Electronic genres as well as some Pop sensibilities. Goshok is a rising star and the Indie artist hopes to be come the first Czech artist to grace the mainstage at the largest music festivals int he world and with songs like ‘On My Mind’ it is easy to believe he will achieve those dreams sooner rather than later. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sam Marks - Wash Over Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We all have our moments of despondence and despair, and this track captures those emotions with talent and precision. Sam Marks delivers ‘Wash Over Me’ with a soulful emotive brand of despair that blends perfectly with the musical arrangement and sound. The track offers a deliberate and definite vibe and is the kind of song that is perfect to listen to on those dark, lonely night of melancholy while clutching a glass filled with a strong beverage.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bluphoria - Set Me Up [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With a sound that reminded me of The Rolling Stones meets Coldplay, Bluphoria drops the energetic Alt-Rock track, ‘Set Me Up.’ The lyrical hook is one you will be singing along with after the first chorus and with every subsequent listen you give the track. The vocal energy and emotion shine and instill a sense of attachment that carried me forward for the duration of the track.

Can’t wait to hear more from Bluphoria as the sound and talent to keep building and carve a definite place in the Alt Pop musical landscape.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ishan - Impact [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With a head nod to the Golden Age of Hip-Hop, Ishan drops his track, ‘Ishan.’ The flow hits steady and hard with just enough variation to bring the lines to life. The writing has punch and the beat hits an Old School vibe through out thought he track still manages to sound contemporary and hard edged. Ishan brings an intensity and passion which keeps the intrigue alive even without a pure, hype style hook.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nicky Romero x Philip Strand x DubVision - Stay A Little Longer [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nicky Romero is back after a string of hit singles. This much anticipated collaboration with DubVision and singer/songwriter Philip Strandis poised to add to his library of stellar House singles.

The single is melodic and grounded in a progressive root style that p[airs well alongside the strong vocals and nuanced build. ‘Stay A Little Longer’ has that big stage feel and euphoria you will find in the electricity of a big festival crowd. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

CARØLINA - I want it now [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Compulsions are a tough thing to fight and when they stem from lust or love the complex array of emotions are even harder to fight. This track from CARØLINA delves into just that with a Amy Winehouse/ZZ Ward kind of soulful groove that adds a sultry vibe. A slow burn that cranks up the heat in deliberate fashion. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

April Jai - Not Like The Movies [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“True love is one of the toughest things to find and can feel like an impossible fairytale at times. Books, movies, and well-meaning friends offer all kinds of advice and theories but there are no rules to love and this track captures that feeling with perfection.

April Jai describes her song ‘Not Like The Movies’ as ... the confused hopeless romantic single girl anthem you need to scream in the car with all of your friends ... and that description is dead on accurate.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

JackKane - Something More - [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jack Kane toes the line between genres with his track ‘Something More.’ The songwriting is strong and the performance emotive so that makes it tempting to call this a coffeehouse singer/songwriter type of track, but the melody has an energy and edge that feels closer to Springsteen in nature and then there are the subtle Americana vibes that the entire package puts off.

Call the song what you will, but make sure to add it to your playlists and feel the emotion for yourself. You will indeed feel something more. More than most music manages to convey and that is a very good thing. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Love Hounds - Lazy Boy [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Punk Country? Yes it is, but there is nothing here that feels anything like the Corporate Mainstream Country most associate with Nashville. Instead Love Hounds, unleashes more of an Outlaw Country sound mixed with heavy Punk influence to give ‘Lazy Boy’ both an edge and a storytelling quality that lands in between genres. But make no mistake, this is not so much a niche type track as it is one that takes the best elements of various genres and turns them into a unique, but broad appeal.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alisa Xayalith - Devil I Know [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Alisa Xayalith steps out from her role as frontwoman of New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous and takes the emotional forefront all alone on her first solo project. “Devil I know’ is a Pop track with strong songwriting and of course stellar vocal talent. The track is insightful in it’s approach to how our minds and hearts work to move us forward through life and relationships.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger