Lauren Rintoul - Lost Art [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lauren Rintoul takes us on a breakup journey though this isn’t necessarily a track about heart break and the ache afterward as much as it is the guilt and uncertainty of being the one to end it and wondering if you did the right thing.

’Lost Art’ is an emotive and honest look at knowing you aren’t in love but also wanting to be a good decent person and handle the break up in the right way. Delivered in a tender, singer/songwriter kind of way the song is easily relatable.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Glo Laila - Deal [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The rhythm of the beat hit me first and then Glo Laila’s soft and vulnerable vocals took over as the driving force of the track. ‘Deal’ is a relationship song that puts the prospect of love on legal terms with a contract and set of rules that unfortunately rarely if ever applies toa affairs of the heart. And the realization that there are no guarantees in love ahs left us all feeling as vulnerable as this track feels. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ La on Lock Blogger

Mati - Life Notes [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track from Mati is exactly what the title says it is — ‘Life Notes.’ Delivered in a smooth easy groove about the ebbs and flows of life and the emotions we all deal with on a day to day basis the track simply hits.

I’m tempted to call this easy listening Hip-Hop, but only because it is delivered in a calm, steady flow that is easy to fall in on. Some might confuse the term easy-listening for boring elevator music, but this track is anything but boring. It is real and genuine and speaks straight to the human condition. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Filippa Borgman - Broken Man & A Shoe [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Written in the height of Covid lockdowns amid a landscape of widespread global depression, Filippa Borgamn gives us a story of sorrow that rings not only as plausible, but outright believable.

’Broken Man & A Shoe’ takes elements from Elton John, Folk, and Pop to create a track that is as full of life as it is sadness. This is a song of the human condition created by a talented artist that transcends any one genre or style to create an artful and meaningful emotional response.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Killa Kid - Don't Do That (feat. Dar’Neisha) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“When Killa Kid comes in with his flow the passion, anger, intensity, and confidence all land with a deliberate force to fully impact the listener. The backing vocals set up those emotions well on this track about keeping it real when those who once talked shit and hated on your dream come slithering out once you find success as if they’ve been there by your side all along.

’Don’t Do That’ holds this brand of coward accountable for their BS and the intensity of the delivery will have you feeling it deep inside your chest.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ben Alexander x Arya - Rush [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Electro R&B anyone?

Okay, so that isn’t exactly an official genre, but if it was ‘Rush’ from Ben alexander and Arya would top the charts right now. With a smooth, almost early 90s synth vibe, and a classic R&B vocal groove the track blends not only genres, but eras of music and still somehow feels contemporary and fresh in doing so. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Omar Rudberg - She Fell In Love In The Summer [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“ Swedish songsmith, Omar Rudberg might not be on your radar yet, but he should be. ‘She Fell In Love That Summer’ is songwriting at its best, an emotional movie unfurled in under three minutes.

The delivery is emotive and powerful and sweeps the listener up and along. There are a million love inspired songs, so it is never easy to create another that takes you for the same up and down ride relationships often do, but Rudberg has certainly delivered on this track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Aiida - Stupid Perfect [music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Aiida unleashes a Pop gem with ‘Stupid Perfect.’ The energetic track is about second guessing a new love as that initial phase of euphoria slides into a warped brand of logic where you begin to ask yourself ... is this real? What am I missing? Nobody is this nice all the time.

Call it the Too Good To Be True Syndrome in musical form. And Aiida deliver the track with a fun tempo and melodic build that almost contradicts the mind games she’s plating on herself with self doubt. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kriswitak - MAYBE IM TOO HIGH [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Most of us have had to hit pause and wonder out loud ... “Maybe I’m Too High,” ourselves at some point in our life. This track is the soundtrack for all those moments. The delivery hits with solid timing and an emotive tone but this really is like a conversation with a friend when both of you are just a little bit, or maybe a lot of bit, messed up. A fun track for fun times. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Vicetone - Dopamine Junkie (feat. Ben Samama) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We all have a bit of ‘Dopamine Junkie’ in us, because we are all chasing those good feelings. This track about the gratifying high of discovering that perfect song that speaks to out heart and soul.

The production here is clean, and while the build is fairly subdued for the genre, the track does indeed take the listener on a ride. The vocals are in perfect balance with the beat and build making this a well rounded track that is easy to connect with. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Roots of Creation - Oh Lord [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Cali Reggae at its best!

Roots of Creation are a vibe, and their latest single, ‘Oh Lord’ will take you straight to church. No, not that kind of church. I am talking about the kind of spiritual engagement that goes beyond the walls of any institution and delves into the groove and rhythm of life.

This is the kind of track you jam riding solo, or while stoking an ember on your way to enlightenment. Or you can blast it with friends and all sing along. Either way you will be happy listening. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

TFM King P - Ouuuu [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“TFM King P is repping the Midwest with his sound and energy. This St Louis rapper is hitting us with that ‘Ouuuu.’

Inspired by Instagram Influencers on this track, he unleashes this rapid flow with precision and a confident wit that sells the track well. Riding an infectious Trap beat and varying flow the track stays out of the steady staccato cadence that dooms so many Trap tracks to sounding exactly the same. If this track doesn’t get you moving I fear nothing will.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

sadboi - Cover You In Chocolate [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Riding a pure Pop sound, sadboi unleashes a heartfelt love song about a long-distance relationship. Fans of Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Harry Style will enjoy this sweet track called, ‘Cover You In Chocolate.’

Loving from afar is always tough, but hey, chocolate does make most things better so perhaps this track is just what such a couple needs to feel the love and connection until they can once again come together for a taste of each other.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Just Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Regular readers of these reviews are no stranger to San Diego Pop star Estella Dawn, as we have featured a handful of tracks from this rising talent. ‘Just Me’ is but the latest in a strong repertoire of songs. Utilizing two different vocal flows that play off each other and help bring out the emotions this track showcases the versatility of Dawn’s talent.

The vibe is sultry defiance and the emotions range from anger to determined resolve and all of it is performed with a genuine honesty and openness that many artists struggle to find.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

REYSHA RAMI - PL4Y [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A sultry playful build is the earmark of “PL4Y” from REYSHA RAMI. This Electro Pop track has some vintage Madonna vibes mixed with a bit of Dua Lipa inspiration.

The song is on the shorter side, though it packs a lot of energy and verve into less than two minutes. Feels like a sexual hype track in the best of ways.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Amelie Patterson - The War [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I suppose it is rather ironic, but there is a lot of great Americana music being created by Canadians these days, and Amelie Patterson certainly joins that select group. ‘The War’ has Folk and Indie Rock elements and is tough to categorize like a lot of Americana.

No doubt there will Brandi Carlile comparisons, and that is an apt similarity, but no mistake, no matter what artists served as her inspiration, Patterson is a talented and capable artist creating her own sound. Deeply emotional and brooding in the build, this is a track that I will listen to over and over again to extract every last drop of nuance and meaning.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Francis On My Mind - I'm Alright [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Francis On My Mind comes with a Pop Funk brand of energy that is impossible to not fall in on. There is just a hint of rasp in the vocals at times, and that gave me Miley vibes though nothing about ‘I’m Alright’ feels derivative. The track has a fresh, original vibe and an soaring uplifting spirit that will keep listeners coming back for repeat listens.

This song fits with so many different mindsets, that you’ll want to add it to numerous playlists.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

OnSake x Maia Malancus - Badass Girl [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“OnSake, in conjuntion with Maia Malancus traverses the line between pop and a pure EDM sound. I hear some ZZ Ward type blues lurking in the vocal tone, and the attitude drips both in the performance and the writing. ‘Badass Girl’ could be a breakup anthem or a self affirming reminder of your power and worth.

The track did drop off for me a bit on the backend and I was left craving more of that early verve, but still a single with merit.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rah-C - Everybody is Concerned [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Riding a beat and groove that soars and uplifts all on tis own, Rah-C layers in a passionate energetic flow that sweeps you into the saga that is this track. This is a hype track that will motivate and push you so a perfect add to a workout playlist or any other that you need to get you up and taking on the world. The writing is nuanced enough to give you new takes through multiple listens and keep you intrigued.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mathilde Widding - Stronger [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Mathilde Widding brings a vocal style that falls between ZZ Ward and Amy Winehouse so fans of either are likely to appreciate this engaging track.

’Stronger’ brings a soulful groove with a decided edge and tantalizing vocals that engage from the very start. Widding is a talent that will only continue to build and grow her powerful delivery so keep an ear on this rising star.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger