ANIKK - I Don't Wanna Lose Myself [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Twenty-three year old Swiss artist, ANIKK gives us an Alt Pop ode to co-dependency with her track, ‘I Don’t Wanna Lose Myself.’

Co-dependency gets a bad rap and I get why, but most of us find ourselves there at some point in life and when it’s good it’s great. Of course the wheels an come off at anytime and that is always scary.

The blend of emotions from such an intense relationship, vulnerability, hope, faith, love, lust, fear, and joy are all lurking here on this artful track and the performance makes you feel every last one of them.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bllaine x Jaime Deraz - Save Me In Your Heart [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A light, energetic track that feels like the kind of song that can make a big summer splash. The tones shine and sparkle and the vocals bring an optimistic warmth that all combine to make this feel like one of those warm summer evenings where anything is possible.

The duo of Bllaine and Jaime Deraz bring this one to life in a tangible way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dayna Reid - This House [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This track from Canadian artist, Dyna Reid leans more into the Mainstream Country sound than I usually connect with, though her rich vocal tone and earnest lyrics kept me invested in the build. ‘This House’ doesn’t break a ton of new ground, though it is delivered with solid talent and rises above the fray by feeling genuine and honest which has long been the bastion of good Country music.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Garrett Zoukis - Senses [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The writing and premise of this track captivated me from the start. LA rapper Garrett Zoukis delivers this one with a steady low-key flow that did leave me craving an escalation, but still managed to hold my attention and focus despite that rising sense being absent from the track.

’Senses’ is about the way our five senses shape our memories of a person and how any one of them can conjure those memories back to the forefront of our minds. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

TRiiiPSS - Space Baby [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a smooth groove and funky beat, TRiiiPSS launches their new single ‘Space Baby.’ Lyrically the track is about those out of the world feelings of love and admiration. New love is glorious and it is easy to view the person of your desire as being from another planet as they feel that rare and special. This track captures that in a delightful way with steady vocals and a musical groove that is easy to orbit around. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Òlah Bliss - Holy [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written from the viewpoint of the down and out, this track is dark and brooding, but also about hope and the escape from rock bottom. Òlah Bliss infuses a vulnerability in the talented vocal delivery, and the music adds another layer to the emotions of this song with nuance and power.

’Holy’ was shaped by the artist’s own religious leanings, but the track is not overtly preachy and will appeal to the secular minded as well.”

— Travis Erwin ~LA on Lock Blogger

Joh Chase - Avalanche [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“The video here did not add much for me, but then again it didn’t need to because the songwriting and performance is though evoking and provocative enough to carry me forward.

Some things just hit hard instantly, and that was the case for me. on this song. For those needing a comparison, there is a hint of Brandi Carlile, more in the talented defiance and writing than the vocal tone. ‘Avalanche’ is a track that will bury you in the best possible ways. The emotions, the nuance, the strong vocals and emotive power.

If I had to label this one I’d call it Americana, but good, no great, music transcends genre and this track did that for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ships Have Sailed - Find My Way [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The track has that light energetic vibe of artists such as One Republic or Mumford & Sons. There is a Folksy brand of Pop to the sound that is uplifting in nature. The gist of ‘Find My Way’ is about living your best life and taking the opportunities as they come because you never truly know wha tthe future entails.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ambrosius - Hollywood Babeism [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Chasing the Hollywood dream quite often turns into a bit of a nightmare for most. Ambrosius has some fun with that as well as the lore of history in their single ‘Hollywood Babeism.’

Taking their cue from the Pixies musically, this Oslo based group gives us a unique tongue-in-cheek retelling of their own pursuit for some of that California gold. The overall result is a classic rock sound that reminded me of Queen, Springsteen, and Petty at different junctures of the track.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

UraelB - Dirty Toothbrush [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There are glossy tracks, songs that hit with energy, and of course those with lyrical hooks that impale the masses. Then there are the songs that eschew the trappings of most popular music and simply give you pure, emotional truth.

UraelB does exactly that with ‘Dirty Toothbrush.’ Some might compare the style to Kendrick Lamar, but there is nothing derivative here on this track. The power comes from tapping into the memories of the soul, and the hope of tomorrow’s dreams. ”

— Travis Erwin ~LA on Lock Blogger

Dover Lynn Fox - Winter Son [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Winter is a time of darkness both literallya nd figuratively with seasonal depression gripping many. But all dark times pass and Dover Lynn Fox gives a track of transition to take us fromt he dark bleakness to a time of light and understanding with her track ‘Winter Son.’

The emotive vocals soar and carryt he emotional burden of a lifetime as well as a season of darkness, but in the end this track is one of hope and brightness.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Elesia Iimura, O.T x Busta Rhymes - Chooky [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Few things transcends borders the way music can. Elesia limura and O.T are joined by Busta Rhymes on this track.

’Chooky’ is the kind of track that spurns slang to the new level so don’t be surprised when this slang from down under catches fire and you hear the word ‘Chooky’ used by music lovers across the globe.

The groove here is infectious as it combines a smooth delivery and flow with the trademark growl we’ve come to expect from Busta Rhymes.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Yung Gravy - Mozzarella (ft. Lil Keed) [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Yung Gravy brings his wry lyrical wit and irreverent vocal style that his fans have come to expect on ‘Mozzarella.’ Joined on the track by Lil Keed, the flows sync and help bring this one to life. The hard beat and cadence make it easy to start bouncing and joining in once you know the words.

I won’t say this is my favorite Yung Gravy track, but still a fun one I will be listening to for a good long while.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Limandi - Put The Blame On Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Limandi put her spin on toxic relationships with her track, ‘Put The Blame On Me.’

Emotional abuse comes in many forms and constantly blaming the other person is certainly one of those. Told anything often enough you just might start to believe it and shaking off that cloak of self-loathing can be tough. This exotic and intricate arrangement matches the sort of disarray or minds mist go through to emerge on the other side a new and stronger person.

Limandi delivers this track in a sort of subdued control that sells the emotions well. There are Pop and songwriter vibes with hints of a brooding brand of dark Folk as well but the song is a tough one to categorize as anything beyond a talented worthy effort well worth your time.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mezna - Bullets [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Emotive passion is the earmark of the vocal delivery on ‘Bullets.’ There are hints of Ed Sheeran and John Legend early on here here as the emotionally charged track offers strong instrumentation. The addition of a second set of vocals elevates the song to new heights and her tender delivery drives home to longing anguish of this track. The back and forth dialogue is heart wrenching and oh so captivating. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kurt Lee Wheeler - Girl From California (Acoustic) [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Starting over is never easy and in this track about losing yourself for the purpose of reinviting who you are, Kurt Lee Wheeler tell the story of a girl running from her past. The emotion and pain is evident in the delivery and this Folksy track tell a tale we can all relate to on some level. Stripepd downa dn bare this one resonates best as a solo endeavor to allow your brain to truly listen and process.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dot. - Girls Night [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track unfurls like a sultry dreamscape. There is a retro vibe to the vocal style and build but at times the track has a more modern Pop edge and the infusion of the two in conjunction with the talented vocal performance held my intrigue for the full ride.

’GIrls Night’ is a fun ride and Dot. is the voice we need to lead a multicultural dance party. This time it just happens to be a nice slow song to hold the one you love tight as you let the song soak in. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sav DaBrain - Reading Books [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sav DaBrain unfurls this lyrical flow with a steady precision and a sophisticated intelligence that stands out among the fray of music out there being released. The hook is melodic and the overall groove of this rhythm sweeps the listener up and in. And the tender guitar outtro offered a great way to ease out, giving the track a nice completion that many tracks today lack.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Maxine Linehan - This Time of Year [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The song has a nice yet sad ballad. The holidays can be tough but Maxine Linehan turns her memories into a song. When the vocal range changes it pulls you in more with her emotions. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Hillside Outlaws- Christmas Without You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“You don’t know what to expect when Hillside Outlaws starts off with the guitar strings. However, the break down the moments that matter the most about Christmas with someone. The song doesn’t sound sad or depressing it sounds raw in memories. Anyone listening will flashback to all the memories they have about Christmas with that special someone. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]