Downupright - We're Doomed, We're Dancing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“We tend to feature one song at a time here at LA on Lock but every once in awhile a project comes our way that can’t really be broken down into those bite sized bites and still articulate the particular artist’s passion and talent. Downupright has given us such a project with ‘We’re Doomed, We’re Dancing.’

Call this one a Hip-Hop Rave for the end times of you want, but this collection of sixty, on-minute tracks to usher us through to the other side, is more than the sum of its parts. This is a statement and a collection that really digs and and deliver something new and fresh without going to far around the bend. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eden Rain - Closer [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“dEen Rain delivers an emotive and powerful performance on her single, ‘Closer.’ The track deals with grief and helping a friend make through to to the other side.

The vocal tone of this track makes you feel every word, and the build is engaging as the emotions are tangible in every line. The early sound feels almost like Americana, though the track transcends into more of a emotional Pop track halfway through.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Parker Lane - MAGIC [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written for his children, because he doesn’t get to see and spend as much time with them as he would like, ‘MAGIC’ is a track of love and hope that will ring true for anyone missing someone and longing for a reunion.

Parker Lane shows off his vocal chops with this emotive and uplifting track that soars on the currents of the human condition.

A true feel good song!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Slander x Trivecta - A Better World (ft. Chris Howard) [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Slander teams up with Trivecta and Chris Howard to create this uplifting Future Bass track.

’A Better World’ is a clean and direct kind of track that feeds the soul with positivity. I can see the track as the backing for a movie montage, or it is a nice addition to a motivational playlist to get you inspired and ready to take on the world. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

June - Not The Guy Of My Dreams [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“June unleashes this angsty Pop track. The Houston native offers emptive vocals that reveal both subtle anger and vulnerably. ‘Not The Guy Of My Dreams’ feels very human and genuine in emotion and energy and it is the kind of track that will wrap around and be a warm hug to those going thorough similar emotions. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Whitney Lyman - Floating [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Whitney Lyman has a sound that would have been a great fit back in the Lilith Fair days thought hat is not to say her emotional delivery isn’t welcome addition to today’s musical landscape. Strong writing and emotive vocals delivered in a clean and gripping tone is a timeless sound that fits in any era and Lyman delivers both here on ‘Floating.’ ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Amp Melo - Hoop Dreamz [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Amp Melo gives us an old school Boom Bap style track honoring the ‘Hoop Dreamz’ many of us had back in the day. Sadly, reality usually comes knocking on the door for most of us, but that nostalgia, for the time when anything felt possible keeps us all thinking about the what ifs. This track is the soundtrack for that, and the smooth groove makes it a song you can jam to alone or with a group.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Julia Logan - Top of the World [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Swedish songstress, Julia Logan taps into the emotional toll that change and growth brings about within us. Logan grew up on a small island near Stockholm, but also spent time in Southern California thanks to family roots there, and that dreamy West Coast vibe certainly makes an appearance here.

’Top of The World’ has a haunting undercurrent that keeps the listener leaning in on tender hooks. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Daimo Dunkin - Posies [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Daimo Dunkin doe a great job of honoring the old school era of Hip-Hop and infusing contemporary emotions and ideas into this hard hitting track.

’Posies’ is a hype track, but not in the traditional sense as it does the job of motivating with low-key grit and resolve rather than through hyper boasts and hard beats. The production behind the flow adds to the grime of determination on the track, and the flow is unrelentless in its emotive power.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

stew - Diorama [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Delivering a raw, singer /songwriter type track, ‘Diorama’ showcases stew’s talent and emotive power. The writing is sharp, and the performance drips with feeling.

This track is about those well-intentioned friends and family often think they know what’s best for us.

When you are an artist, chasing what can be viewed as an impossible dream to the nondreamers of the world, those manipulations and comments from others only intensify as they “suggest’ what you should be doing what your life more freely.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Conflict Choir - The Real Thing [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Conflict Choir nailed it when they described their new single, ‘The Real Thing,’ as ... it’s like Soundgarden had a jam with Jeff Buckley.

The single has a hanting timeless quality and there are hints of multiple decades in the song. From the 70’s on up to today this UK band doesn’t feel derivative but rather like an evolution, and I can’t wait to hear more from this talented band. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Trapper Schoepp - Meet Me at the End of the World [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The best songs transcend time and genre. Trapper Schoepp gives us that kind of timeless offering with ‘Meet Me at the End of The World.’
The track is his homage to a mentor and in that regard I’ll defer to Schoepp’s own words about this track ....

This upbeat indie rocker was written by NYC musician Jesse Malin and Mexican-American songwriter Alejandro Escovedo. Jesse is a mentor of mine and recently had a spinal stroke. This song is a benefit for him and it’d mean a lot if you’d consider it. He’s paralyzed and getting stem cell research. I am touring across EU now, singing this feel good song and raising funds for his recovery. This song is hitting radio airwaves here now! Thank you for taking a listen to this song! ❤️

You can learn more Jesse Malin and his story at this ROLLING STONE ARTICLE here: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/jesse-malin-stroke-healthcare-fund-1234770111/”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Johnny Orlando - Vegas [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Johnny Orlando is poised to take the reins from Beiber as Canada’s reining Pop king. His latest single, ‘Vegas’ shows his vocal range and depth of emotion. The track is an affirmation of love and will no doubt find its way into many a playlist dedicated to love and infatuation. The song has a self-aware, sensual feel as well as a vulnerability that comes though in Orlando’s talented performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ice Meez - My Moment [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Ice Meez knows how to sell the emotion and feeling of his well-written lyrics and once again delivers an impactful song for our listening pleasure.

’My Moment’ is a track that delivers truth and hope, without ignoring the difficult realties of this world we all face. The song has grit and genuine emotion, and Meez’s flow is delivered with an emotive power. The chorus adds a smooth groove that breaks that up perfectly to give the track a nice balance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BOY LOCO - Slow Dancing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“BOY LOCO delivers a nice, smooth track that emotes a nostalgic brand of reminiscences and motivates your heart to open up and feel. For me the track has a hint of regret, stemming from doubt that maybe the narrator did not hold onto the relationship the way they should have. Or perhaps there was a loss that ended things. Of course others may take this track as more of a post date type euphoria in that the singer simply cannot wait to get back together with their person for some slow dancing.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bshortt - Sushi At Mikuni [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bshortt gives us some true Rap fusion on this track. Utilizing a Latin inspired beat and melody, the track ranges from a soulful R&B groove in the quieter moments, to an Old-School rap delivery that gives the listener retro vibes.

’Sushi at Mikuni’ takes the listener for a joyride on the back of a strong and confident flow that both cuts and soothes as it builds. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cece Benz - End Us [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is about regret and love. Often, regrets over love come from not taking that shot, but this track is about not breaking up with you know the relationship is not for you. It is about the regret of fighting for something you don’t even want in the first place.

Cece Benz has artfully written every word to give this track a literary story feel that not many songwriters can pull off as effectively as ‘End Us’ does.

The great writing here makes the listener personally invested right form the beginning.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

That Brunette - birthday boi [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“That Brunette gives us a track of nostalgia and societal defiance. An anthem of sorts against the norms, ‘birthday boi’ is about celebrating with that one friend you can be your true self with and forget the world is out there raging around you while you do.

This song lyrically feels like a teen movie from the 80s but the Electro Pop edge is decidedly modern and the combo is a great way to show that some things and emotions never change even if the world around us does. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lui Peng - Otherside [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lui Peng deliver a pure Pop sound that has a Ed Sheeran meets the Weeknd vibe for me. ‘Otherside’ is an emotional love song that will no doubt make its way to a lot of shared playlists and dedications.

Coming with a nice emotive energy and upbeat tempo the track has a feel good side to go with the romantic vulnerability. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bex - Did I Do Something Wrong? [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bex deliver the kind of vocal power and emotiveness that is rare individually but all the more so when found in tandem.

’Did I Do Something Wrong?’ offers a slow emotional build and conjured imagery all on its own. This lends the track a theatrical bent that cannot be ignored but here the drama does not feel manufactured simply real and genuine.

The track has a modern Stevie Nicks vibe and could have been a Fleetwood Mac track back in the day but that is not to say it feels dated or even particularly retro. More like timeless in this case. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger