Kenny Sharp - Stomp & Holler (feat. Mikki Brayboy) -[Music Review]

“The track truly took off for me with the tempo shift around :35 seconds in, though the initial build was intriguing enough to hold me until the song came alive. The back and forth tempo and vocal delivery is well crafted, and the overall track is uplifting and true to the human spirit.

Kenny Sharp will certainly draw comparisons to Mumford and The Lumineers and there isn’t anything wrong with that, but this track is far from derivative so it stands on its own just fine.

The addition of Micki Brayboy adds to the talent and gives the song another layer.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shrey Panda - Conquest [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A Hip-Hop violinist out of Austin Texas, Shrey Panda is creating a very unique sound. This Instrumental track infuses Hip-Hop sensibilities with Classical music and the talent behind it pours forth like the flow of a dark mysterious river you just can’t turn away from. The track has some harder, almost Industrial tones as it builds and unfurls keeping the listener on the edge of their seat for what will come next.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Wade - Hurricane [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Wade unleashes an infectious Deep House build with his latest track, ‘Hurricane.’ If you don’t want to get up and move you just might be dead ont he inside.

The lyrics blend well witht he beat and build and while you won’t be listening to this one to uncover the deep meaning of life, you will be pulled in and invested for the entire ride as you move to that beat. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Trees and Timber - All the Best [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Trees and Timber are a vibe. Pinning a style on the sound of this track is tough, but call it Indie Rock if you must have one.

I hear Punk, Folk, Rock vibes throughout and the vocals have sort of a wry reverence to really bring them home. “All The Best’ is a glimmer of hope in a darkening world. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mallow Hill - Thinkin' Bout My Baby [Music Review

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track introduces the world to Mallow Hill as it is the band’s debut single. ‘Thinkin’ Bout My Baby’ drips with sultry Blues and the vocal tone has a bit of Winehouse over the top of a Gary Clark Jr. musical vibe.

’Thinkin’ Bout My Baby’ is about the personal growth and realization of habits formed from toxic relationships and how we all tend to slip on a pair of familiar shoes even though the damn things tend to hurt our feet. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Emma Kade - End Game [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I rarely like Pop Country offerings because straddling the fence tends to do little more than leave you with a crotch full of splinters. That said, Emma Kade, does it well on this song.

’End Game’ is a throwback of sorts to a time when artists like Shania Twain, Tricia Yearwood, and later Taylor Swift toed that line between Country emotion and Pop sound and structure. Kade has managed to achieve the same brand of engaging song with a contemporary vibe that will no doubt hold crossover appeal. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zoë Vera - Don't Make It My Fault [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Heartbreak is one of the cornerstones of songwriting, with untold songs written on the subject, and yet talented artists like Zoë Vera continue to dip into this emotional well.

’Don’t Make It My Fault’ is about love gone wrong but Vera’s manages to give us a vulnerable and tender song without delving into the anger or jaded skepticism often found in such songs. Her vocal range and emotive delivery is impressive and this song has a haunting quality that makes you want to give her a comforting hug afterward.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Julia Logan - Mirrors [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Swedish artist, Julia Logan offers this Folk Pop track that is long on heart and soul and short of unnecessary production and glitter. The style is straightforward and heartfelt.

Logan lets the emotion do the heavy lifting, though her emotive vocal talent certainly draws the listener in, making it easy to kick back and let the words and melody wash over you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tiger La Flor - hollywood cemetery [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The allure of stardom and fame has led to more than one tragic death and for some like Marilyn Monroe those deaths serve to fuel the legends and desire for everlasting mortality in the name of star power. Tiger La Flor utilizes this in her latest single, ‘hollywood cemetery.”

The track has an epic feel with hints of nostalgia sprinkled in both the lyrics and musical style. This Pop leaning track has an air of mystery and allure capturing the glory as well as the guts of a storied past.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

August Echoes - Lucky You [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Fake it until you make it is a way to get ahead professionally, but it is a poor method for finding internal happiness. And yet we all plaster on that fake smile at times and pretend we are doing just fine when we’re not.

August Echoes does a magnificent job of utilizing an upbeat musical arrangement and heavier, darker lyrics to showcase this dynamic. In a track that at first glance feels bright and cheerful, the true meaning and vibe is one of despair and uncertainty. This mirrors how many of us go through our days.

’Lucky You’ is a track with intelligence and foresight ,and if you truly listen a bit of insight into our humanity. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alana Cruz - Telescope [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Alana Cruz has a sound that could be Country, could be Pop, could be an emotional singer/songwriter expressing their vulnerability and the good thing is great music transcends those type of labels and simply speaks to people’s hearts.

’Telescope’ is that kind of song.

At times I heard Natalie Maines of the Chicks, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mack and Brandi Carlile but in the end this is simply the talented Cruz, belting out her truths as she expresses what unrequited love and the yearning brand of hope that comes along with it truly feels like.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zoe Ko - Touch Therapy [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Zoe Ko is having fun on her latest single, ‘Touch Therapy.’ This Alt Pop gem is definitely thirsty, and that seductive Pop Punk edge drives the engagement.

Ko revels in the sexuality of the track and that libidinous energy captivates. Sometimes all we need is to be touched to unlock a new new attitude this song serves as the soundtrack for that sensation.

As the most interesting man alive once said ... Stay thirsty my friends. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alex Kade x Mikara x HASHON - Metamorphosis [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“After forming an online freindship, this trio of talented artists finally got together to collaborate and create this engaging track.

’Metamorphosis’ was inspired by their collective experiences in abusive relationships and the track captures the emotions well for the genre without sacrificing the energy and builds you’d expect from a Future Bass offering such as this.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

D!V!DENT - YDYAIDM (feat. WESTSIDE BOOGIE) [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Lyrical power and a hard beat lend this track all the punch it needs. D!V!DENT is joined by WESTSIDE BOOGIE on the track and both flows hit with the force of vintage Tyson. ‘YDYAIDM’ is the perfect blend of old school, in your face aggression and smooth Contemporary lyricism.

A true banger I needed to experience after starting to think modern Rap was trending too soft. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Claire London - Black Leather [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Claire London blends the Blues with Pop sensibilities to give us this track. ‘Black Leather’ offers enough of that sultry edge to tease and enough dirt and grit to truly make it all interesting.

The track is loosely based on London’s first meeting her eventual husband but at its heart it is about personal confidence and simply getting about your business because you are truly feeling it.

That self assured groove comes through and carries the track on its back for a nice ride.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

KTJ & CARLY - Forever Young [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Riding a slow methodical build over the first minute, the track begins to soar with the chorus, but before that the strong emotive vocals will make you lean in in anticipation.

None of us truly stay ‘Forever young’ but good music is a good way to forget that that and lose yourself in time for a while. KTJ & CARLY know how to create engaging tracks that speak directly to a listener’s heart.

I did find myself craving more lyrically and the track ended a verse or so too soon for me.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nauti x Duke Deuce - CRASH DUMMY MUZIK [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Who would have thought a little bit of Memphis and a whole lot of New Zealand would hook up to establish a smooth groove like ‘CRASH DUMMY MUZICK.’

This is one of those tracks best digested in a cloud of smoke so you can kick back and enjoy the smooth ride. Each listen gave me a new nuance and thought. Simply a vibe!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Shane Rennison - I Think It's You [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The writing and premise of this track caught my attention and held me for the duration. I did crave more vocal variation from Shane Rennison on the track as the delivery stays with that one melancholic tone for the duration.

At its heart, ‘I Think It Is You,’ is a breakup song or at least one of self reflection that is going to lead to a breakup. Realizing the person you thought could be a long-term partner isn’t the one is a tough call and an emotional one a we first have to admit we were wrong in our original assessment. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Conflixx - LasT LetteR [Music Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“This track offers good artistic talent and yet it missed reaching its full potential. I liked the tone and the passion that pushed the flow forward and the premise or hook of the track is also rock solid but the elements did not quite combine to land with full force.

’LasT LetteR’ certainly owes a nod in style to Eminem, and Conflixx has that same sharp delivery that lands when he is truly feeling it. Though there are times when the delivery felt forced and artificial. However, in the end, it was the writing that just didn’t stick the landing. The rhymes often felt forced, or at least predictable. There were not enough surprises or twists to take this one to the next level for me despite the obvious potential and talent.

Give it a listen and let me know in the comments of you agree or disagree, and don’t forget to explain why or why not.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kelly McMichael - Bomb [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kelly McMichael ignites the fuse on this ‘Bomb,’ with a sound that borrows from the retro vibes of the 80s.

That said, the track feels entirely contemporary so while yes, I was reminded of the Go-Go’s, I was also invested in the attitude and lyrical build that hits like the bluntness of today’s social media charged world. The vocal power and musical energy are up in your face in all the best ways.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger