Matt Sahadi - Halfway to Charlotte [Music Review]

“Matt Sahadi weaves a tale of lost love and a journey to rekindle the spark in the hauntingly beautiful track, ‘Halfway to Charlotte.’

Love is one of the the few things that can shake us up enough to rush headfirst into the last place you want to go. This song is about that leap of faith and facing your fears to chase after the thing you need the most.

The stripped down feel matches the emotions perfectly and you can feel the rubber meeting the road on this engaging song. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sitting on Saturn x G. Love - Rose Colored Glasses [Music Review]

“Few things spawn as many songs as newfound love and Sitting on Saturn teams up with G. Love to unleash their take on this set of emotions. ‘Rose Colored Glasses’ is all about the way a new crush can make everything in the world seem better.

This track brings an Indie Rock energy with a little bit of a Pop edge. Another fun track for your playlists dedicated to love.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

South of Savoy - Love The Feeling [Music Review]

“Valentine’s Day needs a bit of Retro Soul to get the party started and South of Savoy delivers with their new release, ‘Love the Feeling.’

The track offers an energetic ode to love with hints of that vintage sound and the kind of timeless lyrics that always land. A fun track sure to put a smile on your lover’s face and a little spring in both your steps as you move together either in or out of bed.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jelly Crystal x Nicole Sabouné - Forever Is Not That Long [Music Review]

“Jelly Crystal and nicole Saboune team up on this Pop infused Country ode to the beautiful fragility of life and the anxiety we all fear of our impermanence. The vocals are loving and tender and this track will no doubt be shared among loving couples as a stand in for their love and fear that forever simply isn’t long enough.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Madisyn Gifford - Die Happy [Music Review]

“We all go through some lulls in life and it is those dark places and times that lend to the good and hopeful times feeling all the more uplifting. Madisyn Gifford gives us a soundtrack for those transformative moments when the clouds lift and the sun finds its way to our smiling faces once again. ‘Die Happy’ is a Pop Folk track that feels like emerging from a heavy, emotional cocoon. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kurt Lee Wheeler - Hesitant Father [Music Review]

“Our views of our parents definitely change as we age and experience our own turn as the head of a family. Kurt Lee Wheeler captures that journey brilliantly with ‘Hesitant Father.’

The acoustical track is emotive and emotional. You can call it Folk or simply Singer/Songwriter but really the heart of this one is universal. The reflective and personal nature is one that we can all fall in and feel.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JWADI - GROUND CONTROL [Music Review]

“JWADI doesn’t mess around jumping straight right into it on this Reggae heavy Alt Rock fusion. This song is a vibe. I fell in and felt it deep within me. With each subsequent listen I found new lyrical nuances to keep me coming back time and time again.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Citi Limitz - The Most / If They Only Knew [Music Review]

“Citi Limitz feels like a throwback in some ways as R7B trios seem rare these days and this group would be right at home in the late 80s. That said ‘The Most/If The Only Knew’ has a modern edge that is right at home in today’s musical landscape.

The track has that smooth groove you;d expect and the lyrical punch to make you feel exactly what they are laying down.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Vocab Slick - Jewelz (feat. Starski) [Music Video Review]

“Vocab Slick teams up with Starski to give an engaging Old School Hop-Hop track and video. The lyrical flow hits bringing a story as well as a strong hook. The video adds to the grit and dynamic and the flow is delivered with that hard hitting verve few Hip-Hop artists let come out these days. This is a track with both grit and genuine flavor that simple feels legit.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ex Habit x BURY - let me fall [Music Review]

“Newfound love and infatuation can border on obsession and that is the sentiment captured by Ex habit and BURY on their sultry new release, ‘Let Me Fall.’

The track straddles the line between Neo Soul and Contemporary R&B, but certainly has a mainstream Commercial vibe that will resonate with music lovers of all genres.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Criticals - Mother of Style [Music Review]

“This track has a nostalgic feel by design. Inspired by the ever-changing vibe of their hometown, Nashville, Tennessee, The Criticals unleash a 90’s Indie Rock vibe that certainly differs from what people think about when they first think of Nashville.

The band has long been one of my favorites here at LA on Lock and again they continue to impress with a wide range of style and sound. Just like their hometown.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jadelyn - Runaway [Music Review]

“Jadelyn turned a sandy beach daydream of her own into an engaging Electro Pop track that built from that original idea into a universal sentiment that we can all understand.

Love is something most of us inspire to and our minds often race eight steps ahead building a story of happily ever after. ‘Runaway’ is all about those run thoughts we have while daydreaming about our fantasies.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Selfish Pursuits - Don’t Let Go [Music Review]

“Selfish Pursuits offers an uplifting ode to staying in the fight with ‘Don’t Let Go.’ The Indie Pop track ahs a calm even build and delivery making it easy to focus in on the lyrical message. The arrangement allows for your mind to pause and reflect which is perfect for this kind of emotional song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PICKLE JUICE - Curbstomp {Music Review]

“PICKLE JUICE was formed by a group of ski bums. A global collection of talents based in Canada, the band conjured up a timeless brand of Rock and Roll sound. “curbstomp’ is the kind of track that would have been a hit anytime over the last three decades so get in early and help start spreading the world about this fun and energetic band. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Juliet Hawkins - What If [Music Review]

“Juliet Hawkins has that kind of raw and tender vocal talent that grabs a listener from the very first word. Fans of Brandi Carlile will hear some similarities especially in the heartbreaking tender moments. ‘What If’ is a question we’ve all asked so the emotions are highly relatable and well delivered.

I did feel a bit less of the emotion as the track progressed but this is still a track I will return to for subsequent listens.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PHWOAR - Waiting for the Sun [Music Review]

“Turmoil and strife seem to be the new normal in this increasingly divisive world. Music is a salve for many of us and this track fits the current mood of so many quite well. I’ll turn it over to the band PHWOAR and let them explain where their new single , ‘Waiting for the Sun,’ comes from.

”This is a song about resilience. It explores hope as a form of rebellion and learning to find strength in times of weakness. In the UK, January 20 (this song’s release date) is known as Blue Monday, which is supposedly the most depressing day of the year (coincidentally in 2025, it is also the day of the US presidential inauguration). Blue Monday was concocted to sell you stuff, using people’s mental health as an excuse to do so. This song is a reminder that mental health is not something to be made light of in order to sell holidays and stuff. It’s also a reminder to ourselves and anybody going through difficult times that the lowest ebb is never a constant. There’s always light after the darkness. Sometimes we’re just forced into waiting for the sun. x”

This song and its intent should resonate for many as we delve into an unpredictable era.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sapir Amar - Burning [Music Review]

“This Israeli born artists has been creating music since she was thirteen. After her stint as a contestant ont he Voice, Sapir Amar is now taking the world on with her new Electro Pop release, ‘Burning.’

The track has a energetic and sultry vibe that showcases her vocal talent quite well. Had a vintage Britney vibe that adds an undeniable edge to the build. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ian Abel - Not Our Song [Music Review]

“Ian Abel unleashes this cheeky track about axing that troublesome ex. ‘Not Our Song’ is a fun ode to saying so long.. Abel is A Brooklyn native and a fast rising icon of the LGBQT+ scene though this track certainly has relevancy and punch for all of us. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Wombino - Granite [Music Review]

“Wombino has that easy smooth flow that only certain artists can pull off without feeling emotionally flat. In that regard Wombina can be compared to Mac Miller and Kendrick. ‘Granite’ is a rock-solid ltrack full of lyrical power and insight.

The track definitely straddles the line of Hip-Hop and Neo-Soul. A song that will make you think. One that will bring you back to listen multiple times. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Thirsty Curses - Breakfast Schmeckfast [Music Review]

“Thirsty Curses gives us a tongue-in-cheek bit of advice on how to navigate life with ‘Breakfast Schmeckfest.’

The Ska/Pop Punk vibe is perfect for the lyrical build and the group has the talent to pull off the fun groove as well as the vocal performance with precision. This is one of those songs some might dismiss as kitschy or fun but at its heart the lyrical build has enough depth to keep you coming back.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger