Dan Johnson - Along the Way [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Dan Johnson boldly sings the line ... I’d rather be a fool tomorrow, than a coward any day ... in his new single, ‘Along The Way,’ and in that simple brilliance, can be found both an idea and an ideal on how to live life.

Putting yourself out there, risking yourself in the name of love is dangerous and leaves us all vulnerable. Though of course not doing so, not allowing others to truly know who and what we are, leaves us isolated and alone. This uplifting track is a reminder to us all — you can’t truly live without taking some risks along the way.

The earmark of a great song is playability. A good song you can listen to a few times and be content, but a great song soars to life and compels you to listen time and time again. And with each listen you feel the emotion and come to a personal understanding that very well may transcend beyond the artist’s original intent as you layer in your own experience with the sentiments being sung. This is that type of song.

The genre is tricky here ,as the track defiantly and artistically straddles a many different lines. Big and theatrical. the single comes with elements of Indie Rock, Americana, and Gospel. At times it conjured thoughts of the Lion King with the chants and uplifting mantra that would be right at home on any Broadway stage or musical soundtrack.

But gerne is a marketers game anyway. For we consumers the lines are simple ... not for me, good, or outstanding.

And this track lands square in the latter category for me. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cloe Wilder - Fake ID [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Seventeen is a sandwich year. The euphoria that comes with the freedom of a driver’s license has faded and the big bastion of adulthood, eighteen, is still off on the distant horizon so it is no wonder seventeen is the time or restlessness and yearning.

’Fake ID,’ by Cloe Wilder captures this with Pop perfection.

The track, and accompanying video, are fun and entertaining, but they also harbor a hint of darkness as the naiveness of childhood is pushed aside by the hungry lust for adulthood.

Of course everything in this world comes with a price which most of us do not learn until it is too late. This track layers int he fun and the the education these experiences give us as we transition in life.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Stela Cole - Die Hard [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Stela Cole has a smoky brand of vocals that are emotive and powerful yet still vulnerable and sultry at times. There is a hint of gravel that reminded me of Miley but the overall style felt unique enough for Cole to avoid any direct comparisons.

’Die Hard’ is about those bad or at least flawed relationships that are never quite destructive or absolute enough for a clean end and break so it begins to feel like a bad loop of break-ups and make-ups. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Daniel Ellsworth - After All [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Daniel Ellsworth’s new track, “After All’ hot me like a psychedelic Elton John. Sure, Elton had his days of altered state and had some out there songs but Ellsworth hasn’t created anything derivative here in his vibe. Was more of a feeling for me with hints of Elton John and Grateful Dead as a loose connector to the sound.

The video is also trippy by Ellsworth and his band the Great Lakes also infuse emotion and a strong sense of build in the track so besides the talent I was pulled in and took the full ride.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Flowtone - Eats Me Alive [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Flowtone unleashes a slow build on ‘Eats Me Alive,’ a vibe-heavy Indie Rock track.

If Coldplay and the Chili Peppers merged for one night, the result might sound something like this. We all have those things that eat at us from the inside out and this track not only delivers that emotion lyrically, but also in the overall tone.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Indecent Proposal - Behind Her Eyes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“My closest comparison to the sound and vibe of this track from new band Indecent Proposal is the Black Crowes. ‘Behind Her Eys’ has a rock ballad feel but hints of Americana lurk in the sound and the result is an emotionally-fueled track that is the perfect accompaniment to a psychedelic trip or a calming jam session for that cross-country road trip.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kuttem Reese - "TYFNB" + REESE EP [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Kuttem Reese is pissed to hit that next level. The Orlando, Florida rapper is a Hip-Hop star on the rise and his new eighteen track album is more fuel on the fire.

This track is about remembering the path and the pitfalls, the haters, the doubter, the struggle it took to climb the ladder. The video adds to the vibes and really dials in the track’s lyrical intent which is delivered with precision and a smooth talent. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rosa Mack - When I'm Alone [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rosa Mack delivers this track with silky smooth power. The blues-charged soul track is a gospel of sorts for self-empowerment.

’When I’m Alone’ is all about shedding what binds you and not letting others drag you down or hold you back. The track rises into a powerful crescendo, but is captivating from note one. highlighting Mack’s power not only as a vocal performance but as a songwriter.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Thorslund - Hours to Go [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Thorslund is back with that hard charging rock sound that is at home no matter the decade. Get pumped for the weekend with ‘Hours To Go.’

The band was founded by the Thorslund brothers and takes the vintage rock sounds of the 70’s and 80s and brings them to today with fun, energetic lyrics to get you off your phone and back out in the world because this is music to move by. Be it strutting down the Sunset Strip or mashing that gas pedal and hitting the open road. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Andi Jane - Hide the Key [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“knowing when to walk away is important but few of us have that kind of self awareness. Andi Jane delivers this soulful Pop Ballad about that very thing. ‘Hide The Key’ utilizes her emotive vocals and a piano heavy melody to draw the listener into the right frame of mind for this track about moving on, despite nostalgia and a strong lingering love that isn’t quite meeting all the needs.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dax - Dax-To Be A Man (Ft. Darius Rucker) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dax is a versatile talent that can come with a hard-edged Hip-Hop flow or a theatrical horror core track and then here on this track, Dax deliver offers an earnest ballad along with Darius Rucker.

’To Be a Man’ is an ode to the emotions and pressures of being a man. Not just any man but a responsible hard-working man trying to do his best despite the pitfalls and stresses that we face.

Dax and Rucker’s voices blend and play off each other well on the track and the emotions carry the day on this honest and vulnerable look at a side of being a man that often is overlooked. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Little Quirks - Storm Like Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Little Quirks is an all-girl trio of two sisters and their cousin from Australia. ‘Storm Like Me’ is a folksy Pop track and the first single from their new album due out early next year.

The song is an ode to being true to yourself even when you are wrong. We all say and do stuff we wished we hadn’t but there is a power in owning our mistakes and trying to do better next time, rather than turning and running from them or make asinine excuses. This sound proudly proclaims, HERE I AM ... flaws and all. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Sweet Kill - Undead [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Delivered in a deep baritone reminiscent of Nick Cave, The Sweet Kill gives us a track perfect for the season. ‘Undead’ isn’t purely a Halloween track, but it does fit the mood and vibe of this time of year.

The press release details include this description ... THE SWEET KILL is a one-man Post-Punk, Dark & Gothic artist. Driven by cold synths, atmospheric guitar and melodic bass, multi-instrumentalist and velvety crooning baritone, Pete Mills conducts a Darkwave masterpiece of romantic sorrow echoing the laments of The Cure and Joy Division.

The track is a dark romantic ode to an immortal being in love with a mortal facing peril and the is left with no choice bu tto convert his love so they can be together for eternity.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Stemmas - Eyes Wide Open [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Stemmas are an emerging, Indie musical collective started by guitarist and executive producer, Jerry Conrad, and lead vocalist Tommy White but expanded to an impressive group of accomplished artists and collaborators.

’Eyes Wide Open’ is a timeless rock song of boredoma nd questioning and taking a chance to find what answers might be out there in the world. This is Rock and Rolls as it should be, but is seldom heard these days int he glossy world of manufactured corporate music. The right kind of grit and IDGAF attitude, with the video to match.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jay Dutch x BiiG Dreams - About That Time [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A dose of truth and honesty is always a good idea, and here Jay Dutch delivers exactly that as he lays out the difficult road to success in the music industry, and in a broader sense the world.

Haters gonna hate and doubters gonna doubt, and when given the chance, the hustlers are gonna take what they can from you.

’About That Time’ is about believing in yourself and holding that hard line until you rise above all those looking to drag you down. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

LEWIS FITZGERALD - Clarity [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

““Relationships tend to ebb and flow, and while both parties might remain in love, there are times the only way to find ‘Clarity’ is to take a step back and reassess your emotions. Lewis Fitzgerald tackles this dynamics on this Electro Pop track.

I suspect some will label Fitzgerald as a Brutish Post Malone, given his look and sound, and while that designation has merit because there are definite similarities, this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced Fitzgerald’s talent. So I am confident that he has the artistry and talent to stand on his own and shed any notions that he is a derivative artist and not a talent in his own right.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Olivia Lunny - FIX THIS [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Olivia Lunny is as talented as they come and here she is joined by Bryce Vine. The vocal duet is stunning and emotive and you feel every last, heartbreaking word of the track.

’Fix This’ is the kind of track that will help people get through their own hard times or even facilitate conversation for couple in need of a good heart-to-heat to turn the ride of a sinking relationship. An engaging and entertaining track with the ability to effect actual change in people’s lives, what’s not to love?”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Madeleine McPherson - Treat Me Right (Bubble Song) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Madeleine McPherson delivers this ode to taking care of yourself and saying goodbye to those in our lives who do not treat us right.

Tenderly delivered with confidence, ‘Treat Me Right (Bubble Song)’ is a Pop anthem to moving onward and upward. The talent shines and the lesson to be learned here is one we all need at some point in life.

At times her vocals remind me of Miley, but not enough to consider this derivative or an imitation. McPherson stands on her own talents without a doubt.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Professor Green x R.A x K Koke - Nervous [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This record sounds like the most stressful moments of Top Boy rolled into one. Its mean, aggressive and scariest of all witty. Can you imagine a debt collector coming to take your knee caps off with a smile on this face? That’s what Nervous sounds like and I lot it. The UK is really having a strong moment in Hip-Hop and those familiar will know Pro Green isn’t a new kid on the block but a corner stone of modern UK Hip-Hop, and to hear him sound this inspired and sharp is exciting for everything UK.”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Talibando - Celebrity Status [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Talibando flips Twista smooth romantic Overnight Celebrity in a gritty, street anthem filled with braggadocios lyrics and Detroit street ethics. “I ain’t Virgil but I really got it offa white” I MEAN!”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)