Ashley Elle - Death of Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ashley Elle proudly uses the term Sad Girl Pop and she just might be the Queen of the genre. Her emotive delivery and vulnerable lyrics pull the listener right into the heart of this track but she expresses the song’s intent well herself ...

’I moved to Los Angeles four years ago to attend college and pursue music,” explains Ashley Elle. “While I love it out here, there are many moments where I wish I could run home to my small town in Wisconsin. ‘Death of Me’ is a song to LA - a place full of dreams and possibilities wrapped in competition and insecurities.’

Truer words have never been said about Los Angeles and all that emotions she gives those who come here in search of something new and different.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Estella Dawn - Yes Chef [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Estella Dawn has fast become one of my favorite contributors here at LA on Lock. The New Zealand born/ San Diego based Pop artist often surprises me with unique lyrics and a diverse sound that always delivers talent to go with the the surprises.

’Yes Chef’ is a tribute the the friends-with- benefits dynamic and how anyone could not say yes to this starlet is beyond me. This is a sensual and fun track right at home in today’s Pop landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Movie Night - Haunted [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I am a sucker for a good story song. And a story song with a gut-wrenching twist of the knife ... YES PLEASE!

Butter the popcorn and settle in because Movie Night latest track, ‘Haunted’ is ready to carve up your emotions with this Pop Rock anthem to closure and that impromptu final meeting with your ex to try and wrap thigs up in a nice little box to stoae away. Of course life doesn’t work like that, and neither does this excellent song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Roxy Alice -Strike Me Blind [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“I was close to declining this track. Mainly because of the mumble rap build up and the lyrics not being clear. However, the more I listened to Roxy Alice the more the vocal tone reminded me of Young Thug. Sometimes it’s not about understanding a song but how good it sounds and the vibes it gives off. “Strike Me Blind” is a song that I can see being played a few times.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Subway Rat - Outta Town[Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The song has a rock tempo to it because of the guitar and the amps. Its alternative raw style is direct in its purpose without giving you much verses. I wouldn’t classify “Out of Town” as a broken hearted love song but more so of year I messed up and this is why.Even though you hear the chorus more the experimental energy allows you to rock with it.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Zulu-Seeing God [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The song has a rock tempo to it because of the guitar and the amps. Its alternative raw style is direct in its purpose without giving you much verses. I wouldn’t classify “Out of Town” as a broken hearted love song but more so of year I messed up and this is why.Even though you hear the chorus more the experimental energy allows you to rock with it.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [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

FlexpackFACE -Stay Away [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Some people may think it’s a guilty pleasure but addiction is a terrible battle that many fight. FlexpackFACE delivers a conscious Hip-Hop track over a POP like melody. He discusses his relationship with addiction before and after sobriety. The flow is direct, clear, and consistency. It allows any listener to follow his battle and be clear of the journey.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Connor Kauffman - Far Too Late [Músic Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Connor Kauffman is an artist I’ve featured before and once again he’s blown me away with his talent and emotive expressions of the human condition.

Not everyone deserves second or third chances, even if you happen to share DNA with that person. Though that is a tough thing to accept because we are all conditioned to believe blood is thicker than water and that is exactly why some grievances hurt worse than others.

Kauffman uses his talent to share this experience and in doing so helps us find our own healing path all while being entertained by his stellar performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nothing but a Nightmare - She Always Ruins A Good Time [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Coming with a Pop Punk vibe that is a bit in your face, Nothing but a Nightmare, taps into an early 2000’s vibe with their sound and style. ‘She Always Ruins A Good Time’ walks that ragged edge and offers up multiple viewpoints as well as a nice variation in the arrangement and build.

The writing is relatable and the energy palpable. A fun anthem to tilt your head back and song along to with all that you have.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alfie Sharp - All Or Nothing [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If Rock and Roll Gospel were a genre, this track just might be its benchmark song. Alfie Sharp delivers vocal talent and an undeniable energy to the performance, but the track also boast provocative lyrics that will both entertain and make you stop and think at the same time.

If ‘All Or Nothing’ is the choice, this track certainly gives its all.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Michael Isaak - Okay With This [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Michael Isaak lays himself bare with an honesty that would make most uncomfortable. With lyrics that feel like Michael is trying to convince himself as well as his lover that they’ll be ok, I don’t know who needs to believe it more. With blue tape acting like a totem from inception, Michael is fixated on that safe space this brother made for him all those years ago. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Kevian Kraemer - Restart [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Restart is a slice of innocence that only comes from that pain of your first love. Kevian’s lyrics and delivery are so conversational you almost feel a part of their love story. Kevian is truly a storyteller and paints a truly vivid picture of what it feels like when you ground beneath you crumbles when you thought it was solid ground. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on lock blogger)

Kacia - Plastic Straws [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Kacia is a young artist who is finding himself, and he does it with a transparency most established artists haven’t figured out. Stepping into adulthood is never easy, and for a long time you still have teenage emotions just with adult responsibility. Kacia’s lyrics are so innocent, from painting the vivid picture waiting on his letter to Hogwarts to wondering which friends will be around as soon as the school bell rings for one last time. Plastic Straws is a beautiful fist step into adulthood. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Coma Girls - Back To The Source [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Self-reflection doesn’t always need to be drenched in sour minor chords and brooding grooves. Coma Girls prove that because Back To The Source just makes me want to move. Its ear-worm like melodies and true indie anthem guitars make you want to shake your demons off at a Coma Girls show screaming every lyric back at them. Subtle yet poetic with honest like “You were good at sex / But you’re bad at goodbyes” makes this a a true pop masterpiece without even trying. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock Blogger)

Highkey Ike - Commitments [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Juice WRLD was a pretty dope artist and Highkey Ike displays the same talent. This Pop Rap trap has a love song twist. It is about wanting to commit but still wanting to have fun. The balance of the two worlds are expressed in each lyric allowing you to embrace and understand commitments.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Haley - Walk Among The Dead [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“To quote The Verve, this is a bitter sweet symphony. Never loud but impossible to be heard, Haley pours her heart out in this tale of betrayal and heartbreak. Writing and rewriting this song over a 4 year period, Haley really landed right on the heart strings in such a honest and raw way. *Standing ovation* ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Helenor - Bad2 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is a razor thin line between feeling like you’re flying or you’re falling and Helenor walks that tightrope like most seasoned Cirque Du Soleil performer. Every line is bittersweet and contradictory, my favourite being “It’s a perfect day, to spiral down the drain”. The production is breezy and the vocal so nonchalant it feels like Helenor is just pouring his heart out to you over whiskey... no ice. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Weston Estate - Slowly [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“I could literally shoot bittersweet love songs into my veins... I’m not sure what that says about me BUT what I do know is ‘Slowly’ is a beautiful brooding ballad. “We don’t got love like we used to but I still holding you close” is such a raw and honest lyric. Sometimes we know its not same but something familiar feels better than nothing...right?”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock Blogger)

OXLADE Ft. Dave - Intoxycated [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Picture the scene. You’re in a swanky bar in London, a rum & coke in one hand, doing gun fingers with the other... and the person of your dreams has their back on your front and your dancing until the early hours. Intoxycated is one of those lowkey club anthems with a chorus you can scream at the top of your lungs riding the wave of the night. The verses are smooth and every melody feels plucked from King Davids harp. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on lock blogger)