Estella Dawn - 514 Denim [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Estella Dawn is a talented artist I feature often here at LA on Lock. This New Zealand native now calls San Diego home, but sometime soon the entire world will claim her as one of their own as this kind of talent finds a way to shine bright.

’514’ Denim’ is a smooth Electro Pop kind of track that fits right alongside some of the biggest hits out right now. I’ve written this before but I am going o write it again .. get on board with this star now! ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lily Meola - Gasoline [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I often struggle to connect to vocals delivered in a high register but not this time. Lily Meola has a very emotive delivery that works for her higher, softer tone.

’Gasoline’ is the latest release from Meola who has captured the attention and mentorship of Willie Nelson. The track leans slightly to a Pop Folk sort of sound that feels alive and vibrant.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eden Rain - Palo Alto [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Eden Rain has the kind of vocal prowess that captivates from the very first note. ‘Palo Alto’ is a song of heart ache and longing’ and how the person’s memory can sneak up on you in unexpected ways.

A tender and vulnerable song, ‘Palo Alto’ is human and the emotions are acutely tangible. Eden Rain is an artist I am eager to hear more of in the near future.”

— 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

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

jocelvn - spiral [Music Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“I had a mixed reaction to jocelvn’s new release, ‘spiral.’ The vocal talent and emotive delivery had me captivated, as did the subtle beauty of the video and imagery.

The writing was strong as well, though I was not a huge fan of the way the track wound down and for me the ending felt unnaturally abrupt, as if it had been cut off. Though overall, it was the production dynamics that I struggled with. The track felt overproduced and for my taste it would have been better served to simply let the vocal talent and emotion carry the song.

As always, let me know in the comments what you think? Did I miss the point of this one or was the talent diminished by the production and abrupt conclusion?”

— 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

Tom Mackell - Shitbag [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pure unadulterated fun!

Tom Mackell has a good time calling out his own behavior, and the honesty, along with his emotive delivery sells the track with ease. The melody is light and the tempo carries the listener along like a nice summer breeze.

This is a good little everyman kind of ditty, that will stick in your head long after the final note. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

deegie - Old Spice (Eric #1) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“deegie is back on the attack, unleashing to dirt on ex-boyfriends from her upcoming EP, ‘EXES.’

This song puts the spotlight on Eric, her high school sweetheart, who first broke deegie’s heart when she was seventeen. I

A Pop Punk hit in the making, ‘Old Spice’ unfurls like a movie and the the story is easily digestable.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Velvet Rouge - Lonely Since The Day We Met [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Velvet Rouge reminded me of Lucinda William on this track. Yes there are multiple voices, but the grit and overall tone had that same brand of defiant excellence that William does so well.

’Lonely Since The Day We Met’ builds in passion and energy throughout, and once it bites unto your psyche it refuses to let go.

This is the, in-your-face goodbye that we all want to deliver at some point in our life. Now we have an easy song to share with those offending parties as we say adios! ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Other Gods - GONE [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Other Gods gives us a reason to get out and dance with ‘GONE,’ and sure walking away from any relationship is tough but sometimes the freedom is exactly what we need most.

The lyrics here offer tangible advice and real word vibes but that doesn’t mean we can’t dance away from that toxic relationship and rediscover ourselves out there under the lights.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Frankie Bird - Unstuck [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The tight harmonies demanded my attention right from the start, and then Frankie Bird soared even higher with captivating vocals that definitely fly above the fray.

’Unstuck’ is an upbeat and uplifting track that carries you on the current of its spirit and liveliness. We’ve all been stuck in one way or another, and it is only after freeing ourselves that we have experience true euphoria. This track captures that sensation quite well giving us a soundtrack to go along with the joy of newfound freedom.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zach Witness- Can't Get It Out of My Head [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“People sample all the time but the sample usually still sounds like the original. However, Zach Witness puts a good twist on the “Can’t Get It Outta My Head” sample. It is fast yet nostalgic with a dance like vibe. You will find yourself with a burst of energy every time the beat hits.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

David Frank - Don't Miss A Moment [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“David Frank is poised to be the next big name in the Folk Pop sound. This high energy track and strong writing offers an upbeat bit of motivation. LIke a warm hug this one wraps around you and pulls you in close.

There will probably be Mumford comparisons but this one feels a little tighter and more Commercial overall for me. I expect to hear this track a lot this coming summer.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Born Runner - Lose Yourself Tonight [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A high-energy track that sort of feels like Bruno Mars meets Neon Trees.

Born Runner delivers a unique sound so pinning them to any particular genre, or one direct comparison to another artist is tough, but I’ll call ‘Lose Yourself Tonight’ a Indie Rock Funk and say it is a perfect track for any motivational or party playlist because it delivers fun energy at every single turn.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger