Lisa Heller - Closure [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“When its over, it is rarely truly over, because relationships are so deeply ingrained in us that there are many different layers we must peel back. Lisa Heller delivers those complexities with her latest single, ‘Closure,’ which is an intimate look at the feelings behind trying to get to that goodbye emotionally, while also desperately searching for something, anything to make it easier.

Heller’s haunting’s beautiful vocals brings out the strength of the songwriting, giving this single far more power than any of us feel in the vulnerable moments she sings about here.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Caleb Mills - Sold My Soul [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A thumping bass line leads the charge on this bluesy track from Caleb Mills. From Robert Johnson onward the lure of selling your soul to achieve your dreams has been tossed about, but this track puts a nice little groove pop rhythm with that refrain. Here the lyrics are more about sacrificing all else for a shot than they are a true deal with the devil.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Camden West - Lie, Cheat, Steal [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is an engaging Pop song that could fit in today’s definition of Mainstream Country Music which has increasingly gone to the pop side of things. Don’t get chased away by that, because this is not a country song. I repeat this is not a country song, but rather a damn good Pop song with solid emotional engagement and a top notch vocal performance. True to life lyrics and an energetic melody give the song an upbeat fun vibe. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Max Frost - Back In The Summer [Music Video Review}

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A hard undulating beat kicks this track off which has that feel of a true summer hit. The video is fun and captures the spirit of the track.

You could very well be hearing Max Frost and ‘Back In The Summer” all year long as this is the kind of infectious track that takes hole when the days are long and the sun is warm. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

R3HAB x Clara Mae x Frank Walker - "More Than OK (Acoustic)" [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is a BIG, quiet song. That might sound like a contradiction, but the emotions behind the lyrics and performance are huge while the quiet production perfectly brought them forth.

Clara Mae delivers passion and tenderness in her vocal ode to wanting more out of life than just being okay. Her inflection is perfect and it is easy to feel her investment in the message.

This multi-national collaboration between Mae, R3HAB, and Frank Walker has created a track that speaks loud to the hearts and souls of everyone and it does so with spot on production and a timeless feel. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Femke - I See You [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Written for a friend that attempted suicide, this track puts into words what so many people want to say to a loved one when they are in that desperate, dark place. Femke captures the emotion in both the lyrics and in a vocal performance that delivers both tenderness and resolve.

The calm tranquil melody helps us feel this track and explore the feelings being expressed. This is a singer/songwriter at the top of their game only life is no game. Life is a journey and sometimes we need talent like Femke to be our road map. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ryan Innes - Stay Foolish [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The guitar melody gives us a hint of the intimacy to come, but even so, Ryan Innes captures the moment instantly with an emotional set of vocals that hooks and holds like few artists can. Delivering a set of lyrics that is about honoring who you are and not changing because of the actions of others, the song unfurls with deliberation and a steady pace that is perfectly executed by Innes. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

James Gillespie - Someday Sunday [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“James Gillespie has the kind of voice that captivates from the first note and this track about getting away briefly to recharge and recenter yourself is engaging.

The style of the video was not always easy to stay focused on but that is kind of the point in that it is not always easy to get out and away for yourself.

The secondary vocals of Natti Shiner add the emotion and spirit of the track. Gillespie will be making his first tour stops in North America later this month. March 23rd at the Mercury Lounge in New York and March 25th at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Grace Gillespie - Goodbye [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There is an inviting element to the tone of Grace Gillespie’s voice that reminds me of vintage Joni Mitchell. And the lyrics are poignant and emotional. The melody is fairly straightforward and folksy, though the track feels a bit more broader than that description makes sit sound. There are folk elements for sure, but there is a haunting edge to this that feels decidedly commercial and contemporary.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rich Jacques - Edge of The Sun [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rich Jacques establishes a mood and tone immediately in this brooding track about gathering the courage to take that next step. The arrangement of ‘Edge of The Sun’ is meticulously cultivated to keep the listener intrigued. Lyrically, the track is layered with each line building nicely on top of the last. The chains are interlinked in such a way that it pulls you through like fine tuned machinery. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gabriel and Zoe Brush - Resting Place [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The piano is haunting, and the lyrics poignant and powerful. Emotion dominates every facet of this single, and the duo of voices build and mix to deliver a heartfelt punch to your very soul.

This track fits the singer/songwriter vibe, but we are not simply talking about a stripped-down acoustic version of a song, because here we have a powerful ode that feels layered and complex in both the writing and arrangement, despite relying on very few elements to arrive at that rich sound and emotional resonance.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Alice Jemima - Serious [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The world of social media is a false canvas that we all are painting our lives across, and this artful track and video from Alice Jemima takes a look at this ‘Serious’ problem.

The loose connections we form via images and blurbs are not as true or absolute as our real life relationships, and yet more and more, society is putting a heavier emphasis on the former while disregarding the latter.

Out of the context of face-to-face interaction the smallest of things are exploited and taken far too serious at times. This track is about exactly that and so much more.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

TATUM - Fever [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“TATUM brings heat with her new single ‘Fever.’ A dark and brooding arrangement sets the tone for this track about a toxic relationship that left her sick with regret and remorse. The keys driven melody is the perfect accompaniment to TATUM’s vocals, which expresses both the pain of a scarred heart and the repentant emotions of second guessing your bad decisions along the way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cormac Looby - I Don't Need Your Love [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Spirited defiance is at the forefront of the lyrics behind Cormac Looby’s single, ‘I Don’t Need Your Love.” This track is one of those genre bending songs that is tricky to pin down in a few words. Both in genre and in energy. A lively tempo with a decided Irish flair, the single certainly brings influence from the streets of Galway where Looby honed his craft busking, but there is a marked Pop vibe as well that hints at a Rock and Roll heritage. This is a fun little anthem that sticks with you.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Website: cormaclooby.com

Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/1UQmrMGtH1xpyS1Sknvocl

Apple Music - music.apple.com/us/artist/cormac-looby/1499440483

All other Platforms - distrokid.com/hyperfollow/cormaclooby/i-dont-need-your-love

Lauren Aquilina - Bad People [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Giving up takes many different looks and this track is a heartbreaking example of that. With hauntingly beautiful vocals, Lauren Aquilina delivers ‘Bad People,” and ode to giving up on trying to be nice after being burnt and hurt.

The lyrics to this single slice like a rusty knife, and while the track was written after a bad personal breakup, the song has a resonance to society as a whole, because in these decisive times, it often feels like the assholes of the world are the only ones getting ahead.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Andrew Cushin - It's Gonna Get Better [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The guitar melody captured my intrigue from the very first note, and Andrew Cushin has one of those unique vocal tones that hooks the listener just as fast.

The emotion behind the track shines, and despite the title, ‘It’s Gonna Get Better,’ you will be hard pressed to find a sound any better or richer than this. The imagery of the video fits quite well with the words and emotions.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rico Loma - [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As Valentine’s Day is approaching ‘Warm’ would be a good song to add to your playlist. Imagine yourself laying near the fire place surrounded by wine and candles. ‘Warm’ creates a romantic yet seductive mood that will have you dancing and caressing your significant other. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Anna Sophia - "Self Aware Bitch" [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“John Hughes is gone, but his spirit is alive and well in this single from Ann Sophia. ‘Self Aware Bitch’ has that twisted high school vibe that was the trademark of the 80’s films, only this time it is created by a 16 year old actually living the material she writes.

The track is fun, but don’t let that takeaway from the musical merit of both Sophia’s performance and her songwriting.

The imagery of the video brings out the mood all the more and this track is yet but more fuel to launch the career of Anna Sophia into stardom.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

OLGA - Kiss My Sadness Away [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The writing here is spot on perfection. Vocally, the first few lines felt a touch dated for me, but then the track took a turn and felt purely modern from then on. The beat and melody add to the whip-smart lyrics and make this track so sharp you simply cannot escape the hook.

The tale of a jaded lover considering a reconciliation, but only after the gets the damn answers she needs. Attitude prevails and pulls you deep into this relationship even if you’ve never been there yourself.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

JP Saxe - Sad Corny Fuck [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track puts into words the vibe many a dude has been faced with after falling in love. None of us set out to become a ‘Sad Corny Fuck,’ but when those emotions stat to boil up and out of us, that is what happens.

This tracks was produced by recent GRAMMY darling FINNEAS, and it does carry the same emotional impact that his work with Billie Eilish, but JP SAXE’s masterful vocals carry the day here and I can’t wait to hear more music from SAXE.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)