Swan Levitt - Someday Soon [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Swan Levitt delivers a soft emotional track about finding peace and a way forward after a hard time. Written specifically about recovery, ‘Someday Soon’ has even a broader relevance in the word as we all try to find a new path after a tough traumatic year.

In the words of Levitt ... ‘This is about getting back to where you were before it went so wrong...perhaps lying to yourself a little in the mean time. But things will get better, eventually.’ In the meanwhile, a touching song like this can help us feel like we are not alone.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rett Madison - Kerosene [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rett Madison. Remember that name. Her latest single ‘Kerosene’ is a true burner in every sense. The lyrical power is undeniable, but it is the emotive vocal style that truly makes Madison feel special in that Jason Isbell kind of way.

There is a country twang to her voice at times, but this is no commercial Nashville pablum. This is heartfelt Folk or more aptly Americana that demands you sit and listen and feel the emotion of the words and performance. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Steve Acho - Legacy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Live a life worth remembering. That is the gist of Steve Acho’s soaring piano ballad, “Legacy.’ Acho comes with songwriting gusto and talent that will remind some of Elton John combined with John Legend. The reputation we leave behind is perhaps our greatest legacy and this song captures that sentiment quite well. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Biz Colletti- Trust Myself [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“We all have some sort of fear. For Biz Colletti its the fear of being alone with someone. When she saw the true colors of someone she lost herself. Now she doesn’t trust herself to be alone with that person. We all have been there before. Her vocals are soft spoken but the delivery will draw you in emotionally.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Written by biz colletti and Matt Kass

Fiona Harte - What Is Loving Anymore [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Fiona Harte mesmerizes with her emotive vocals on this dazzling emotional track. The Northern Irish singer songwriter has a hint of Dolly to her tone, and a whisper of Joni Mitchel in her soul, but here on this track, Harte’s talent stands alone in the spotlight with both an outstanding vocal performance and a stellar bit of songwriting which combine to captivate the way few artists are capable.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LACES - worship [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“LACES once performed to success under the name Charlotte Sometimes, but a series of life events and personal decisions have led to her burying that name, both literally and figuratively.

In more ways than one, ‘worship’ represents a rebirth, and in the dark moodiness of a stellar vocal performance, lurks an emotion and depth that breaths life into this track, as well as the new direction of LACES renewed career.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hugo Valentine - Rule The World [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hugo Valentine gives us a bit of a throwback. With a track that builds in the arrangement in such a way that conjures vibes of classic hits of the 70’s and 80’s, while also having that big musical sound of a contemporary single, ‘Rule The World’ ends up sounding very much like a collaboration between Elton John and Coldplay.

The energy here sweeps the listener up after a calm opening.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Xanthe Alexis - The Offering [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Reminding me a bit of the Canadian band ,The Cowboy Junkies, Xanthe Alexis delivers a nurturing brand of tenderness in her single ‘The Offering.’

Hailing from Colorado, Alexis brings a hint of that soft mountain spirit to both her songwriting and the vocals in this track. Decidedly Americana in sound, the emotion of this track wraps around the listener and never lets go.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ida Laurberg - Love Me Right [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Imagine tip toeing in a room as you past by you touch things; thinking of a situation but also thinking of someone you desire. Ida Laurberg new single ‘Love Me Right’ is about desire. She tries to explain to someone their mistakes and how it can be fixed if only they loved her right. Her emotional in dept vocals will have you wanting and demanding to be loved the right way.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Dawson Gamble - I Don’t Care [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I found it wryly ironic that Dawson Gamble infused so much emotion and feeling into a track titled — ‘I Don’t Care,’ and in that contradiction I discovered the beauty of this performance.

This singer/songwriter has a raw yearning, and emotive style that comes through not only in the vocal performance, but the songwriting as well. Every note seems to add to the layers of the song.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gabrielle Marlena - Lady Comforts [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The honesty of the songwriting pulled me in. Meeting a person that has a lot of good qualities, but just doesn’t have that certain spark creates a mental dilemma. In dating world where you come across so many flawed, wacky, and weird people it is hard to walk away from a seemingly normal person simply because the chemistry isn’t there, and this track unravels this thought process with intriguing raw emotion, and an engaging sound. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Alix Page - Frank [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Alix Page showcases her songwriting talent on ‘Frank’ by playing off of the Frank Ocean track ‘White Ferrari,’ while giving us a track that borrows, but does not steal from a classic hit.

Page’s vocal are tender and yearning in this ode to unrequited love. In both the lyrics and the performance, you can feel the tangible sting of a missed opportunity.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Alex Gibson - Falling for You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming at you with a true Singer/ Songwriter sound and vibe, Alex Gibson relies on an emotive vocal style to hook you in even before the emotion of the writing has a chance to wrap around you.

The sensation of crushing hard comes through loud and clear in ‘Falling for You.’ Save this one for the next time you are in the throes of lust and love so you can add it to the playlist for the one you want to show how you feel. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ella - Say It [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“ Close your eyes and allow the music to take you away. Listen to the keyboards, listen to the words and listen to Singer Songwriter Ella vocals. As she sings she is pleading with someone to reveal how they feel in her new single ‘Say It’. The song is demanding yet emotional.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

You took the music Out of my melody The words Out of my mouth I am speechless Hopelessly wondering Is there anything left here to salvage I did everything I could I’d know better if I would have Reconsidered All the warning signs Nobody knows the truth til we have face it And nobody goes where danger is on the run Say it Let it out Tell me why you’ve been here holding onto What I should’ve known Say it Let it out Save me time, don’t drag me through what’s untrue Was I not enough You took the faith Out my everything The breath Out of my lungs Am I worthless Did I mean anything Or was this just a boy being selfish I gave everything I could Wish that I had understood You would not consider every tear I cried Nobody knows the truth til we have face it So why did I go where danger was on the run Say it Let it out Tell me why you’ve been here holding onto What I should’ve known Say it Let it out Save me time, don’t drag me through what’s untrue Was I not enough All the times you said you couldn’t live without me It was never addin’ up Addin’ up, no All the times you said that you’d come back for me But baby it was not enough, not enough, for you Say it Let it out Tell me why you’ve been here holding onto What I should’ve known Say it Let it out Save me time, don’t drag me through what’s untrue Was I not enough

Sami Simon - Morning Sun [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The dark of night can conjure up a myriad of thoughts, often bleak and oppressive, but with the first rays of light it is easier to find that shred of positivity.

’Morning Sun’ the latest single from Sami Simon is all about daybreak and the effect it has on our outlook. A moody soft track, the single is uplifting without being Pollyanna in any way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

James Bourne - Everyone Is My Friend [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“James Bourne taps into a Randy Newman style of vibe with ‘Everyone Is My Friend.’ The well-written lyrics are easy to dial in and stay focused on, and the performance is just as engaging.

Labeling this single with a genre is tough, because there is a bit of Soul, a splash of Pop, and a twang of Country to this timeless sound.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Natalie Schlabs - That Early Love [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Natalie Schlabs has a breathy, tranquil vocal style on the single ‘That Early Love’ which reminds me of both Stevie Nicks and Linda Ronstadt at different times.

Lyrically, this track is about the intense feeling of new love, and how sometimes that bond grows and intensifies rather than fading along with increased familiarity. This is a song about the power of lasting love.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Maro - Carsick [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Maro has the kind of vocal talent that mesmerizes and pulls you in right from the beginning. The lyrics of ‘Carsick’ come with a tranquil intensity that adds to that attachment. This softly delivered track does not shatter the norms in anyway, but still feels unique and different by establishing a steady groove that carries you along with ease.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cory Taylor Cox - Queen of Valley City [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written about, and for, his mother-in-law, Cory Taylor Cox takes what many would dismiss as the mundane and turns it into an extraordinaire ode to a life well spent. The love and dedication, and determination shine through, and the vocal talent brings all of those assessments as well as a spirit to the track, making the songwriting shine as much as the performance.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Simon Lunche - Kiss Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a summertime vibe of bright sunshine and warmth, ‘Kiss Me’ is an ode to first loves and the idea that they truly can last forever.

Simon Lunche delivers a vocal performance that keeps the listener invested and believing in a romanticized version of their first love.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)