Tassia Zappia - You Don't Want Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Vocally, Tassia Zappia lands somewhere between Elle King and Amy Winehouse, and in that the talented Aussie is keeping some serious company. ‘You Don’t Want Me’ is an attitude-filled slow roll, that churns with passion in the form of a pissed-off frustration that is damn near tangible within the performance. Bluesy, yet still Commercial in sound, this track is one far too many of us can relate to after being in such a relationship.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Alex Beraldo - Southern Heat [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track definitely spoke to my Texas roots. Folk, reminiscent to a blend of the late great John Prine and Todd Snider, the soft tone comes with lyrical punch and a wry bit of emotional twist. This track is not as Commercial in its sound as most of the music we share on LA on Lock, but don’t let that deter you from taking a dive in on this well-written ode to the selfish people we all know.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kath Myers - According to the Law [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Kath Myers is a bit of an enigma. Launching her foray into the music business at thirty-one, she brings a different perspective to the her writing and ‘According to the Law’ deals with the emptiness and social stigma of dating someone considerable younger.

Written about a relationship she had with a person 15 years younger than herself, and with a view into a perspective not often represented in contemporary American music the song stands out in a unique way ... You were born too late / You’re just a baby / By the time you’re in your prime I’m gonna be an old lady / But I’m in my prime today so let’s do it anyway ... she sings over sparse piano, guitar, drums and a deep seated bass line that sit back and set a deceptively grand stage for Myers’ incredible vocals to shine with a sheen that belies her relative lack of experience behind a mic.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Charlotte Jane - Refuge [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Trying to help someone you love who isn’t quite ready to be helped, can be frustrating and heartbreaking. Charlotte Jane tackles that very scenario in her new single, ‘Refuge.’

Jane says of her track, “At its core ‘Refuge’ is about the frustration of wanting to love and support someone through a tough time, but how you can’t force someone to open up to you. Especially when it’s a mental health struggle or aftershocks from a past trauma, supporting someone can feel like a spectator sport sometimes. You can see the pain playing out but you can’t get involved unless they invite you. I thought I was writing it about other people, then realised I could, subconsciously, be talking to myself.”

The track is delivered in tender, but raw vocals that enable the listener to feel every word of the frustration, pain, and hope.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

James TW - Butterflies [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The video for ‘Butterflies’ is interesting and held my attention, though for me the imagery felt oddly paired with such an emotionally personal song.

James TW clearly has the vocal chops to deliver the proper impact on this well-written song about the regret of letting that special someone slip away. Smooth and soft in that Pop singer/songwriter way, this track captivates.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kristopher James - Feelings [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“If you are a sucker for that timeless smooth groove of a soulful crooner, then Kristopher James is an artist you want to know. ‘Feelings’ takes you for a ride that feels like a drive on warm Sunday afternoon down a wide open stretch of road. It is the musical equivalent to the warm scent of sugar cookies fresh from the oven. It is comfort music in every sense of the word. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Suzie Ungerleider - Baby Blues [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some voices simply invite you in, and Suzie Ungerleider has such a talent. Formerly performing under the name Oh Susanna, this American -born, Canadian raised singer/songwriter has long been recognized as a purveyor of deeply emotional and tender offering that land in your soul. This latest track is no exception.

’Baby Blues,’ a song about how the traumatic events we witness when we’re young can haunt and indeed shape our older selves. It’s a deep subject with an upbeat punchline. “Like ghosts,” Ungerleider says, “sometimes you just need to just sit with them, feel their power, and, because they feel seen, they release their hold on you for a little while.”’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Catie Turner - Mama [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Catie Turner has the perfect voice for offering up a beautiful tribute to mothers. Mother’s Day is not too far off and if this track doesn’t leave you reflective and emotional about the one who brought you into this world and guided you along the way, then my heart goes out to you because that means fate cheated you out of the opportunity to truly experience a mother’s love. This sweet and tender ode speaks to the heart.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Satellite Station - Only Human [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Satellite Station captures the fragility of being human on this track. ‘Only Human’ is a soft and tender ode to the struggles we all face. Delivered in a singer/songwriter vibe, the lyrics are emotional and reflective but also come with an underlying optimism and inspiration that feels invigorating as you listen. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Marie Naffah - Cold Water [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Marie Naffah’s has a brand new EP dropping today. ‘Cold Water’ is but one track on her Golden State EP with each song offering a different reflection on a trip to America’s West Coast.

The Londoner does a marvelous job of capturing the texture and flavor of a road trip while adding in the emotional yearning of love. The rich, sultry vocals shine and draw the listener in tight. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Daniel Blake - Goin Home [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A simple song of complex emotions and deep reaffirmation, ‘Goin Home’ utilizes an emotive vocal style from Daniel Blake to stand out from the fray. The writing is sharp and full of lines that provoke reminiscence and a yearning for comfort and calm. Blake makes it all work by infusing the performance with a soft determination.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jax Anderson x K.Flay - I Don't Care Anymore [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Straight forward honesty always works in art, and this well-written song certainly qualifies in every definition. Something about this hit me as Lorde meets Foster the People. Sure its a bit tough to categorize, but pigeon holes belong under pigeons and nowhere else. This song soared for me no matter how anyone wants to define it. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Wax Owls - By My Side [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Straddling that line behind a Commercial sound and Indie Folk, LA based group, Wax Owls, have that clean emotional delivery that hooks listeners across a wide spectrum of tastes. ‘By My Side’ is a nostalgic look at utopian childhood and simply makes you happy to listen. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

912KEEM -LONG LIVE ABE [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A year has past but the hurt, trauma, healing and fight still exists. 912Keem releases their new song Long Live Abe. What started out as was walk/run through the city lead to a violent ending. 912Keem not only walks us through their view but they musically connect us to their emotional feelings. A lot of weight is carried but no one ever sees the scars. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Follow 912 KEEMInstagram: 912keemTwitter: 912keemLong Live Ahmaud Arbery

mae krell - are you sure? [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“We all love to discover those powerful new voices and then share them with our friends. Here is your chance to be the musical explorer in your core group and share an important new voice. mae krell delivers talent and vulnerability that rises above what most artists are capable of.

Written on the two year anniversary of their sobriety, “are you sure?” explores the low points that make you forget the progress you’ve already made. The emotion is temporary, but it’s painful to overcome. Sung with the tremor of someone on the verge of tears, the single is raw in the most intimate way, with Mae’s distinctive voice wavering over textured guitar and charango and piano accents. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lauren Spring - I Remember You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lauren Spring has a timeless voice that carries hints of Ronstadt, Emmylou, and the entire Wet Coast Folk/Country sound of the 60s and 70s. That is not to say this track has a retro vibe, because Spring infuses plenty of modern touches to make “I Remember You’ stand out and above so many artists trying to put modern spins on classic sounds from that era. The smooth steady progression and lyrical flow feels like a warm hug from a friend on this track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

AJ Smith - Roommate [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track has a fun light air about it but still brings an honest and earnest vulnerability. AJ Smith is having fun here with a track written to ask his girlfriend to move in with him. the ukulele driven track tips its hat to classic doo wop, as well as other influences, and ends up just be an entertaining delight.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

mehro - chance with you [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a soft, Bedroom Pop style of songwriting, mehro gives is a track about regret. ‘Chance With You’ is a reflective song about wanting to turn back the clock and take that shot you were too afraid of at the time. The vocals are full of yearning angst and you can feel the regret in every line. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

STF - September Skies [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Simple honesty in the trademark of this track by STF. Genuine emotions are to be found not only in the actual songwriting, but the tender delivery as well. Reminded me a bit of Phillip Phillips. Add this one to your reflective playlists for those times you want to take a calm memory trip into your past.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Yoji - If I Had Only Known [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The soft and smooth vocal build kept me on the hook early on as Yoji built into the emotion of this soulful ballad. The gift of hindsight would be nice, and sometimes all we can do is trust that good things are coming, but this track offers a sweet refrain for those thankful of where they are now. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)