Daniel Arison - Selfish [Music Video Review]

“We can all get a bit too wrapped up in our own lives to be the friend or partner we should be. It is important to remind yourself that there is a big beautiful world beyond the myriad of stuff swirling inside our heads. And admitting we are not the center of the universe can certainly put things in their proper place.

Daniel Arison wrote this track after a friend called me out on ‘Selfish’ behavior and he had the time to digest the accusations. The talent and energy he utilizes in creating and performing the track just might make you take a closer look at yourself. And if not, well you’ll at least be entertained for a few minutes. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sitting on Saturn x G. Love - Rose Colored Glasses [Music Review]

“Few things spawn as many songs as newfound love and Sitting on Saturn teams up with G. Love to unleash their take on this set of emotions. ‘Rose Colored Glasses’ is all about the way a new crush can make everything in the world seem better.

This track brings an Indie Rock energy with a little bit of a Pop edge. Another fun track for your playlists dedicated to love.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jelly Crystal x Nicole Sabouné - Forever Is Not That Long [Music Review]

“Jelly Crystal and nicole Saboune team up on this Pop infused Country ode to the beautiful fragility of life and the anxiety we all fear of our impermanence. The vocals are loving and tender and this track will no doubt be shared among loving couples as a stand in for their love and fear that forever simply isn’t long enough.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JWADI - GROUND CONTROL [Music Review]

“JWADI doesn’t mess around jumping straight right into it on this Reggae heavy Alt Rock fusion. This song is a vibe. I fell in and felt it deep within me. With each subsequent listen I found new lyrical nuances to keep me coming back time and time again.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ex Habit x BURY - let me fall [Music Review]

“Newfound love and infatuation can border on obsession and that is the sentiment captured by Ex habit and BURY on their sultry new release, ‘Let Me Fall.’

The track straddles the line between Neo Soul and Contemporary R&B, but certainly has a mainstream Commercial vibe that will resonate with music lovers of all genres.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Criticals - Mother of Style [Music Review]

“This track has a nostalgic feel by design. Inspired by the ever-changing vibe of their hometown, Nashville, Tennessee, The Criticals unleash a 90’s Indie Rock vibe that certainly differs from what people think about when they first think of Nashville.

The band has long been one of my favorites here at LA on Lock and again they continue to impress with a wide range of style and sound. Just like their hometown.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Caroline Romano - IDK These Days [Music Video Review]

“Life can get overwhelming and when it does even the small so-called inconsequential things can push us to the brink.

Caroline Romano utilizes her talents as a songwriter and emotive performer to make us feel that array of emotions. ‘IDK These Days’ is a track about life weighing us down and it hits with gut-wrenching precision.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Selfish Pursuits - Don’t Let Go [Music Review]

“Selfish Pursuits offers an uplifting ode to staying in the fight with ‘Don’t Let Go.’ The Indie Pop track ahs a calm even build and delivery making it easy to focus in on the lyrical message. The arrangement allows for your mind to pause and reflect which is perfect for this kind of emotional song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Andy Frasco & The U.N. - Try Not to Die [Music Review]

“This is a fun jaunty little track about our place on this world and how we all tend to view things. Andy Frasco & The U.N. gives a little life philosophy in the most entertaining kind of way.

’Try Not to Die’ is solid advice anytime and in any situation and here it comes with some tongue-in-cheek wisdom and a very catchy musical arrangement.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PICKLE JUICE - Curbstomp {Music Review]

“PICKLE JUICE was formed by a group of ski bums. A global collection of talents based in Canada, the band conjured up a timeless brand of Rock and Roll sound. “curbstomp’ is the kind of track that would have been a hit anytime over the last three decades so get in early and help start spreading the world about this fun and energetic band. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Juliet Hawkins - What If [Music Review]

“Juliet Hawkins has that kind of raw and tender vocal talent that grabs a listener from the very first word. Fans of Brandi Carlile will hear some similarities especially in the heartbreaking tender moments. ‘What If’ is a question we’ve all asked so the emotions are highly relatable and well delivered.

I did feel a bit less of the emotion as the track progressed but this is still a track I will return to for subsequent listens.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

PHWOAR - Waiting for the Sun [Music Review]

“Turmoil and strife seem to be the new normal in this increasingly divisive world. Music is a salve for many of us and this track fits the current mood of so many quite well. I’ll turn it over to the band PHWOAR and let them explain where their new single , ‘Waiting for the Sun,’ comes from.

”This is a song about resilience. It explores hope as a form of rebellion and learning to find strength in times of weakness. In the UK, January 20 (this song’s release date) is known as Blue Monday, which is supposedly the most depressing day of the year (coincidentally in 2025, it is also the day of the US presidential inauguration). Blue Monday was concocted to sell you stuff, using people’s mental health as an excuse to do so. This song is a reminder that mental health is not something to be made light of in order to sell holidays and stuff. It’s also a reminder to ourselves and anybody going through difficult times that the lowest ebb is never a constant. There’s always light after the darkness. Sometimes we’re just forced into waiting for the sun. x”

This song and its intent should resonate for many as we delve into an unpredictable era.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ian Abel - Not Our Song [Music Review]

“Ian Abel unleashes this cheeky track about axing that troublesome ex. ‘Not Our Song’ is a fun ode to saying so long.. Abel is A Brooklyn native and a fast rising icon of the LGBQT+ scene though this track certainly has relevancy and punch for all of us. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Zach Santos - Something Good [Music Review]

“Zach Santos explores the idea of making something that started as a casual thing, into more of a regular thing with ‘Something Good.’ The uplifting vibe and honest energy carry the track and hey we never know where lasting love is going to come from so why not remain upbeat and on the lookout.

This song simply feels good for the heart and soul.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Gio - One More Night [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“What I love about this track is its bold confidence. Gio takes chances with a performance that straddles the line between an Emo Alt Rock vibe and a Rap flow. The lyrical build is well rendered and the emotion comes through in genuine fashion.

That said this is a track that requires a bit of patience as the speedy delivery makes it tricky in parts to discern the lyrics and stay with the build in that regard. This is definitely one of those track that grows on you and means more with each subsequent listen. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lisa Heller - U LIKE THAT [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lisa Heller utilizes her vocal talent and energy to unleash ‘U LIKE THAT.’ The track is about an ongoing relationship that both parties know isn’t going anywhere but hey fun is fun while it lasts and sometimes those urges take over our common sense.

The high energy track has a Commercial edge and is right at home in the Alt Pop landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JESSIA - I'm Not Gonna Cry [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“JESSIA unleashes a POp masterpiece with ‘I’m NOt Gonna Cry.’ The emotion and lyrical range of the track gave me Freddie Mercury vibes.

I’m not saying JESSIA or this track sounds exactly like QUEEN, because the styles differ. This is definitely a Pop song, but there is a bigger more complex edge to her talent, and the way the track did the unexpected while showcasing massive talent definitely had the flair not many artists can pull off.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Old Man Jones - Never Wake Up [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rock-n-Roll ain’t dead but damn is it hard to find these days. Old Man Jones is looking to remedy that with their latest album. ‘Never Wake Up’ is the second single from Shine Your Light.

Founded by John Amoriello, a founding member of the Heavy Metal band, From Nothing which disbanded after Covid. Old Man Jones is more straight up Rock & Roll and this single is a hard charging ride that stands out in the best of ways among the current musical landscape.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Joshua Golden - The Moon Is A Spaceship [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Loving someone and watching them struggle with mental health issues is a gut-wrenching thing to do. Joshua Golden highlights the track with a touch of wry humor and a whole universe worth of compassion. ‘The Moon Is A Spaceship’ takes a tangible look at a journey fraught with pitfalls and dangers, but man is it absolutely full of humanity.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Alba Rose - Sunshine [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Alba Rose unleashes some ‘Sunshine’ with her Neo-Soul single. The hard drum beat did get in the way for me at times but her smooth vocals still carried the day and I could feel the golden warmth of the sun on my face as I listened to her performance. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger