Stellar Ash - Watch Me Go [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Straight up Rock and Roll that comes at you with attitude and something to say. This track is well-written and the performance engaging. The single stood out for me not only for the talent behind it, but the sheer fact it did not go out of its way to replicate a sound that came before it. Far too often modern Rock music is heavily reliant on the ghosts of the past, but here I got the sense that Stellar Ash simply were expressing themselves as they saw fit. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Blank Statues - Chameleon [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track from Blank Statues conjures up the 90’s sound with hints of Nirvana, The Black Crowes, and Soundgarden all in the mix, but like the title, the single is a bit of a ‘Chameleon’ as it progresses along giving us a soulful rock and roll refrain early before settling into a sick guitar solo that then ushers in a Cobain-esque outro that stick with you. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Pat Rossi - Anxiety [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pat Rossi comes in with a vocal style that feels part of a huge rock ballad before his solo performance settles into a more of an emotional rock vibe. There is a definite frayed feeling to the varying parts, and given that lyrical the track is a look at anxiety this is no doubt the exact effect Rossi was hoping for in the arrangement.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Yorxe - Hide Your Bodies [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Yorxe stacks the lines of these lyrics up like the proverbial bodies she sings about. Coming at you with a sinister vibe, her performance is intriguingly dark, while the beat and melody feels both Industrial and pop like at times. The track begs for a video as it stirs imagery all on its own and would be even more potent with the perfect visuals to punctuate the aura heavy track.

The timing of this track could harm it’s potential as the thought of stacking bodies has taken on new meaning in recent weeks, but for those able to step outside of the news cycle and appreciate music on its own merits this is a track that speaks for itself. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The High 90's - Lights Out [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A dark brooding Rock song bringing a traditional classic sound, ‘Lights Out’ is a lyrical masterpiece. Capturing the plight of depression, this well-written track gives a glimpse of what it feel likes to be drowning in your own thoughts and emotions.

The hard rocking beat often gives way to soaring guitars on this track, but the transitions are balanced and everything about this one conveys the emotions behind the single. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Anthony Vince - One of Your Shows [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Anthony Vince has true vocal versatility which allows him to sing with a Commercial vibe, and then slip seamlessly into a Hip-Hop flow. Both works quite well on this track. There is an element of 90’s Alternative to the sound as well.

’One Of Your Shows’ is lyrically about coping with the end of a relationship, and while the writing certainly has its moments, the strength of this track is Vince’s diverse vocal capabilities. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Girl Wilde - Big Fuckup Energy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The songwriting here is intriguing from the start. This track details the self doubt we have all felt and the bending we often do to fit in.

The vocals are passionate and soft early on, before the harder, angst filled chorus drops in. The track goes through a myriad of sounds and vibes just as our minds do when we are overthinking. The transitions are smooth and feel natural, and this Indie Pop track has done a masterful job of simplifying complex emotions.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Latir - Wallflower [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Latir has given us a uniquely modern throwback and yes, I am aware those words do not belong together in most cases, but ‘Wallflower’ is not most cases.

With a smooth vocal style that feels like an ode to the crooners of old, and a beat that ranges from almost Latin to Do-Wop to Hip-Hip — with even a splash of EDM dynamics the track really does bring a wealth of sounds and styles together.

Perhaps the most important element is that in the video and the sound it is clear that everyone involved is having a good time and this in turn makes it a fun watch and listen for us. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

MOLTENO - Tripping Up [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“MOLTENO is not an easy artist to categorize and this latest single, ‘Tripping Up,’ is no different in that regard. Warm and smooth vocals bring us lyrics that are cool and aloof — yet emotionally engaging.

There are R&B elements to the arrangement and performance as well as a contemporary Pop vibe throughout.

The imagery of the video matches the single in that it is both dark and distant and yet somehow manages to make you lean forward and immerse yourself in the feeling behind the music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

penelope - slippin' to you [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The overwhelming sense of loss is a tricky little thing that can hit you long after the fact, and from the most innocuous angles. This track is about a lost love, and the emotions that hit you out of the blue as a result. The writing here make your realize how close the grief over a relationship’s end, is very similar to the grieving loss of a departed love one. Expect, there is an added bit of awkward hurt when you are left to wonder what that person is doing at any given moment. Re they thinking of you? Do they ever think of you? And they are right there at hand, often only blocks away, or perhaps on the other side of town.

This track delivers such complexities of the mind in soft Pop glory that at times reminded me of vintage Joni Mitchel, with a modern vibe to make it feel all the more relevant.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

We Adore You - Yesterday's Grace [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A straightforward rock sound with hints of Dylan and Petty in the sound. Lyrically, the track is about appreciating a relationship even after its times has ended, making this a song about personal growth and reflection. The melody adds to the the vibe here, and the single is one that you hear and can’t help but remember your own past. The words unfurl like a tapestry of memories of what might have been, and what actually was. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Make You Cry - From the Loving Hands of Our Creator [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Don’t be fooled by the title of Make You Cry’s latest single, ‘From The Loving Hands Of Our Creator’ into thinking this is an uplifting bolt of inspirational lightness. Perhaps the song does offer its own brand of inspiration, but make no mistake this is a dark and brooding rock song.

The vocals are nuanced and emotional and the video offers up some evil rabbit imagery to add an element of appropriate weirdness to the metaphor of choice that the lyrics pose. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elliott Taylor - Cali (feat. Cut Chemist) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The vibe here pulls you in and holds you, especially if you are lucky enough to call ‘Cali’ home. The melody and beat have a few surprises, and I dig that old school scratch added in there. The vocals are soft and steady and deliver the message with a clarity that can only be expressed by true belief in what you are saying.

This is a track to sit back and groove to why you smoke and reflect on your California lifestyle.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Katie Toupin - Don't Wanna Die [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“No, ‘Don’t Wanna Die’ is not about the virus dominating the news cycle as well as most of our thoughts, but the sentiment is timely just the same.

Actually, the lyrics were penned about the need for sobriety, and the single comes via a unique vocal tone delivered by Katie Toupin. There is just a hint of Amy Winehouse, both lyrically and musically, but you can feel the genuineness of the words in the performance which strongly suggests personal experience, rather than fandom of another artists is at the heart of this track. That fact gives this single the power to captivate and intrigue no matter what kind of times we are living in. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

CocoRosie - Burning Down The House [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Unleashing the vibe of Edgar Allen Poe, meshed with the musical talent comparable to any Pop Diva, the sister duo of CocoRosie has created a gloriously macabre sound with ‘Burning Down the House.’

This is not cookie cutter music and could frighten the more delicate looking for mindless music to rhythmically tap the steering wheel to while stuck in traffic. This is twisted and bendy and artistic, the perfect soundtrack for all of us looking to dance in the embers of convention.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hollyy - What A Shame [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track incorporates a bit of a 50’s do wop vibe into a modern Indie Rock/ Americana sound, making it feel as if the single could be a hit across many different decades.

A slow dance track with soul and introspection behind it. You certainly will not be saying ‘What A Shame’ after giving this latest single from Hollyy a thoughtful listen.

Hollyy is an up and coming alternative soul band from Chicago.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Onk Lou - Grey Goose [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“When an artist is having fun expressing themselves it shines through in the project. Make no mistake, Onk Lou is having a hell of a lot of fun in the video for ‘Grey Goose.’

But of course when you have the mad talent that Lou possesses, it is easy to have a good time unleashing your creativity upon the world. Just when you think you know what this track is and how it is going to progress the vibe shifts and surprises.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hotel Mira - Speaking Off The Record [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Honest and vulnerable, Hotel Mira drops ‘Speaking Off The Record,” a track that feels as much like a diary submission as it does an intimately written song. Call it a confession if you will, but we are talking about the feelings, thoughts, and actions everyone of us feels, so this track is more about being bold and saying out loud what few have to courage to express. This is not the same as admitting a wrong, which is truly what a confession is. This is an expression of humanity and a damn entertaining one at that.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Shea Abshier & The Nighthowlers - Take Me 2 Your Hell [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Some songs just land different, and you know immediately to shut up, lean forward, and listen closer. ‘Take Me 2 Your Hell’ is such a song.

Shea Abshier & The Nighthowlers deliver an emotional set of lyrics that hits you right square in the emotional gut, like a lover in the wake of a toxic breakup, which is exactly what this track is about.

Call this rock. Call it alternative. Hell, call it Americana if you want, but the label doesn’t really matter because when the execution is this intense, the genre is nothing more than a label to slap on to what is in fact, simply damn good music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Taylor Bradshaw - Our First Date [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Taylor Bradshaw has one of those voices that can go soft and emotional, or can ratchet up and hook you with an energetic Rock vibe. Bradshaw utilizes both on ‘Our First Date,’ to bring forth that flash bulb feeling of self revelation when you realize you are about to be madly in love with a person you barely even know. The emotions of being on that precipice and deciding to step off into an unknown come through in both the performance and the lyrics”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)