The Gravity Drive - What Is Love? [Music Video Review] October 21, 2020 by Kreadiv Kesh in Music Videos, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Shown in hidden colors, The Gravity Drive shows the silhouettes of a man and woman . The group’s new single is based on ‘What Is Love’. In a questionable tone they play scenarios in hopes of discovering ‘What Is Love’. You never see them but their personality and talent can be displayed in their movement.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Limón Limón - Northern California [Review] October 20, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track brings the California coastal vibes as it dives into the emotions of returning to a place that you once called home. No matter the years, facing who you once were is no easy task and this set of lyrics delivers the emotions of attempting to do just that. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Broken Witt Rebels - Birmingham - The Digbeth Mix [Review] October 20, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Broken Witt Rebels pay tribute to their hometown with ‘Birmingham,’ a track that comes with a mystical brand of reverence that seeps into every word delivered. The track falls in that Americana, Indie Rock spectrum of sounds, but stands out for its genuine emotion and pacing that simply takes the listener along for a journey of retrospection and nostalgia.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
ØZWALD - Fair Thee Well [Review] October 16, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “I like the blending of the Retro 60s vibe, with the contemporary mood this set of lyrics left me with. The track stays mellow throughout, though it well established an emotional brand of melancholy that served the song well. The smooth harmonies and easy groove melodically make it an easy track to stay with and fall into.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Danny Wright - RECKLESS [Review] October 16, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Punk, Alternative “A track of unrest and insecurity, ‘Reckless’ is the kind of song that seems to reach inside our minds and put to words the very thoughts permeating in our brains. The build and vocal delivery is spot on with the lyrical build. Danny Wright pulls you in and holds you there from start to finish with this rising crescendo on this single. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Arms Akimbo - Dizzy [Review] October 09, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Indie Pop, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Life on the road is not easy for any band or touring act, and yet the allure and call is inescapable. LA Indie Rock band, Arms Akimbo, takes a dive into those aspects with their latest single, ‘Dizzy.’ A smooth melody and infectious lyrical build makes you almost feel the wheels rolling beneath you as you sit back and miss about everything back at home, while still mesmerized by the allure of that next stop on tour.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Maella - Melting Butter [Review] October 09, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Coming at you with an alluring, almost sinister charm, Maella seduces the listener with a smooth vocal delivery that invites you in before the darker emotions grab your heart and squeeze. ’Melting Butter’ is a brooding track that for me conjured thoughts of a time in Rock music when grit and passion overshadowed glossy production and million dollar smiles.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Loudmouth Lisa - Ata Corina [Review] October 08, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Straight up rock guitar, like you rarely hear these days ,ushers in this track which offers a unique sound and delivery style to lay out the wryly sharp lyrics. You could call this metal for the jaded thinking man, or supercharged Rock and Roll for those unafraid to take a stimulating lyrical journey into the minds of the pissed off and the fed up. Maybe those are one and the same, but Loudmouth Lisa is clearly a band that doesn’t really give a shit what you call their message — long as you heed the words.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Zachary Kibbee - Somewhere To Put My Gold [Music Video Review] October 02, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Alternative, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Take a little 70s Funk, toss in some old school Magnum P.I. vibesn and coat it all in straight up Rock and Roll and you have a good idea what is going on with Zachary Kibbee on his latest track, ‘Somewhere To Put My Gold.’ The video is straightforward, but adds to the retro feel with its credit style. This is a track that just lodges in your bones and allows you to straight up rock out. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Saint Chaos x Sam Tinnesz - Walk [Review] October 02, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “A motivational Rock Anthem that belongs on your workout, or simply your — get out of bed and kick ass, playlist. Saint Chaos delivers a a touch of Imagine Dragons to the sound, though ‘Walk’ offers its own unique edge for sure. The energy and determination shine through on the track and I dare you to listen without feeling a jolt of adrenaline come your way.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Cold Coke Hogan x Aras Davis - Why Am I Like This? [Review] October 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “A trippy modern track about the act of self-doubt and self-loathing. We all second guess ourselves, and often take that too far by getting deep inside our heads. There are hints of classic Rock and thread that will remind some of Biliie Eilish, but overall this track creates its own sound and mood that is captivating in a dark and brooding kind of way. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Blame My Youth - Fantastic [Music Video Review] September 26, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Alternative, Indie Rock, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “In a time when much of the music is about angst and tension, this track offers a nice contradiction. Although they are delivered with the edge and passion usually reserved for anger, the lyrics of this track are actually quite positive and it is refreshing to hear such a big bold declaration in pure Rock glory. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Love Ghost - Pillz (the sky is falling) [Music Video Review] September 25, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “A brooding moody track with both lyrical grit, and a heavy emotional set of vocals. Blending a slow tempo Hip-Hop flow with an Alternative Rock sound, and a vocal delivery that gives the track a sharp edge, this performance brings enough variation within the arrangement to hold your intrigue through this heavy emotional track. Love Ghost is a hard band to pin down by genre, but the talent looms large in the dark shadows of this single.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Folkus - Blue [Review] September 23, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Folk Rating: 4 out of 5 “Coming with a threadbare and almost pained, brand of vocal delivery, Folkus unleashes the emotion behind ‘Blue’ with an intensity that is captivating. The melody and lyrics play perfect roles in the progression and build, but it is the vocal performance here that hooks you and refuses to let go.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
dezabel - Fade Away [Review] September 19, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Contemporary R&B, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Combining the the talents of LA area singer and songwriter, Jazelle Paris, and Zurich based producer, Bilgi, ‘Fade Away’ is a mesmerizing track that I ironically expect to do anything but fade away. Paris not only supplied the vocals but also wrote the lyrics and melodies to the Electro Pop track that captures the fleeting thoughts and feelings of a high octane relationship slipping away into the night.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Nothing but a Nightmare - Problems Being Cool [Review] September 18, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rock, Commercial, Alternative, Indie Rock, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “A pure Rock anthem for anyone that has ever had trouble playing it cool. Nothing but a Nightmare delivers an energetic true rock sound, and their latest single ‘Problems Being Cool’ defies the traditional cliches of the genre, to bring forth a track with both heart and grit. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Confetti - People Suck (2020 Remix) [Review] September 15, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Pop, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “True to their name, Confetti comes at you with a party song. ‘People Suck’ might not be a conventional party song, but then there hasn’t been a damn thing conventional about 2020, so perhaps this is the party song we all need right now. This track is easy to belt out and song along with, and despite the revelry in style, it comes with some serious observations and thoughts. Cue this up as a barroom anthem for the day we can all gather together and drink once again.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
VENMC x ALI - Bunker Bitch [Review] September 14, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Capturing the anger of both a generation and much of a nation, VENMC and ALI pull no lyrical punches while calling out Trump, as well as those who still support the Reality TV personality turned politician. ’Bunker Bitch’ takes on the cowardice and bigotry of the man and administration directly giving us a hard-edged track rife with passion and indignation.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Neon Dreams - Don't Go Hating Me Now [Review] September 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Watching a friend fall and slip into a bad place is tough, but so is reaching out and helping them by speaking the truth. In those instances the friend can resent you and the help you are offering. Neon Dream offers a Pop Rock refrain of this phenomenon. ‘Don’t Go Haring Me Now’ is full of heart and hope and human kindness but also comes with emotion and talent and energy.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Rory D'Lasnow - An American Lie [Review] September 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Has the American Dream turned into ‘An American Lie?’ Rory D’Lasnow single, highlights the fact that for many, the ideals that landed this country the label of ... land of the free, and home of the brave, now feel are so badly tarnished that the dream feels more like a nightmare for many people. Of course this theme is very prevalent in music during these troubled times. And rightfully so. This track stood out for me for the clever wordplay of the writing, as well as the heartfelt delivery.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)