Jon McCollin - Scenarios [Review] January 22, 2022 by Kreadiv Kesh in R&B, Alternative “We often play different scenarios in our head just to escape reality. Jon McCollin “Scenarios” allows us to musically see how life can be. The vocal tone relaxes your mind to visually create every lyric and relate it to your own scenario. ” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
Wild Giants - If God Only Knew [Review] January 14, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “The gravel in the vocals provides instant emotional connection, and while the track does have a slight retro feel of the mid 90s to early 200s sound it does so more as a homage than a reliance. That gives the track a fresh contemporary feel on top of that familiarity. The emotional resonance carries the day and a down tempo shift at the end of the song really brought it all home for me. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
RIVER - Someday [Review] January 14, 2022 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative “Nostalgia and melancholy ride tandem in this track from Hamburg’s RIVER. ‘Someday’ is the kind of track that can mean different things to you from day to day depending on your own mood and headspace, but no matter what you take away the easy groove and clever writing will engage you and pull you deep inside the rhythm of this Indie Rock effort. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Khamari - Doctor, My Eyes [Review] November 14, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, R&B, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “A soft acoustical track of heartfelt vulnerability, ‘Doctor, My Eyes’ is not the track you might expect, but it is the track you need. Khamari showcases his artistic talents in both the delivery and the writing of this emotionally laden single. This is a song you feel as much as hear, and it definitely conveys a mood of melancholy and hopeful observance than we have all felt from time to time.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Faded Rose - Judgment Day [Review] November 12, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Americana, Alternative, Country, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “Faded Rose delivers a sound that falls somewhere between Lucinda Williams and Maranda Lambert. Perhaps a touch more commercial than Lucinda, but still with that jaded and ticked off attitude. Faded Rose is not quite as commercial as Lambert, but still possesses that same strong feminine determination that has made Miranda a star. ‘Judgement Day’ is a well-written track with emotion and musical punch to make you feel it deep in your bones.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Zo - Never Meant [Review] November 08, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Zo delivers power and passion and of course talent on this track. “Never Meant’ is the track Stevie Nicks and Florence and the Machine would team up to create and the emotion is tangible in every single line. The passion lands with razor sharp talons and grabs on like a raptor intent to instill its will. That might sound harsh, but this track is anything but. Simply intense and purposeful.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Sophie Powers x DE'WAYNE - Greed [Review] November 06, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sophie Powers is pissed off, and she brings in DE’WAYNE to help her call out the ‘Greed’ of those who have left her in this state. Think of a angrier and edgier Gwen Stefani and you have a solid idea of of what Powers brings to the table. This track is an anthem you can belt out when the world has backed you into a corner. Solid Alternative Rock with an edge and hint of Pop Punk/Hip-Hop fusion.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kellen Joseph - Shade of Blue [Review] November 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “LA artist, Kellen Joseph offers up this emotive and vulnerable Rock track dealing with grief. The emotive vocal talent brings to life the well-written track that instills the sense of loss and confusion when the entire world seems to be moving on and you are still stuck in that place of sorrow. This track has just a hint of Hip-Hop vibe, but really is more in line with the Alternative Rock sound of the late 90s or early 2000’s.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Maximilian Thanksalot - Toe on the Trigger [Review] November 03, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Punk, Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sneaky clever writing and attitude lift this track from Maximillian Thanksalot above the fray. ‘Toe on the Trigger’ is an in your face Pop Punk track that blends intense lyrics and hard guitar licks to create a vibe that carries the day.This is the kind of track you have to give a few listens to pick up on everything being laud down but you won’t mind at all. A true mood setter. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
ROE x Ciaran Lavery - Destroyer [Review] November 03, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “A dark brooding Indie Rock sound that hit me like Joan Jett fronting Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The emotion is present in the delivery as well as the music, and the writing insures that you have little choice but fall in and feel this one start to finish. ROE and Ciaran Lavery team to bring the track to life, and the combination works to perfection on this single.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
BEXX - Daydream [Music Video Review] October 21, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Alternative, Indie Rock Rating : 4 out of 5 “What are you willing to do for love? That seems to be what BEXX is asking on this supercharged Indie Rock trip that is both surreal and exotic in a psychedelic kind of way. The video adds to all of that as well and in conjunction with the message of the lyrics gives this complete project a polished intent that few songs/video combinations offer. This is the type of project that sticks in your mind and instills new meaning with each watch/listen.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
ODDA - Mama [Music Video Review] October 15, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “ODDa grew up on an island off the south of England and that landscape feels much like the tone and vibe of his music. There is a soft beauty and an underlying harshness that speaks of crashing waves and win swept shoreline. The track is heavy on emotion and feels all consuming much like the salty spray of the sea when you stand near it. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Mr. Max - I Hate My Life [Review] October 10, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Punk, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Falling somewhere between The Beastie Boys and Weezer, Mr. Max brings nothing but attitude with ‘I Hate My Life.’ Riding a hard edge beat and build, the track hooks and holds with a set of vocals that demand your attention. The writing commands its own level of engagement as it is sharp and pointed and hits its mark throughout the build.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
The Late Greats - Better Then [Review] October 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Pop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Indie Rock perhaps even more so that most genres, is about capturing an attitude and vibe that establishes both a song and the band’s identity. The Late Greats are new to me, so this is the first track I’ve heard and already, I feel like I have a sense who and what the band is. For me, listening to this song was like getting to know a new person that I straight away think is going to be a very good friend. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Charlotte Sands - Every Guy Ever [Review] October 01, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Punk, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Charlotte Sands could very well be the next big Pop Punk sensation. ‘Every Guy Ever’ is a track that will speak to anyone who has ever ventured out in the cold dark dating world. Yeah, here it is pointed to idiot guys but we all know it is tough for any gender to find that person who is honest, trustworthy and right for them. The emotion and energy of this track ring true and comes with several amen type moments. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Artikal Sound System - You're An Asshole [Review] October 01, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Ska, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sometimes the high road is no fun at all and Artikal Sound System has taken that idea tot he next level with ‘You’re An Asshole,’ which tells it exactly like it is. Far too often the assholes of the world skate along from victim to victim without ever being called to the carpet. This track lays it all out there, and will no doubt be sent as a ‘dedication’ to more than one taker in this world on their way out the door after being found out. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Confetti - Emo [Review] September 17, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Indie Electronic, Indie Pop, Indie Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Confetti gives us a track that speaks to the age when you are caught between the free spirit of your early 20s and the stage where responsibility and obligation leave you wondering when and why life went wrong. The lyrics are wryly poignant in their humor but they land with deliberate emotion as well. ‘Emo’ is that song that feels like it was written specifically for you when in fact, it delivers a near universal appeal. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Tom Mackell - Gone [Review] August 26, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Alternative, Americana Rating: 4 out of 5 “Tom Mackell honors his mother and all of those who touch our lives and are ‘Gone’ far too early. The emotive track serves as a good reminder without dipping into the morose or forced sentimentality. The track has an Americana vibe and for those not familiar of with the genre think of Springsteen and Petty with a dash of bluesy country to the overall sound. This is simply a well-written and meaningful song delivered with heart.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Transmission Lost - One Way or Another [Review] August 13, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Transmission Lost offers a big bold Indie Rock sound. Leaning toward the Alternative or even Grunge sound f the early 90s, the band offers strong melodies and a lyrical build that sweeps the listener up and in. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Transmission Lost deftly utilizes influences of varying genres and sounds, to fuse together a rock and roll sound that is engaging and immersive. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Otev - In My Head [Music Video Review] August 06, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Contemporary R&B, Autotune, Alternative Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “The build and progression of this track worked for me, both vocally and the beat production. Lyrically this is one that simply resonated and made me nod my affirmations as I listened. The R&B groove gives the arrangement an easy flow and the production dynamics add just enough to give the while thing a contemporary feel.I was left wanting a bit more as the song felt short overall and could have went deeper in the writing, but all art should leave you wanting more and this one certainly did that for me.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger