CIAN DUCROT - FUCKED UP ALL THE TIME [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“The feeling that you are failing others is a hard one to take, but when you feel like you are failing yourself, that pain is all the worse. And sometimes you can’t escape one of those facts, without intensifying the other. This single by Cian Ducrot is all about the demands of expectations others put on you and balancing them with the things that make you happy.

The haunting and emotional vocals here are a huge part of the story, but lyrically this track emotes from the very beginning. And the imagery of the video, of one man trying to do it all, proves very effectual as well. This is a piece of music that will truly make you stop and think about your own direction. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Joey Bread - I Love Quarantine [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you are looking for a laugh to get you through this current state of the world then Joey Bread has a sliced you off a track full of self-deprecating humor.

Catchy and funny in the same way ‘Pretty Fly For A White Guy’ was, ‘I Love Quarantine’ is a hearty offering complete with Bread spreading on the fun side of being isolated at home nice and thick.

The video adds another layer to the lyrics and will help keep that smile on your face as you listen to the silver lining of our new lifestyle.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

MOLI - So Jealous [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The envy of others via social media, and social stalking fueled by jealousy. These are the twin emotions MOLI calls upon in ‘So Jealous,’ and both come through in every word. At times the vocal flow has a ZZ Ward meets Elle King vibe, but at other times it feels more like a pure Pop refrain. Either way the track is quite entertaining and engaging. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

JST FRNDS - Long Nights [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track has a fun light vibe to it though lyrically there is a heavier emotional underbelly that makes it even more interesting.

The video brings an ever darker tone, though not without its own bit of wry humor. The video is a short film in its own right and the track could be taken several different ways depending on the listeners own emotions and experiences. This is a project that surprises you with its many nuances and complexities and is well worth your time to listen and watch.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Aiden Myers - Help Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Aiden Myers drops a a lyrically vulnerable track that captures the fragile meant state of one suffering from anxiety and doubt. This well-produced tracks strikes a balance between commercial appeal within the beat and melody and a tender dark side to the songwrting. Performance wise Myers lays his emotions out there and this gives the single a strong allure that engages and makes you empathize as well as reflect on your own times when you need something, anything to ‘Help Me.’

The chorus offers a nice hook without growing overly repetitive.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Armaan Malik - Control [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Do you believe in magic? Or do you believe that someone can have emotional control over you?

Artist Armaan Malik new single ‘Control’ is an example of a man who is controlled by the essence and beauty of a woman. He explains how he has tried to move. on and be with other people but he continues to be drawn to her. With a bad boy rock star look the video is a bit exotic in its setting as he follows his love interest.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Reggie Becton -"Y.O.U" [ Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Even when I was torn between liking the song and not liking the song the intro is what kept me listening. It was something so soulful in how he said my eyes are green and my mood is blue; even when he song the color of his beenie it was so moving to make colors sound like a melody. The visual is a emotional battle but we all have experienced that. There are a few cut images of what he is actually thinking about but he does get personal and express himself through his new sing Y.O.U ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Jwalt - Where You Been [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hailing from Oakland, California, 18-year-old emcee, Jwalt is brash, confidant, and talented. Here he offers up an answer to the question of ‘Where You Been?’

Lyrically the flow answers the questions about his personal life, as well as the trajectory of building a career.

The truth is he’s been working on his craft, opening for NAS, and being featured on Sirius XM, but fans do not always see all the work going on behind the scenes so this track sheds some light on the hustle, the emotion, the passion it takes to rise to the top of any artistic endeavor.

The flow here is direct and energetic, with authentic honesty driving the lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

DYLYN - Something To Lose [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track was a slow burn for me. The vocal talent shines early, but I did not immediately connect with the emotion of the track and I expected the chorus to explode. But, ‘Something To Lose’ surprised me by going the other direction and suddenly that down shift in tempo brought home the emotion of the track.

Lyrically the single imparts the feeling of that gut punch when this time, perhaps for the first time, you are invested in a relationship, and fear that it could disappear.

One is left with the sense that normally the narrator is the aloof one, all to eager to drift away after a casual hook-up but this time, she is the one trying to hold on. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rachel Croft - We Are [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a dark heavy track with brooding lyrics calling for a change to the word ‘We Are’ living in.

Written before the proliferation of the virus and our current situation, the track feels almost prophetic now.

Heavy emotional vocals unfurl and underneath them intermingled with the powerful lyrics is an air of hope and faith, though this song is still a hard punch to the senses.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sam Creighton - Go to Hell [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Can I get an hallelujah for this Sinful Pop sermon?

Sam Creighton combines an edgy attitude with sharp, and at times witty, lyrics to create this track preaching against the judgmental and righteously indignant.

The imagery of the video adds to the attitude of the track and the overall experience is a fun one ... unless perhaps you are one of the pious critics of others people’s brand of fun.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jade Hilton - I Would [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a no frills track, but don’t take that to mean the single does not deliver an emotional impact. Jade Hilton stands alone with her guitar, and pours her soul into the delivery of the lyrics. You can feel this fact in every last note and her soft, genuine vocals pull you in and hold your attention. Lyrically the single is a plea not to take her or their relationship for granted.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

SOUL PUSH - CALYPSO [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“ Imagine closing your eyes and allowing the music and melody to take over you. This is what SOUL PUSH displays in their new visual ‘Calypso’. You can see the group having on blindfolds but that is just to remind you to listen with your ears and heart as they push your soul with their music.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

BYNX - Ride With You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A straight up Rap love song that comes at you hard and genuine. BYNX has the vocal chops to deliver an old school flow, or to sing a chorus with a touch of tenderness. I appreciate that these lyrics are meaningful and emotional without slipping into an overly sappy or sentimental way.

This is a love song you can play directly to your girl and make her smile, or while riding with your boys and not face ridicule. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ryan Cassata - Catcher in the Rye [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Dylan, Guthrie, Petty, Isbell. Elements of these great songwriters, and others, come through in the vulnerable raw lyrics of Ryan Cassata. The melody too has been created to covey the inner thoughts of this talented artist.

Sure the masters of the craft have influenced Cassata, but I would be remiss not to proclaim the individuality as well. ‘Catcher in the Rye’ is a song about falling in love after a traumatic past filled with violent hate crimes and bullying in Cassata’s conservative hometown on Long Island. Cassatta explained more by saying ‘In this music video, I go back to my hometown (Bay Shore, NY) and visit some of the places that hurt me the most as a young queer/trans person.’

The video is bleak in the gray tones, but in the words there is a hope, a spirit that is part defiant and part relief, a sense of I’ve survived and now it is my time to thrive.

This recording was done live, without embellishments or retakes and this fact only adds to artistry as we listen to a true songwriter bare their soul. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Teenear - Dolla $igns [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The beat is smooth and relaxing. Pictured in gold and covered in pearls Teenear’s new visual for ‘Dolla $igns’ is a love song but she reassures her hustle also. From the studio to the photo shoot, she shows her self working while telling us her perspective and feelings about her love.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Lourdiz - Suicide Down Ft. Lil Gotit [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lourdiz is a rising star to watch. Her vocal flow hits hard where it needs to, and settles into an infectious rhythm at other junctures of this track. The writing captures to dynamics of an artistic lifestyle quite well, as the struggle for the hustle is not a linear path, but an up and down battle that is not for the weak of or timid.

The fact Lourdiz is but 18 years old , and has this and so much else figured out bodes well for the talented star in the making.

Lil Gotit joins in here giving this track even more depth and variation.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Chelsea Collins - Used to be (L.O.V.E.) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Coming in with an almost childlike tone, Chelsea Collins delivers a vocal uniqueness that catches you off-guard. And just when you have made your peace with this surprise, she takes it to another level with an energetic Pop fused interlude.

This is an artist with the power to captivate with a single line, and this is a track that manages to do exactly that over and over again. ”

— 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)