1blackfrend - Gaslight [Music Review]

“Written about an ex friend, 1blackfriend turned a bad experience into a great song. ‘Gaslight’ is about quietly be controlled.

”I knew something was wrong, but stayed numb and compliant. this song is me realizing how easily my life was shaped by someone who never asked permission.”

The Punk anthem comes in with energy and delivers its lyrical blow the way good righteous Punk should. 1blackfriend is poised for greatness given the strength of this their sophomore release.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Fox Robinson - So Many Ways to do Drugs [Music Review]

“This Comedic Punk track starts out sounding a bit like the Phineas and Ferb theme song and it is delivered a bit tongue in cheek. That said the social commentary is very real and on point. Fox Robinson has fun but still manages to say something and if that isn’t Punk I don’t know what is.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bowling For Soup - Ridiculous [Music Review]

“Bowling For Soup are Pop Punk legends and in honor of the 20th anniversary of their their classic album, A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, the band recorded during their sold out Manchester, UK show.

Their career ahs been anything but ‘Ridiculous,’ but here we are celebrating it with this single and live album release. This is the second release from an album that promises to be rock solid top to bottom given the band’s talent and years of performing experience.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ryan Reno- Relapse [Review]

“This song feels deeply personal and will resonate with anyone who has struggled with addiction. The visual grounds the story as the artist reflects on his relapse, capturing the unsettling process of self-destruction. I especially like the use of psychedelic special effects throughout the video—they vividly mirror the chaos and disorientation the artist experienced.”

— Kreadiv Kesh

Tiger & Dove - Tiger & Dove [Music Review]

“Tiger & Dove are a duo out of LAs Vegas and here on a track that shares the band’s name they take on the dynamic of opposites attract. The hard charging track feels a little Punk but probably is best described as Alternative Rock. I like the build and the variation from soft delicate delivery to the harder edged explaision all showcasing how differences can drive a wedge or bring us together.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

exPorter - Letting Go [Music Review]

“exPorter is keeping the Alt Rock sound alive and well. These Southern California rockers latest release, ‘Letting Go’ feels like a blend of Green Day esque vocals with a Pop Punk musical style that is right at home in 2025 but still harkens back to the early 2000s.

Of course good music is timeless and this track delivers an inescapable build to put it in that category.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sam Varga - Minute Man

“Given the tumultuous times we are facing, I frankly do not think enough artists are addressing the political issues of today.

Sam Varga never thought he’d write about politics but recognized the time to speak up was upon us. ‘Minute Man’ is a genre fusing track that takes on the world we live in with artful precision while still maintaining that Commercial entertainment that brings more ears to such an important message.

It’s time the musical landscape did more to address the current state of affairs, so kudos to Sam Varga for stepping up and delivering.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jersey Calling - X Americana [Music Review]

“The old adage ... if you aren’t pissed off, you aren’t really paying attention certainly applies to these times we are living in. And no genre has historically been more ready to stand up and yell in the face of tyranny than Punk.

Jersey Calling has grabbed the torch with their track ‘X Americana.’ Written in the wake of Elon Musk’s ascent to power in the Trump administration, X Americana is an anti-billionaire anthem against oligarchy in the United States.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Up From Here - Under Your Spell [Music Review]

“Up From Here comes with a Pop Punk style of sound on their latest song, ‘Under Your Spell.’

Maybe it’s just me, but Pop Punk and summer go together like suntan lotion and the swimming pool. Two things that simply feel right in tandem. This track has plenty of talent and a nice energy to keep listeners invested in the build.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JAMMY - Rigged! [Review]

“The song has a catchy beat that immediately draws you in. I also like the creative approach taken by JAMMY. He effectively share’s his perspective on political issues and relatable experiences, making the song resonate on a deeper level on political issues as well as things people experience. The song is short but has an impact to whoever is listening.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Slow Joy - Wound [Music Video Review]

“Let me introduce this track with a quite from the artist ... ‘When I was 14 I was an emo kid, Now I’m an emotional man.’

This emotions have manifested into an Alternative Rock sound that is undeniably inviting. YEah maybe it is in that misery loves company vein though there is nothing miserable about this song or the talent behind it. I;m simply talking about the shared human experience and how we all face and feel the same things.

’Wound’ showcases that and the band’s ability to deliver what we are feeling. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Teenage Joans - Sweet and Slow [Music Review]

“Pop Punk has been enjoying a resurgence and Teenage Joans out of Australia is ready to add to the wave with their new release, ‘Sweet and Low.’

The track is appropriately energetic and full of the guitar licks and strong musicianship needed to keep you moving and singing along. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Danny Bowens - CRYING ON THE DANCE FLOOR [Music Review]

“Danny Bowens takes us on a Pop Punk ride with ‘Crying On the Dance Floor.’ The track ahs a dark lyrical edge that is the perfect juxtaposition for the light bouncy tempo and musical vibe. The two sides are at odds inthe same way we all tend to smile and say everything is fine even as our world is shattering.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

MIA CEFALO - Girl who HATES me [Music Review]

“An alternative Pop track that leans intot he Pop Punk vibe, ‘Girl who HATES me,’ is MIA CEFALO’s latest single. The track comes with an energetic build and tone and at times the added harder edge of the melody adds tot he intensity. A fun lyrical ride that will pump you up. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Thirsty Curses - Breakfast Schmeckfast [Music Review]

“Thirsty Curses gives us a tongue-in-cheek bit of advice on how to navigate life with ‘Breakfast Schmeckfest.’

The Ska/Pop Punk vibe is perfect for the lyrical build and the group has the talent to pull off the fun groove as well as the vocal performance with precision. This is one of those songs some might dismiss as kitschy or fun but at its heart the lyrical build has enough depth to keep you coming back.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lisa Heller - LOSER! [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lisa Heller is anything but a ‘Loser!!’ Though she sings that refrain with ease and kill. Delivery a Pop Punk brand of high-energy, Heller straddles the line of Pop Princess and Punk Girl Bad-Ass quite ably.

It’s hard to imagine her losing anything she wants to keep but this tracks has punch and you can’t help but believe in the performance and the artist.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nadia Vaeh - Rewind [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nadia Vaeh belts out this ode to living in the moment and taking nothing for granted. The hard guitar and her classic Rock style vocals are the earmarks of the track but ‘Rewind’ is also a deeply meaningful and personal song for Vaeh.

Written as a response to her mother’s death, Vaeh took her time to properly express the emotions and the result is a song that will resonate for many. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

deegie - Old Spice (Eric #1) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“deegie is back on the attack, unleashing to dirt on ex-boyfriends from her upcoming EP, ‘EXES.’

This song puts the spotlight on Eric, her high school sweetheart, who first broke deegie’s heart when she was seventeen. I

A Pop Punk hit in the making, ‘Old Spice’ unfurls like a movie and the the story is easily digestable.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Eurotripp - Unforgivable [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“I like how the track has a Pop syth vibe for a few beats before it delves into a 90’s Rock vibe. Clean, deliberate vocals deliver the lyrical side of the track that fits the 90s sound quite well. Good clean music always works, and yes this feels like a throwback in some ways, but Eurotripp manages to accomplish that without feeling dated or derivative. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

Razor Braids - She [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Queer Garage Rock influenced by a blend of the 90s Indie sound, old school Punk, and a splash of contemporary Pop. If that sounds like a musical smoothie that you’d like to taste straight from from the blender then let me introduce you to the Razor Braids.

The band’s press release describes them as ... a Brooklyn-based, queer, female and non-binary identifying rock band that combines a heavy punk energy with an indie rock vulnerability culminating in passionate live shows and a dynamic sound anchored in a 90s alternative ethos.

That discriptionis apt but might play the soft Pop vocals that are a big part of the track ‘She,’ a song about being present and allowing yourself to die headfirst when you spot that person that you believe is perfect for you. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger