Ben Labat - Born to Cross Lines [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The ability to make a listener truly feel the emotions of what you are singing is a gift, and Ben Labat shares that gift with his latest single, ‘Born to Cross Lines.’ A little Folk, a little soul, and a whole lot of talent are at the heart of the track. that pulls you in and holds you with a smooth melody and vocals that simply feel right and natural. This is the kind of emotion that comes from a life spent living forward and the hard earned wisdom is a gift for all that truly stop and focus on the lyrics and performance. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Neon Dreams - Sick of Feeling Useless [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Uplifting and energetic, ‘Sick of Feeling Useless’ is the new single from Halifax alt-pop duo Neon Dreams.

This is the kind of track that sweeps you up and carries you on the wave of bright sounds and clean vocals, but in order to achieve that, a track must also bring a lyrically relevance that connects for most of us. And this song certainly does that with a nice Pop vibe that gathers you in from the very first line. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Pocket Band - Just For You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Straight up, low key rock song with a a hint of Reggae and a smooth pop groove to the chorus.

There is something decidedly West Cost feeling about this Chili Pepper-esque track. An easy groove to fall into and ride out makes this a track you could roll down the highway with or hang out with friends beer in hand.

The current times makes the latter feel especially nostalgic but tracks like this make me feel like we will get back to those days soon. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Customers - Lost The World [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A rocking Blues number, that delivers a hard punch musically. The vocals lean to a spoken Blues style, but for me it was the hard edge of the music that kept me listening here. Something tells me this band is one that puts on a must see show on stage and I hope they venture down to Southern California so that I can see them live for myself.

Rock and Roll isn’t dead but it is hard to find and The Customers out of Oakland, California are hell bent to keep the sound alive and well. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Paden - All The Saints [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A quiet first verse ushers in this emotional cry for help. The track ramps up the emotional intensity as well as the tempo as the song progresses and the build pulls the listener along effortlessly until the second voice comes in with a surprising softness that drives home the vulnerability.

Fans of Coldplay will find it easy to connect with Paden’s style and sensibilities. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

OSTON - Shrug ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A fun track about not quite fitting in, ‘Shrug’ highlights OSTON’s vocal capabilities with a nicely varied and energetic performance. Written after moving to LA from Utah, the track is about the insecurities we all feel when forced beyond out comfort zone and the point is that sometimes it is better to simply shrug such feelings off, and stay true to who you are, rather than bend in uncomfortable ways. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Modslee x Ariza - Don't Really Wanna Know [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Powerful lyrics and emotional performance gives this track an unrelenting allure that draws you deep into the treachery of heartbreak.

Escaping the memories of a lost love is tougher in this digital age where the current lives and statuses are but a click away, so even when we ‘Don’t Really Want To Know’ what is going on with that ex, the compulsion to check in is a hard one to fight. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kelsy Karter - "Devil On My Shoulder" [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is a seductress. I didn’t really want to give in to it’s devilish charms, but Kelsy Karter gives a varied performance that is hard not to fall for, and the imagery of the video is fun and gripping as well.

Karter lives up to her unpredictable reputation with this track and the energy is undeniable. Give it a listen and be careful lest you to find a ‘Devil On My Shoulder.’ ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Cool Quest - PUNISHER [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is a modern soulful track that drips with trepidation and pending emotion. You can run from trouble, but you never truly escape and this song is about knowing that fact and waiting for the moment when it comes time to pay for the things we have already done.

The vocal tone is intriguing through a variety of delivery styles and the beat and melody add to the rising tension of the track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

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)