Fab The Duo - Our Love Is Resistance [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a big bold statement, Fab The Duo comes with ‘Our Love Is Resistance’ which speak loud and clear its beliefs and intentions. From the duo themselves ...

’Our Love Is Resistance’ is a power ballad in honor of Pride Month and the #blacklivesmatter movement. The music video was filmed at Stonewall, the birthplace of gay rights. With beautiful gospel harmonies, cinematic horn section, and wailing guitar, this rock anthem reminds listeners that love truly conquers all!””

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ivan Beecroft - The Candyman [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A dark and dangerous look at drug addiction, ‘The Candyman’ uses a 90’s era beat and sound to deliver a warning about your friendly neighbor hood drug dealer.

Rock vocals that feel sticky and gritty deliver the goods on this track which feels almost apocalyptic. The imagery of the video adds an entire layer to the vibe of this track. Together the package puts a tangible spin on an untouchable dilemma.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gorden - Bittersweet Kiss [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The melody captured my attention first ,and then the vocal tone came in with its strong emotive quality to further hook me. The lyrics are also poignant and honest and the elements are well-balanced and complimentary of each other giving this single a well rounded emotional appeal that fits the singer/songwriter genre quite well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lawson - Animals [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“In an absolute absurd brand of fun, the video for ‘Animals’ is almost a tongue-in-cheek reprimand for anyone that takes songs too literal. That is exactly what the video does and here it makes for a good bit of humor.

As a band Lawson is wiling to have a bit of fun at their own expense while giving us a visual representation of their track about the infatuation of love. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gus Miller - Roll Right On [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“From Gram Parsons psychedelic 70’s love for the California desert, to Willie’s bond with the Texas Hill Country, the laid back Outlaw Hippie Country vibe has long been rooted in place and attitude. Gus Miller joins that movement that is still alive and well today.

These days the sound is often called Americana, but it doesn’t really matter what you call it because this songwriting and delivery style is all about attitude and the emotion of being content in your own skin and environment. And those ideals transcends genre, a term which has always been about marketers and promoters for more than the fans and the music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dave Farah - Lone Rider [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The cost of chasing your dreams can exact a toll on the psyche and Dave Farah delivers the emotional tax that leaving behind your friends and family levees upon your mind in “Lone Rider.”

With a rising ballad type of feel, this is a track that is easy to connect to and feel to your core, even if you have never struck out alone to conquer the world.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lenkie - Trouble [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Love and lust are tricky things, and if you are not careful, the chase is what you come to crave more than the actual act of being with someone.

Lenkie is a 17 year old South African artist living in New York City, and here she gives us track that feels wise beyond her years. Dark and brooding and intuitive, the mood feels as dangerous as the girl mentioned in “Trouble.””

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Skuzii x Wilke$ - Act Like That [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“You ever save a snack or a bit of leftovers in the fridge ... then come for them hungry late at night only to discover someone already ate your food? The betrayal is real, and amplified all the more when the food thief is your significant other.

This track is about those emotions and the overall selfish attitude of a disrespectful lover. The writing is humorous, but still emotional and poignant. the way real truths tend to be. The chill flow makes it easy to connect, and I found myself in a musical brand of amen as I nodded along in agreement.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Anna Pena - Retribution [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dark and gritty, this Electro Pop track promises ‘Retribution.’ There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t craved a little pay back for those who have done them wrong and on this track, Anna Pena puts that desire into a set of menacing, yet sultry vocals that makes you taste the need for revenge on the back of your tongue.

The single delivers a nice arrangement which offers variation and a build that keeps you tethered to this song.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hövring - Revolution [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Perhaps the ‘Revolution’ in question is one to return to a time when Rock music was loud and fast and carried an edge. If so, HÖVRING is one of the leaders of the charge.

This track is simply pure old school Rock and Roll. Straight out of Denmark this single brings the drums sound you’d expect, the front man energy you need, and of course, an attitude that leaves you ready to challenge the world.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Estella Dawn - Wonderlust [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Estella Dawn is fed up with the added scrutiny women face. Too think? Too thick? To sensual. Not alluring enough? ‘Wonderlust’ is an intricately delivered revolt to the idea the opinions of others should get in the way of who you are and how you feel.

Dawn’s vocals are lush and rich and brimming with seething attitude, though you get the sense there is even more power lurking there should she need to call upon it. This track makes a statement for a talented young artist.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kadeema - What Are We Not Saying Now? [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Has the spirit of political correctness swung to far? Have we as a society muzzled ourselves to the point that we can no longer freely speak our mind? That is the question ‘What Are We Not Saying Now?’ asks.

Kadeema drops this well-written and thought provoking single, but the philosophical side aside the track packs entertaining value as well. The vocal are engaging and varied and the beat and melody energetic and persuasive. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Glass Mansions - Faith [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Have ‘Faith.’
In yourself.
Your true self.

That is the message behind this track. Pure and simple.

Trust in yourself and you will be happier and have purer more true connections. In this day and age of false and fake narratives via social media, we all crave more of a human connection, and this track is about shaking off the fear of losing followers by revealing too much of your true self.

This hard charged rock anthem comes at your straight and direct and that is what the lyrics are advocating as well. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rivet City - Spare Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rivet City brings a raspy Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe on this track. ‘Spare Me’ is the kind of single that you can simply fell the groove and medley and enjoy, or you can truly dive in and become immersed within the lyrics.

With a good energy and funky rhythm, the track has a lot of life even before you dig deep into the rich lyrical content. The band’s sound is both unique in tone and familiar in style making them truly stand out from the fray. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Don Blanquito - Fast Lane [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Don Blanquito drops a smooth Lo-fi groove that will speak to anyone who has ever cruised along the highways and byways of Southern California. Actually the track is a perfect car play no matter where your wheels happen to be rolling.

An easy smooth groove that just captures the mood and spirit of being behind the wheel when you are feeling carefree and ready to go somewhere of your own choosing. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

TWO - Phoenix [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The raw emotion of the vocals comes in with the first word and the build continues until you can almost feel the explosion to come. And when the rebirth of the namesake ‘Phoenix’ from the ashes comes up in a big bold chorus, it is hard not to feel the chill of dogged determination.

The track feels sensual and bare in the most vulnerable of ways, and yet it conveys strength and resolve that rings loud and true. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers - Never Thought [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers comes with an attitude and edge that feels like both Punk, and Rock, and generational in all the best ways.

Per the band’s description ... ‘Never Thought’ is a quarter-life-crisis, a coming-of-age and a breakup song, squeezed into two, angsty minutes.

That definition fits, proving this band knows not only what they want to say, but also has the talent to achieve exactly that. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius - Easy Graces [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bringing a classic singer/songwriter vibe, Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius gives us this guitar driven track about loneliness amid a crowd. With lyrical nods to Dylan and Petty, the track has a hint of what can best be described as weed tranquility, but that is not to say there isn’t a deep meaning and takeaway.

The easy going vibe of ‘Easy Graces’ comes with a haunting quality that speaks to being misunderstood or worse unseen in a world that prizes itself on likes, shares and social engagement of all kinds.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

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)