Karamilk - Hurt [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Karamilk delivers a dark Pop song about the pressures of social circles and how easy it is to lose yourself in the demands of a group.

The vocals offer a haunting distance that echoes the emotions of the lyrics and the production behind the track adds a depth of feeling that creates a suitable mood for the entire track.

’Hurt’ feels like a bit of genuine honesty amid a see of artificial — in a time dominated by social media and snapshots of what life is supposed to look and feel like.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Thirsty Curses - Bruises On Your Shoulders [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A clever bit of songwriting, and a simple yet imaginative video highlight this track. There is something here that reminded me of Elton John, but just a hint because Thirsty Curses certainly have their own brand of uniqueness to stand on.

’Bruises On Your Shoulders’ is simply put ... the song of life. An entertaining and concise look at the ho-hum, the dreams, the everyday. Hard to categorize, but I was thoroughly entertained.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Mandevilles - You Feel Like Nothing [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some flames simply cannot be reignited, and The Mandevilles give a classic Rock sound on “You Feel Like Nothing,’ a track that takes a dive into that very idea on relationships.

Coming with a raspy vocal sound that reminded me some of Bonnie Raitt, this song taps into the emotions of the singer’s own experiences and that fact shines through in the genuineness you feel while listening.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Ella Sisters - Miss The Most [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Ella Sisters are Norwegian twins sisters and here their voices blend and mix with sheer precision that is tender and emotional, and energetically hopeful.

The tempo of the track isn’t what anyone would call fast, yet there is a positive vibe and lightness to the track that makes it feel upbeat while still maintaining that tender emotional thread. The vocal arrangement has a nostalgic, almost 90’s element to it, though the track feels modern and contemporary with its beat and overall sound. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

All My Friends Hate Me - Blood [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“My job as a reviewer usually involves me summarizing and then encapsulating a song to bring it alive to entice potential listeners in a scant few words. But sometimes it is best to let the artist describe their track and this is the case on this one ...

This is a confession. Sorry, mom.

’Blood’ is about the 14-year-old insomniac kid I used to be, who was dying to get out of a small town, and would do pretty much anything to feel alive. I used to wait until my mom went to sleep so I could ‘borrow”‘ the car keys and take my friends on late-night joyrides in her beat up Volvo. For some reason, a LOT of those nights ended with all of us laughing at each other, and bleeding all over a grocery store parking lot, after trying to pull off Jackass stunts in shopping carts.

It’s the ‘Blood’ that made us who we are. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sarah Kinsley - I Can Feel It [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The build, both musically and vocally, is almost cinematic here, though the track remains its Rock/Pop vibe thanks to a magnificent performance from Sarah Kinsley.

’I Can Feel It’ has the kind of emotion that sweeps you up and carries you along. A big piano ballad that Elton John and Freddy mercury would be proud of. KInsley puts her stamp on the emotion of making it in the music world.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Color Fields - Animal [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The imagery of the video tells a more direct story than perhaps the lyrics would by themselves, but this track has the musical chops to stand on its own as well. With a darkly alluring vibe and silky, yet sinister, vocal groove, ‘Animal’ takes us beyond the facade we often put up to what lurks deep inside. Of course sometimes the elements of ourselves we bury are the truest and best parts of ourselves. And the very parts others are desperately hoping to discover ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Estella Dawn - Spooky [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The track comes in with a funky little organ keyboard vibe that preludes Estella Dawn’s vocals. The performance feels heartfelt, and in it you can feel the haunting effects of her nightmares which revisit a toxic relationship and her part in that past. The arrangement and mix helps bring out the sentiments of the lyrics. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Bad Flamingo - Butter [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We have featured Bad Flamingo before and I’ve long been a fan. The diverseness of their sound is especially impressive in a time when many artists sound the same on every track they release.

’Butter’ is not an easy song to categorize, but it is an Indie Rock vibe with a trippy and meandering melody that sort of mesmerizes and comes across as smooth as butter on warm toast. Intriguing vocals add to the dynamic.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tessa Violet x MisterWives - Bored [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A fun ode to boredom which most have us have lived in recent months. This song does not overtly refer to the pandemic or being isolated and stuck from friends, but of course that is where the mind goes even without a direct reference. The arrangement here is fun and engaging while still managing to express the disenfranchised and untethered state we’ve all been in though these times. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius - Flexibility Blues [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Bending and contorting ourselves is something we all tend to do, but bend too damn far and you’ll lose who you are. This bluesy take on the traditional California Folk style is deceivingly well-crafted and insightful. There is a light airy tone to this scintillating track, though the punch of these lyrics hits hard if you let ‘em. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hymner x Alessandra - Nobody's Fault [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sad pop connoisseurs, Hymner is back with ‘Nobody’s Fault,’ once again teaming up with Swedish songster Alessandra.

Loneliness is a powerful thing that might lead to questionable decisions. We’ve all been there, right? The unique vocal tone caught my attention, and the emotion of the performance kept me listening. The track has a good linear progression that carries your forward with it.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jess Chalker - West Hollywood [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“You can miss a person and you can miss a person. This singl hits on both with silky smooth vocals that remind of Fleetwood Mac while bringing in a bit of Florence and The Machine to the overall sound. ‘West Hollywood’ toes that line between nostalgia and contemporary with lyrics that resonate and feel modern and a performance that is simply timeless. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kahone Concept - Maybe [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kahone Concept has a bit of Coldplay vibe about them, and the track ‘Maybe’ is a slow build that sort of sneaks up on you. The sound and emotion are prevalent from the start, but I was surprised how deeply engrossed I became in the track.

The world disappeared for me and I simply was carried away by the music and performance.”

— 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)

Makena - Time of My Life [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“On a track that will leaving you trying to decide if you should laugh, cry, or dance, Makena gives us a gamut of emotions.

’Time of My Life’ is an ode to growing up and finding your place in the world through tough times and good times and all the times in between. There is a pop element to the vocals that adds a lightness to what lyrically at times is a very dark song.

Showcasing a variety of vocal styles, the track also offers that hopeful feeling you get with the knowledge you are not alone in your hopes, fears, and struggles.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Maudlin - The Best Thing [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dark and dirty best describes the mood here. A song of emotional reflection on the suffering that our hearts can put us through.

Two lonely dirty souls ... is part of a line from these well-written lyrics, and if you think of human lust and love in those terms, you will be smack dab in the mindset of this single.

Maudlin is raw and real in the telling of “The Best Thing.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

BabyJake - MadHappySad [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“BabyJake is showing all the emotions with ‘MadHappySad,’ and he’s doing it with a verve and style that hooks you in deep.

The 8-Bit video game inspired video is a nice visual touch that adds a layer of thought in that all-too-often we approach life as if it were a game. We are desperateness to hit that next stage that we go through the so-called steps to level-up. Often that is settling into a relationship and we know we are supposed to, but sometimes the person is right and wrong at the same time. Sometimes they are simply there because we feel like they are supposed to be, and in that sense the emotions are conflicting.

This track is about doing more with your life besides leveling-up in the expected ways.”

— 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)

Super Sthlm Bros. - CHEF [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Some songs are impossible not to move to. ‘CHEF’ from Super Sthlm Bros. is one of those songs. The energy is instant, and the vocals come in with that swagger and verve to finish the job of hooking you.

This all immersive groove is funky for damn sure, and if you can listen to this one without moving some part of your body then I gotta wonder, what happened to your soul?”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)