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)

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)

SeepeopleS - New American Dream [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is the pure Punk sound with something to say, that the censors don’t want you to hear or see.

Banned by Facebook, the video features animation done by the famed Pete List of Celebrity Death Match on MTV.

SeepeopleS ‘New American Dream’ will no doubt offend some, but any Punk song worth its salt does the same. This track is political and pointed. The lyrics alone speak loudly, but the imagery of the video adds even more punch.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jovani - Half Life (Feat. Dvniel) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jovani is a Lithuanian DJ that teams up with LA based vocal artist Dvniel on this latest latest single “Half Life.”

Jovani has produced an upbeat energetic track that will no doubt be shared by couples pledging a life together. The emotion behind the track captures the euphoria of falling in love quite well, all in a glorious EDM style that is as easy to dance to as it is to sing along with as you ride down the road with your windows down and the wind whipping your hair.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Louis Metric - Lonely [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Being happy with yourself is important anytime, and it is one thing many of us struggle with after a tough break up. But in these current times, learning to cope and be content with isolation is more important than ever before.

This track comes with a Hip-Hop/ Pop vibe and is well-written and performed with a touch of wry humor that comes through in the imagery of the video as well as the vocal flow. And it does so with a message that you can be alone and be perfectly okay.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Make You Cry - From the Loving Hands of Our Creator [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Don’t be fooled by the title of Make You Cry’s latest single, ‘From The Loving Hands Of Our Creator’ into thinking this is an uplifting bolt of inspirational lightness. Perhaps the song does offer its own brand of inspiration, but make no mistake this is a dark and brooding rock song.

The vocals are nuanced and emotional and the video offers up some evil rabbit imagery to add an element of appropriate weirdness to the metaphor of choice that the lyrics pose. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Pink Elefants - Rehab [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It is no secret that Addiction is tough on everyone that loves you. This track comes from the viewpoint of a lover trying to break free from a relationship to save themselves from being pulled down alongside the one that can’t stay clean.

The track utilizes several vocal styles which do a good job of showcasing the various emotions and moods of the distancing process. Lyrically sharp, the lyrics are easy to stay focused in on, and to sing along with. It’s not a happy song, but one of true emotion with a hint of jaded bitterness to make it truly feel real.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lune - Wi-Fi [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This tracks bare and stripped back vocals hooked me early on. I listened in the way you watch a story unfold on the street, that you perhaps are not supposed to see, because the nature of this track is slightly voyeuristic in that it feels like an intimate conversation between friends.

The Electro Pop vibe is subdued and the track progresses with that one single voice doing the heavy, emotional lifting. Though the track does have enough splashes production wise, to elevate it above the artsy status and give it just a hint of commercial flair.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)