Gavin James - Boxes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“An energetic uplifting track for everyone that has ever been told ... they shouldn’t, they can’t, they won’t.

Gavin James has heard the dream killers talking to him since his childhood in Dublin, but the singer/songwriter did not listen to any of them for long. Preferring to ignore the naysayers and the challenges, he chased his musical dreams despite the odds. This track is testament to both his talent and perseverance.

The animated video is fun and as energetic and engaging as the music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

somegirlnamedanna - kitchen table [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“somegirlnamedanna is a mouthful, but this track establishes that same girl as a big force to be reckoned with so perhaps they two are perfectly matched. Emotion laid bare, such as this song gives us, speaks loudly far beyond the actual decimal level or style. The vocal tone of yearning vulnerability on the track only adds to the punch of this track.

’Kitchen Table’ is as true a song as you are likely to hear this year, or any other, and the homespun vibe of the video is the perfect accompaniment.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Pink Elefants - Blame On Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pink Elefants are a trio of talented vocalists each with their own sound and flow. This diverse talent gives the band a varied and rich sound that is engaging and hard to pin down genre wise. There is a vibe reminiscent to The Weeknd, as well a smooth Pop feel to ‘Blame On Me,’ which lyrically is about the burden of bearing the brunt of blame in a breakup.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Brilly Asher - Traumatized [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Brilly Asher drops this honest and unflinching track about the way our behavior hits others. Anytime a talented artist, truly lays bare his soul the result is an engaging song with relevance, because human nature leads us all to make the same mistakes, have the same dreams, share the same fears.

The flow here is slow and steady and carries a hint of an R&B vibe. The backing is fairly low-key and stays out of the way for the most part without adding a lot of punch on its own. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Joe-Y - Cudi [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Joe-Y offers up a diverse set of vocal sounds and styles on his latest single, ‘Cudi.’ I will admit to being surprised by the level of talent more than once. This Ohio rapper is one to keep an eye on for sure.

Lyrically this track is about chasing dreams and perfection while also dealing with the struggles of mental illness and letting the doubts from that come in. The flow ranges from a straight up Hip-Hop vibe, to an almost Reggae like rhythm and tone.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lucy Cloud - Jealous [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Part of the hook is the almost disenfranchised vibe to the vocal performance, which works here because it further conveys the emotion of being stuck in a rut — watching and envying others live their life.

The age of social media makes this a real phenomenon that affect most of us to some degree or another, and here, Lucy Cloud delivers a tantalizing example of being ‘Jealous.’ ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Fake Shark - Superstitious Thing [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is the song you will be singing the rest of the day. With a hook you can’t escape from and an energy that bites into the soul, ‘Superstitious Thing’ is a single with true allure. Add in a fantastic and farcical video and the track is all the more memorable.

There is a Robert Palmer, ‘Addicted To Love’ kind of draw here that can’t be denied. The imagery will bring a smile to your face and the rhythm will have you moving along. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

AFIKA - Guide Me Home Featuring TOTEM [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Music is a form of art and AFIKA is a true artist. He guides us into his new song ‘Guide Me Home’ with the vocals on Totem in a revelation of peace. For the lost souls who walk in the middle of nowhere not sure what direction to follow this will not only move your soul but save it with its lyricism”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Tireek, Lonely Leonard - Hold On [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sometimes all any of us can do is ‘Hold On’ as we go through tough times. And sometimes you gotta hold on for years to get where you want to be.

Tireek and Lonely Leonard team up to give is a glimpse of their coming up through tough times, but finding the love and strength around them to help them hold on. Both flows are honest and engaging, and the beat production feels right for the emotions fueling the track”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Flawes - Look No Further (Lowlights Version) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Flawes released an album titled Highlights not long ago, and now they are dropping a follow up EP aptly called Lowlights which includes four raw, stripped down versions of emotional tracks from that first album. ‘Look No Further’ is one of them, and here the vocal talent and songwriting shines through in the most bare vulnerable way. Most music is born in such a fashion and here you can feel that intimacy behind the track as we experience it in something close to it’s purest form.”

— 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)

Dror - "Bloodline" [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Dror drops this noir-esque track that puts his unique tone to great use. This is very much a storytelling song and the video advances the narrative quite well. Think Bonnie and Clyde, meets a modern Ride or Die vibe with the allure of a pop song and the emotion of classic R&B. You can taste the energy in every vivid word of this track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club (Acoustic Video) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A magic club where everyone can freely be themselves without fear of judgment? That is what Chappell Roan has given us here with ‘Pink Pony Club,’ a heart-rendering vocal ballad about acceptance. The piano melody and Roan’s vocals invite you in and the tender songwriting holds you, leaving you eager to discover what’s next in this song of both hope and sadness. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lilla Vargen - Love You Twice [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Reconciliation is a tough thing to achieve after the trusses of trust have been burnt and both parties have walked away from that burning bridge. There has perhaps never been a more beautiful song written about that very thing than ‘Love You Twice.’.

The emotion of rekindling the promise of love is a tough to capture because it us so nuanced. Not only did Lilla Vargen capture that, but she did so with an undeniable hook that speaks even to a hard-heartened man like me, who would never for a second consider turning toward the ex in my own life.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

NIIVA - Love Games [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 .5 out of 5

“NIIVA starts ‘Love Games’ with a soft vulnerability that is alluring yet somehow leaves you wary at the same time. Not wary of the talent, but rather of what she drop next lyrically. The track keeps you on your toes and offers a few different vibes and arrangement all of which are seamlessly transitioned so that you are never left with emotional whiplash. Coy and talent I have the feeling the very talented NIIVA holds her own in any games she plays.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Crash -Homeless In LA [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“In a world where so many people are homeless or have experienced a time where they slept on the street, in a car, or been so broke they ate a $2 fast food meal. One of the leading cities for the homeless is LA. Artist Crash’s new single ‘Homeless In LA’ tells his story of having somewhere to go but really not having anywhere to go but the streets of LA.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Very Very - Daydreams [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The melody here brings a dreamy lullaby type of vibe though the lyrics offer a darker feel though the light tone covers up that fact if you are not truly paying attention to the words. The video too has elements of both dark and light and hints at the blackness with a wry bit of humor for those of us with sadistic streak. This is a surprisingly complex song and video if you care to take the deep dive, but the track works as an engaging bit of entertainment if you only want to splash in the shallow end of the emotional pool.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

YP GottiGang x Ju$tin Gray - Pretty Pretty [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Some tracks capture you in their beat progression and pull you effortlessly along for the duration. ‘Pretty Pretty’ is such a song and while lyrically there are few surprises, the words are engaging enough that you are compelled to join in and sing along.

Delivering a bit of verve and attitude, YP GottiGang and Ju$tin Gray leave us with a track at home in the car with windows down, in the the club, or on that playlist for your girl.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

MADic - Trump Check [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track drops a comical flow on the whole lock down, quarantine, Covid mindset. From blowing your stimulus wad on a one big joint, to Tiger King references, this one hits many notes of our time of self containment, but it does so with a wry smile and a thumping beat.

MADic obviously blew off some much needed steam by writing, recording, mix and mastering this one over a short 72 hour time-frame while stuck in confinement in NYC. His diverse talents show up throughout, and the video is a entertaining as well. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mikano -Fuego [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“What do you have to lose? Shxt according to Mikano”

” In a Men In Black meets Dead President visual, Mikano gives us a paced flow in the first verse then a strong flow comes in. As the guys are seen jumping around and having fun in an empty deck the song may sound simple but it is catchy. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)