The Scarlet Opera - Big City Thing [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“There is something about The Scarlett Opera that puts me in mind of Queen and while it is hard to pinpoint exactly, I think it is a bold uniqueness that simply feels like freedom. Freedom of convention, freedom rules, and freedom of spirit that can only come with you create art for yourself first and an audience second. ‘Big City Thing’ is a flamboyant celebration of artistic freedom that gets in your ears and then in your soul.

Rock and Roll with flair and verve and a total disregard for what anybody thinks about that.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

Shantaia - Know You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It is not often that a Pop Country track lands for me, but Shantaia deliver this track with an emotive strength that lands with genuine emotional resonance that transcends genre and rises above the fray of Mainstream Country. ‘Know You’ has an almost 90’s Country feel that reminds me of the days when Shania, Martina, Trisha, and Faith dominated the Country landscape. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ni/Co - what it (do do do) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

A smooth R&B groove with heavy Pop leanings about letting the bad stuff roll off and way from you. It is far too easy to hold grudges and plot revenge, but then the offending party lives inside your head so sometimes we have to let go of our resentment and trust Karma to work her magic. This song is an artful reminder of that.

Nep Jennings - MR [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The combination of attitude and strong writing sold this track for me. Lines like ... ‘I’d rather be paranoid than comfortable ...’ hooked me in and offered big perspectives in few words and that gave the track a powerful impact.

The tone of the flow is quiet confidence and a hard edged take on the world that is certainly warranted and accurate. Nep Jennings is a voice worth hearing with words that need to be said. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

DEVADO - The sad song (Give it up) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Life always presents those problems that have no easy answer. And sometimes we want or desire something that is unattainable or nearly impossible and either way how we respond and battle is key to where we go from there. DEVADO performs this track with heartfelt precision and grace and in the vocals there is a thread of hope and understanding that will no doubt comfort others stuck in the same brand emotional situation.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Liv Hanna - Buried Alive [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Liv Hanna possess the kind of powerful and emotive vocals that hook the listener from the very first note. The emotion here is palpable and the lyrical build is emotionally tight making the track a tight grip on the mind and soul. ‘Buried Alive’ is the kind of writing that will no doubt mean different things to different people but our various life experiences tend to lead us to view and hear art in different ways and this track is definitely artfully performed. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Collection - Rose Colored Glasses [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“It is never easy to see the postives after a break up but, ‘Rose Colored Glasses,’ from North Carolina indie-pop band The Collection hopes to change that. The single is the third single released from their new EP, How to Survive an Ending, due out on January 27, 2023. The track has a Folksy Pop vibe and is easy to fall in and connect emotionally. A track of uplifting energy and hope despite the end of the relationship. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tea Janee - I Don't Wanna Talk About It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Few things in this world are straightforward, but Tea Janee is advocating for one thing to be that way ... And that one thing is sex.

This song is sultry in a Pop kind of way with it directness and teasing tone. Like Britney meshed with Arianna Grande this is a pure Pop lust-filled track with just a bit of Bubblegum to the delivery style. The vocal talent and tone of the track stays light but the intent is purely carnal.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BOWIE - Milk Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“BOWIE unleashes this haunting condemnation of modern societal ideals and the brooding emotive build hooks the listener with power and a bit of condemnation as we all are guilty of the crimes highlighted by this well-written track. The dark undertones of the production are a perfect mate to the expressive vocal style that has some comparison to Florence and the Machine.

This is a track that gives off nuance and emotions in layers so give it more than one listen to truly take a deep dive in this finely crafted song. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Nicky Youre - Eyes On You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Nicky Youre drops this pure Pop diamond with its sparkling hook and energetic melody. We’ve all done things in the pursuit of love and admiration from a crush that we swore we wouldn’t and usually those acts don’t help us land their affection but hey, you gotta take your shot. This track is all about that and sometimes we get surprised. The video is lighthearted and adds to the emotions of the song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

GAYLE - ALEX [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The world is full of break up songs but few artists can command the emotional resonance that GAYLE delivers. ‘ALEX’ is real and genuine and feels like the stream of consciousness we all go through when making such decisions. The song has a fun light edge despite the heavy subject matter. It feels a whole lot like a conversation with a friend about relationships and in that familiarity is a comfort that is pure artistry. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Kia Rose DrUgS + cAnDy - [ Review ]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kia Rose “DrUgS + cAnDy is a different type of pop song. The video is visually cute but it takes you into the mind of someone who has their head in the clouds. Somethings seem larger than others and your best friend could be a teddy bear. You are stuck between tripping and having fun but in the moment find a way to relax. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Olivia Penalva -Assembly Required [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“The setting and the guitar strings sets the mood for the intro. Olivia Penalva sets the stage in her latest single “Assembly Required”. She lays out the instruction of falling in love with her. She knows she isn’t perfect but does have the ability to open her heart and love again as long as you are willing to put her together.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

VIZE x R3HAB - One Last Time [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If the idea of EDM is truly to get you up and moving, then ‘One Last Time’ from VIZE and R3HAB certainly hits the target. Sure, the vibe is chill for the genre, but the track is engaging at the same time, and while the track isn’t the high energy club banger that dominates the gerne, it is certainly engaging and enthralling. The strong vocals and production make it an impossible track to ignore both physically and emotionally. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mixed Kid Fridays - Something To Shout [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A big chanting anthem, that feels a bit like a drunken sing-a-long in the best of ways. Mixed Kid Fridays are clearly having fun, and this bold and sparing track embodies that.

The track is truly ‘Something To Shout’ about, and it is futile to resist the energy of this one. A great party song for you and your friends to belt out once you have all properly lubricated your vocal chords.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

8 BALL AND MJG - They Don't Love You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“They gave us a snippet during the Verzuz battle but 8 Ball and MJG are coming back with the classics. Their latest single “They Don’t Love You” is about knowing how to recognize the fake people in your life. The are staying true to their roots with the classic Memphis beat and visual location. ”

— Kreadiv K [LA On Lock Bloggers]

Arkells - Teenage Tears [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Arkells are joined here by Tegan and Sara on this heartfelt track. ‘Teenage Years’ hits all the feels and the blend of voices play off of each other to add to the emotional intensity of the build. The writing is spot on and the delivery every bit as flawless. A track you can listen to over and over again and pick up new nuances each time you do so. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Big Boss Vette - "Snatch" (Remix) ft. Flo Milli & Saucy Santana [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Big Vette is snatching our souls with the remix to “Snatch” with Flo Milli and Saucy Santana. The beat stays the same but the lyrics hit harder than ever on each verse.

They come with analogies that will have you using each one for social media captions or just keep snatching his soul.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

anees - Leave Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A smooth easy groove with Reggae and Pop influences in the tone and delivery. An ode to love and the disappointment we fell when we let that other person down and do them wrong. The pain is tangible and the passion emotes through in every line. A song of directness and emotional pain that is an apology of sorts but also a pledge to be better. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger