Evening's Empire - Movies (Who I Really Am) [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Evening’s Empire has captured the Indie Rock vibe and sound and distilled it into an engaging first single from their upcoming album, Alive For Us.

There are definitely hints of Springsteen here, though the track has its own vibe musically that makes it stand alone with a sound that grips you as it builds into an emotional crescendo. ‘Movies (Who I Really Am)’ is as the band says ... about the resolve to hold on to the parts of life that make it worth living.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

MEGG - SHAMOO [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An ode to the big gas guzzling giant rides that get us there without style or the so-called juice. ‘SHAMOO’ was written in honor of a Suburban that belonged to the artist’s dad after his passing it was inherited by MEGG and the vehicle took on a new meaning in her grief process. This track comes together as a fun summer anthem for hitting the road, driving to the beach, or simply cruising around the block with friends. Pop with a little bit of a Punk vibe.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Angela Parchetta - Tell Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The soft vocals of Angela Parchetta set off this Electro Pop track that feels like summer with just a hint of a melancholic undercurrent. The build and beat is subdued, but delivers its own mood and emotional vibe that works well with the yearning tenderness of the vocal performance.

’Tell Me’ asks the questions that fill all of our minds from time to time.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Em Rose - Lame Boys [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Every summer needs that pure pop sound to deliver a bit of bubblegum sweetness and energy to the warm sunny days. Em Rose has a true contender with ‘Lame Boys,’ a girl in the throes of infatuation. The track has an early Taylor Swift feel with a bit more Electro Pop flair on the back end. ”

— 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)

Dallas Thornton - Dance Till We Die [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Dallas Thornton is an entertainer in every possible way and that is evident in the rocking sweeping performance of his vocals, as well as his theatrics in the video that comes with this track. I mean this in the best possible way, but if Pauly Shore had a baby with Lady Gaga, I imagine the result would grow up to look a lot like this video.

This is anthem, a Rock celebration, an energetic stomp across the musical stage. So have fun, break out the air guitar, and the imaginary microphone and let yourself join in as we ‘Dance Till We Die.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

GARZI x Travis Barker - Sick of Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“1.. 2... 3...’I’m so ‘Sick Of Me’ is an alternative single by Garzi featuring Travis Barker. The visual starts out with a road trip with a bit of car trouble episode that turns into a moment of destruction in the woods. The drums provide a fed up yet lit cadence as Garzi releases his tension vocally. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

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)

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)

Confetti - Elephant In The Room [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Confetti is fun. The band I mean, because unlike their namesake, this kind of Confetti requires no cleanup up after the party. Fun and light, ‘Elephant In The Room’ brings that carefree party vibe with an infectious hook and energy. Witty and sarcastic in the best possible ways, this is a track that will put a smile on your face no matter how many times you blast it. ”

— 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)

OSTON - Shrug ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A fun track about not quite fitting in, ‘Shrug’ highlights OSTON’s vocal capabilities with a nicely varied and energetic performance. Written after moving to LA from Utah, the track is about the insecurities we all feel when forced beyond out comfort zone and the point is that sometimes it is better to simply shrug such feelings off, and stay true to who you are, rather than bend in uncomfortable ways. ”

— 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)

Katie Toupin - Don't Wanna Die [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“No, ‘Don’t Wanna Die’ is not about the virus dominating the news cycle as well as most of our thoughts, but the sentiment is timely just the same.

Actually, the lyrics were penned about the need for sobriety, and the single comes via a unique vocal tone delivered by Katie Toupin. There is just a hint of Amy Winehouse, both lyrically and musically, but you can feel the genuineness of the words in the performance which strongly suggests personal experience, rather than fandom of another artists is at the heart of this track. That fact gives this single the power to captivate and intrigue no matter what kind of times we are living in. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LPX - New Mood [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“In a lot of ways, this track feels like a punked-out, anxiety-filled version of Sheryl Crow’s classic rock diary ‘All I Wanan Do.’

LPX is the high-octane alternative solo project of Lizzy Plapinger, and ‘New Mood’ is in her own words a ... ‘visceral take fueled by a post panic adrenaline rush, it’s an anthem for change and breaking habits, committing to yourself and wanting more.’

The track is Pop Punk, Rock, and Alternative all in one.

It is raw emotion and energy and truth.

It is music from the heart soul and body.

It is a track you need to listen to . Not once. But may times over. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LPX on tour:

https://LPX.lnk.to/Live2020PR

4.12 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen

4.14 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen

4.15 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen

4.16 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater w/ Carly Rae Jepsen

4.18 - Houston, TX @ Revention Center w/ Maggie Rogers

4.20 - San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theater w/ Maggie Rogers

4.21 - Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theater w/ Maggie Rogers 

Romysa - Missin Out [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This track delivers a contemporary R&B vibe with a decided Pop feel.

Romysa has dropped a sultry bit of sass aimed at that ex who done her wrong. The lyrics are straightforward and taunting in a sexy way. The imagery of the video accentuates this vibe with Romysa striking various alluring poses.

Both the single and the video are well-produced and engaging and the groove here is an easy one to ride with. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jordana - Signs [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track brings an oddly mesmerizing mix of sounds and emotions. There is an almost, Napoleon Dynamite quality in the synthesized do-it-yourself vibe to the initial melody and beat. And yet, the whole thing also delivers a sophisticated set of vocals and complexity that comes out in layers. The lyrics are well-written and the production decisions are both compelling and befuddlingly perfect.

This single is hard to categorize, but perhaps Bedroom Pop is the best choice.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Zack Ely x DEEGAN - Rough [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track has a smooth Pop feel from the very first beat and word. Lyrically, the track can be interpreted varied ways, and I suspect it will hit people differently based upon their own beliefs and life experiences. The vocals are layered and capture your focus with a stellar performance that brings the emotion to the forefront.

Drawing a comparison here is tough, as Zack Ely has a voice that hints at a few well names, but still clearly stands out all on its own. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cardell - Here We Go Again [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“We love festivals and concerts but what do you a call a lyric video that is full of energy and unicorn colors? You call it ‘Here We Go Again’ by Cardell. This Electric Pop Song is something that you can be free on. The melody hits each chord just right to take you wherever you want to go.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)