Confetti - People Suck (2020 Remix) [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“True to their name, Confetti comes at you with a party song. ‘People Suck’ might not be a conventional party song, but then there hasn’t been a damn thing conventional about 2020, so perhaps this is the party song we all need right now.

This track is easy to belt out and song along with, and despite the revelry in style, it comes with some serious observations and thoughts.

Cue this up as a barroom anthem for the day we can all gather together and drink once again.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Neon Dreams - Don't Go Hating Me Now [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Watching a friend fall and slip into a bad place is tough, but so is reaching out and helping them by speaking the truth. In those instances the friend can resent you and the help you are offering. Neon Dream offers a Pop Rock refrain of this phenomenon. ‘Don’t Go Haring Me Now’ is full of heart and hope and human kindness but also comes with emotion and talent and energy.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LACES - worship [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“LACES once performed to success under the name Charlotte Sometimes, but a series of life events and personal decisions have led to her burying that name, both literally and figuratively.

In more ways than one, ‘worship’ represents a rebirth, and in the dark moodiness of a stellar vocal performance, lurks an emotion and depth that breaths life into this track, as well as the new direction of LACES renewed career.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Fluorescents - Not Another Pop-Punk Song [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Pop Punk with a splash of Celtic Rock sound thrown in, Fluorescents latest single, “Not Another Pop-Punk Song’ is perhaps poking a little fun at themselves with that title because of course this track is another Pop-Punk song. However, it is a fun energetic one that stands out because of the talent and wryly sharp writing. The musical shifts keep you on your toes and the vocals make it easy to sing along. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Emili - Autopilot [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Emili comes at you with a vibe sweet innocence vocally, but the emotions of the songwriting delivers an edge and grit.

’Autopilot’ is about rut, routine, and expectations. The desire to shake things up rather than than toe the line and do exactly what everyone is expecting and demanding of you.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Maro - Carsick [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Maro has the kind of vocal talent that mesmerizes and pulls you in right from the beginning. The lyrics of ‘Carsick’ come with a tranquil intensity that adds to that attachment. This softly delivered track does not shatter the norms in anyway, but still feels unique and different by establishing a steady groove that carries you along with ease.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

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)