Sir Echo - Raven [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Blurring the lines of Punk, Alternative and Emo Rock, Sir Echo has a retro vibe that at times feels like the Bangles in a blender. ‘Raven’ is about the battle between fantasized or romanticized versions of a person, and the reality that they come with a complex history and set of flows just like every other person.

Love might be blind, but eventually every relationship is tested by reality and here those ideas take flight thanks to dark wings and thrumming guitar strings. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Love Hounds - Lazy Boy [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Punk Country? Yes it is, but there is nothing here that feels anything like the Corporate Mainstream Country most associate with Nashville. Instead Love Hounds, unleashes more of an Outlaw Country sound mixed with heavy Punk influence to give ‘Lazy Boy’ both an edge and a storytelling quality that lands in between genres. But make no mistake, this is not so much a niche type track as it is one that takes the best elements of various genres and turns them into a unique, but broad appeal.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Pink Leather Jackets - Sixteen Forties [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Growing up in a small town, or in the boring, far flung regions of suburbia can be a challenge as a teenager desperate to escae and experience real world excitement. This track is about that desperate need to escape and carries some nostalgia for the years of life when that is the most important problem you face. A Pop Punk heavier on the Punk side gives this track a nice edge and energy and is a track you can song along with alone or with friends. Simply a fun track. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Bedouin Soundclash - Walk Through Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a tough track to put a label on. Reggae? Pop Punk? American? There are elements of all three, but no matter what you call the genre, Bedouin Soundclash has given us an infectious track that burrows its way deep down in your soul. “Walk Through Fire” stuck with me through multiple listens and I found myself singing along long after the track had ended. This is one that will continue to impress no matter how many times you listen. A fun, energetic build and easy to join in chorus makes it a clear hit in my eyes. ”

— 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

Billingsley - Long Shot [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Billingsley is compromised of three brothers from North Carolina. The sound and style is Green Day meets Offspring and ‘Long Shot’ is the kind of tongue in cheek song that never goes out of style. The emotions behind the track are ones we’ve all felt and experienced and the wry humor helps make the odds that are stacked against us easier to laugh off. A fun song that you will want to listen to over and over again to get all the lyrics. Pure fun and energy!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

J. Graves - Valentine [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Taken purely as a standalone song, ‘Valentine’ is a treat for the senses. Portland’s, J. Graves has the talent and verve to pull of the track with attitude and talented flair, but you cant take this single on its solo merits alone. The [project is fun and unique as part of a musical, choose your own adventure thread. The video ends with a question and your answer will determine the next track and so forth down the line making the music truly interactive. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Connor Kauffman - Bleed [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We have all shed some blood, at least metaphorically, in the name of love. Connor Kauffman has tapped that emotional vein on this passionate track that has a hint of 90s Rock along with a contemporary Pop Punk vibe at times.

’Bleed’ offers a catchy hook and a lyrical progression that is easy to dial in on and sing along with. Straightforward Rock that speaks to the heart.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Spinning - St. Stephen's Green [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written immediately after a trip to Ireland, ‘St. Stephen’s Green’ is a Punk Pop track with a nice bit of reflective emotion pushing it forward. We all get in our own way from time to time and let our emotions color the world around us. this can spoil our own joy as well as our relationships and just recognizing that fact can be all we need to find solid ground once again. This track just might help, as with a lot of great art, it simple resonates in a way that lets us know we are not alone in our thoughts feelings, and anxieties. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Peyton Shay - Aftertaste [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Peyton Shay is poised to be the next darling of the Pop Punk scene. With beautiful ones and an emotional edge, ‘Aftertaste’ is the break down of the mental mastication of a breakup. The seed things can go from great to irate is stunningly quick but sometimes it is is the devastation that we truly find out who we are and this song offers a glimpse of that ride. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Penny Lame - I Don't Talk To Boys That Make Me Cry [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Penny Lame strikes Pop Punk gold with their latest single, ‘I don’t Talk To Boys That Make Me Cry.’ Fed up and pissed off, the lyrics leave no room for doubt that the time has come to move forward. The energy and build feel like Pink meshed with Avril Lavigne with an old school splash of No Doubt tossed in for good measure. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

FANGZ - Won't Be Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Energy and passion can make make for an engaging track, and when the musical talent shines just as boldly as those elements — the music truly comes alive. FANGZ has created just such a track with ‘Won’t Be Me,’ a hard charged Punk anthem about sticking with a relationship even as the wheels fall off. You know it is doomed, but still you want for the end rather than bring it about.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Maximilian Thanksalot - Toe on the Trigger [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sneaky clever writing and attitude lift this track from Maximillian Thanksalot above the fray. ‘Toe on the Trigger’ is an in your face Pop Punk track that blends intense lyrics and hard guitar licks to create a vibe that carries the day.

This is the kind of track you have to give a few listens to pick up on everything being laud down but you won’t mind at all. A true mood setter. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Mr. Max - I Hate My Life [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Falling somewhere between The Beastie Boys and Weezer, Mr. Max brings nothing but attitude with ‘I Hate My Life.’

Riding a hard edge beat and build, the track hooks and holds with a set of vocals that demand your attention. The writing commands its own level of engagement as it is sharp and pointed and hits its mark throughout the build.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

An Adolescent Tragedy - I'm Keeping the Nintendo [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A different kind of break up song that will make you smile, but also nod along if you’ve even been there in that situation of watching a relationship dissipate.

LA band, An Adolescent Tragedy has a decided West Coast sound that has enough of a Punk vibe to be categorized that way, but still brings a bit of the 90s sound to the mix to make the track have a Commercial feel as well.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Charlotte Sands - Every Guy Ever [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Charlotte Sands could very well be the next big Pop Punk sensation. ‘Every Guy Ever’ is a track that will speak to anyone who has ever ventured out in the cold dark dating world. Yeah, here it is pointed to idiot guys but we all know it is tough for any gender to find that person who is honest, trustworthy and right for them. The emotion and energy of this track ring true and comes with several amen type moments. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rhys - Thanks a lot now I can't smile [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Rhys was born in Portland but moved to Sweden when she was only ten years old. The influence of both American and Swedish Pop can be found in her sound and the tender emotion is palpable in every single line. This particular track reminded me of Pink a great deal but that is not to say Rhys doesn’t have her own unique spin and delivery. The writing is also strong and in it you can truly lose yourself into the world of the singer. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

A Very Special Episode - Cowboy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The sound of A Very Special Episode can best be summed up as ... a pissed off Fleetwood Mac. ‘Cowboy’ is a track that comes in hard and throws the punches for the duration.

In the band’s words ... ‘Cowboy’ tries to embody the swagger of every man who’s ever decided it was his job to swoop in to save someone who didn’t ask for or need it. Sometimes it’s toxic, other times it’s pathetic, and we went and made a bop about it.’

The edge is razor sharp, and the build keeps you ready to swing on the next idiot to get in your way. This is the spirit of Rock and Roll personified.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Original Son - The Turnaround [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This three piece Punk band out of LA comes at you with an energetic edge that hooks you in from the start. Leaning to the Pop Punk side, ‘The Turnaround’ has a hint of Celtic flair to the sound that works well.

Lyrically the band offers enough grit to keep the track from feeling solely like a party anthem, though it does have that motivational get you stoked kind of aura. The vocals are emotive and passionate and the music shines in this raucous arrangement. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dan Miraldi - Are We Gonna Hang Out? [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This just might be my favorite pandemic inspired song. A Punk anthem capsulizing the angst, hope, and longing of Covid inspired loneliness, ‘Are We Gonna Hang Out?” from New York rocker, Dan Miraldi delivers an edge and rawness that sweeps the listener up and along with the track’s progression.

There is a bit of Punk roots to the sound, but still a nice Commercial driven quality that makes this track transcend any one genre and feel like a true rock and Roll banger and a song for the times.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger