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)

Todays Youth - Feel It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is an uplifting genre bender that hints at Reggae, Pop, and a vintage Rock sound without ever fully committing to any well-defined genre. The single brigns a big sweeping vibe that almost reminded me of ‘We Are The World’ in its message and spirit.

The vintage message at the end of the video is a nice touch that brings the lyrics home quite well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ivan Beecroft - The Candyman [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A dark and dangerous look at drug addiction, ‘The Candyman’ uses a 90’s era beat and sound to deliver a warning about your friendly neighbor hood drug dealer.

Rock vocals that feel sticky and gritty deliver the goods on this track which feels almost apocalyptic. The imagery of the video adds an entire layer to the vibe of this track. Together the package puts a tangible spin on an untouchable dilemma.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Caity Krone - Thank You for the Sunday Paper [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There is no day quite as lonely as a Sunday. Something about the end of the weekend, and a the quiet stillness inherent in the day begets reflection and induces that Sunday Sadness.

Caity Krone taps into that with ‘Thank You for the Sunday Paper,’ a true songwriters lament of love gone away. The slow melodic build fits perfect with the emotion of the lyrics, and her performance brings it all home by making you truly feel this song in every word and note. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hövring - Revolution [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Perhaps the ‘Revolution’ in question is one to return to a time when Rock music was loud and fast and carried an edge. If so, HÖVRING is one of the leaders of the charge.

This track is simply pure old school Rock and Roll. Straight out of Denmark this single brings the drums sound you’d expect, the front man energy you need, and of course, an attitude that leaves you ready to challenge the world.”

— 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)

We Adore You - Yesterday's Grace [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A straightforward rock sound with hints of Dylan and Petty in the sound. Lyrically, the track is about appreciating a relationship even after its times has ended, making this a song about personal growth and reflection. The melody adds to the the vibe here, and the single is one that you hear and can’t help but remember your own past. The words unfurl like a tapestry of memories of what might have been, and what actually was. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Make You Cry - From the Loving Hands of Our Creator [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Don’t be fooled by the title of Make You Cry’s latest single, ‘From The Loving Hands Of Our Creator’ into thinking this is an uplifting bolt of inspirational lightness. Perhaps the song does offer its own brand of inspiration, but make no mistake this is a dark and brooding rock song.

The vocals are nuanced and emotional and the video offers up some evil rabbit imagery to add an element of appropriate weirdness to the metaphor of choice that the lyrics pose. ”

— 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)

Shea Abshier & The Nighthowlers - Take Me 2 Your Hell [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Some songs just land different, and you know immediately to shut up, lean forward, and listen closer. ‘Take Me 2 Your Hell’ is such a song.

Shea Abshier & The Nighthowlers deliver an emotional set of lyrics that hits you right square in the emotional gut, like a lover in the wake of a toxic breakup, which is exactly what this track is about.

Call this rock. Call it alternative. Hell, call it Americana if you want, but the label doesn’t really matter because when the execution is this intense, the genre is nothing more than a label to slap on to what is in fact, simply damn good music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Native Sun - Juarez [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is in your face Rock and Roll in the style of New York Punk that hints at the past, but delivers a modern take lyrically.

The video begins calm enough, but the imagery is such that you know an explosion is forthcoming and Native Sun delivers exactly that. This collection of hard-rocking immigrants writes and sings about their experiences in what might be the biggest divide this country faces. And they do it with passion and verve.”

— 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)

southpost - Homesick [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Regret is a powerful emotion and this track does a great job of imparting the pain associated with that very thing. Pure rock sound with instrumentation that conveys as much as the lyrics this track drips with yesterday’s tears. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Amy Guess - Holy Hell [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This track has a fairly common rock structure, but the vocals save it from feeling overly familiar. Amy Guess does a great job of providing a varied sound in the performance — each alluring in its own right. The chorus strikes hard and fast and delivers a punch.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Philip Morgan Lewis - Blowtorched Dreams [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Bluesy and moody, this track conjures emotion and imagery before the vocals ever hit. The attitude continues in both the performance and lyrical content. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Confetti - Ghost [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Don’t vanish before you take a listen to this track by Confetti.

No matter which side of the ghosting phenomenon you find yourself on, you will appreciate the lyrics and energetic Alternative Rock vibe to this single. Catchy in a way ghosts, nor those bad Tinder dates, ever are, this is a track you will want to listen to more than once.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

EMM - Lady [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Love how the vocals cut through the track. I also like the fringer effect on the voice. Makes the voice more like an instrument. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Hey Buddy - Happily in Denial [ Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This is a happy little track that will have you cruising down a road of endless possibilities.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)