Girlcrush - I'm Easy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written after a sex dream, the group is quoted as saying, ‘We hope this track makes people horny!’

Which begs the question ... Is there any purer motivation to create music out there? Straight out of Denmark, Girlcrush describe themselves as ... Queer-feminists playing jangly, earnest pop-punk.

’I’m Easy’ gives off a sultry rock vibe that harkens thoughts of Joan Jett, The Go-Gos, and other that paved the way, but the band still feels original and contemporary by delivering their own sound and attitude.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Thee Unemployed - Decade [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Thee Unemployed layers in a bit of funk-infused energy to their latest track, ‘Decade.’ This duo utilizes a fast paced flow to lay out their confident belief that this is their decade to shine and make their mark.

The energy gathers you in on this track and the lyrical flow comes straight at you in a way that is irresistible. Get ready to move with this one.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Loudmouth Lisa - Ata Corina [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Straight up rock guitar, like you rarely hear these days ,ushers in this track which offers a unique sound and delivery style to lay out the wryly sharp lyrics. You could call this metal for the jaded thinking man, or supercharged Rock and Roll for those unafraid to take a stimulating lyrical journey into the minds of the pissed off and the fed up.

Maybe those are one and the same, but Loudmouth Lisa is clearly a band that doesn’t really give a shit what you call their message — long as you heed the words.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gato Blanco - Uma Gota D'água [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Throw in an infectious ‘Wooly Bully’ brand of beat, and a funky bit of lyrical hook ala ‘Mambo #5’ and you will have an idea what to expect when you give ‘Uma Gota D’água’ from Gato Blanco a listen.

This song is all about getting you up and moving and no there is not a lot of lyrical punch overall, but what is here will no doubt get stuck in your head. You’ve been warned — this is pure earworm, but it is the fun and groovy earworm that we all need from time to time.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Othenic x Spencer Schmitt - Ricky Bobby [Review]

“Who is Ricky Bobby? A Nascar character from the movie Talladega Nights.

When you hear Nascar and nights you think fast and exciting right? Well that is exactly what Othenic and Spencer Schmitt gives in their new single Ricky Bobby. Radio friendly, Tik-Tok approved, and mixed and mastered out of his bedroom; this song has a beat that keeps you going. Every flow is dope like the 80s but the two also come on strong allowing their energy to be consistent.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

RICKY BOBBY BABY

JJ Shiplett - All Comes Back to You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“If you love the movie ‘Notebook’ and watching Hallmark on Sundays then you will love ‘All Comes Back to You’ by JJ Shiplett. In an empty bar with his guitar he narrates a love story of two people who are enjoying one another. No matter where they end up in life, they grasp and hold on to the moments they shared together.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Sofiane Pamart - Nara [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track toes the line between classical and contemporary and it does so with a cinematic flair that is as mesmerizing as it is alluring and mysterious. Instrumentals are all about evoking an emotional response and attachment and this piano piece certainly did that for me. Calm, but not boring, Mysterious, but not aloof. This is a track that transcends sound and almost feels like visual art.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

THE LAST ALEXANDER - Break Da Safe [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track utilizes the beat and production behind it as well as any music out there. The writing comes with a solid hook, and the vibe is made all the stronger for the way it is unfurled around the beat rather than on top if it. The flow is engaging and the lyrics wryly sharp, making this a track you can easily connect to, and fall in step with. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Covaboy - Second Wind [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Packing a lyrical punch that delivers power and truths of the world we live in, Covaboy’s track, ‘Second Wind’ is the kind of song that sticks with you long after the last note.

Coming with an old school 90’s Rap vibe, the beat and flow are direct and unflinching. The haunting vocal sample frames the piece well and really adds an emotional layer to the track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mighty - Faith [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lean in and pay attention, because Mighty is going to keep you on your ties with his latest single, ‘Faith.’

In a track that brings in a wealth of styles and sounds across multiple genres, MIghty gives us a track that feels big, bold, and inventive. The fact this arrangement was able to pull off such a mix without coming across as a song trying to do too much speaks loud of the talent involved.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Yung Gravy "oops!" - [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Make no mistake Yung Gravy knows what he’s doing at the mic, and he knows what he’s doing with your lady. Don’t be fooled by the ‘Oops’ and mocking tone of his latest track, he ain’t playin’ play. This is aa fun lively track full of wry humor and swag in pure Yung Gravy style. Get on board and have some fun by checking out Yung Gravy’s entire new album, Gasanova, which is out now.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Zachary Kibbee - Somewhere To Put My Gold [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Take a little 70s Funk, toss in some old school Magnum P.I. vibesn and coat it all in straight up Rock and Roll and you have a good idea what is going on with Zachary Kibbee on his latest track, ‘Somewhere To Put My Gold.’

The video is straightforward, but adds to the retro feel with its credit style. This is a track that just lodges in your bones and allows you to straight up rock out. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

This Modern - Next Time Around [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Reminding me a bit of Linkin Park, This Modern is a Phoenix based rock band, that delivers on all three elements with their latest track, ‘This Time Around.’

The writing is strong and offers a nice blend of hook and meaningful impact to keep you leaning in as a listener. The musicianship behind it adds to that power, and the vocal delivery is emotive and engaging. This is a band to keep your eyes and ears on.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Juliette Reilly - Wrong Ones [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Unrequited love tends to feed into all of our fears and insecurities. At times the risk of extending ourselves only to be rejected keeps us from loving at tall. This song is for all those who love a little too hard a little too often and often pay the price. The suffering sucks, but these are the people that make the world worth living and we should celebrate them for bring more love to the world. So here is a talented and energetic ode to those who dare to love. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sweetlove - "The House" [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A beautifully written and performed song about grief, and the realization that while love is the very thing that makes such loss hard to bear, it is also the thing that makes our lives worth living. So in the end we can’t have one without the other, and that realizing this can make our grief easier to comprehend and bounce back from. The concept is intricate and emotionally charged and still Sweetlove handles those intricacies with grace on this mellow track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Saint Chaos x Sam Tinnesz - Walk [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A motivational Rock Anthem that belongs on your workout, or simply your — get out of bed and kick ass, playlist.

Saint Chaos delivers a a touch of Imagine Dragons to the sound, though ‘Walk’ offers its own unique edge for sure. The energy and determination shine through on the track and I dare you to listen without feeling a jolt of adrenaline come your way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cloudy June - Cheap Wine & Vodka [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cloudy June is fast becoming one of my favorite voices that we feature here on LA on Lock. Per usual June’s writing delivers emotion and impact to match the talented performance. The blend of light and heavy is intriguing on this track, as it mirrors the complexities of our emotions.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Bella Paton - Underwater [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The track set a nice ambience early on and the vocal flow adds to that with a tranquil smooth entry. Bella Paton offers her refreshing talent in a slow steady build that keeps the listern leaning in and emotionally invested. ‘Underwater’ is a mood and one we have all found ourselves in.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

KidCress (Keeco) - BackRoads [Music Video Review]

Rating 3 out of 5

“We all like to kick it with our family even if its in the backyard. ‘Backroads’ reminds me of being in the country in the middle of nowhere but seeing nice houses with big backyards. KidCress’s new single and visual is a tribute to the memories he has with his family. Over a melodic guitar sound he talks about everything they do from chewing tobacco to grilling burgers and chillin with family and friends on the “Backroads.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Theo Kandel - Around the Bend [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track feels a lot like having a conversation with a friend, and since a lot of my friends are musicians and artists, I have actually had similar heartfelt talks about the creative and promotion process many times. The lyrics of this track are as natural and unassuming as any of those talks. There are a few places where the vocals almost get too emotional and lose their edge but those place s are also what makes this track so endearing for me.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)