Chief Kelly - Lovely Bones [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Putting this single in any particular box is a tough task. Chief Kelly delivers a vocal sound that is perfectly attuned the the Indie Alternative designation, but this single has definite Hip-Hop sensibilities as well.

What stands out most for me is the passion and energy of the performance, and that makes ‘Lovely Bones’ a gripping listen no matter what label you stick on the track. The build and progression had me in its grip to the end. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sarah Barrios - Happy [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The best Pop music is able to say something and covey real emotion without sacrificing the catchy hook and energetic vibe. ‘Happy’ was written specifically about the unburdening elation and confusion of waking up without the fear and anxiety of hiding. Sarah Barrios created the track about the coming out experience, and it is certainly powerful in understanding that dynamic for those of us on the other side who have never lived through such an experience. That said this track also has a broader appeal for any of us that are emerging from beneath fear or darkness of any kind.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Adam Douglas - Build A Fire [Review[

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Adam Douglas is a man of the world. Born and raised in Oklahoma, but now calling Norway home after a fair amount of travelling, he offers a timeless sound and style that transcends genre and demographics. WIth a soulful groove and a sultry crooners vocals, Douglas truly does ‘Build A Fire’ that will keep listening leaning in for the warmth.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Zikai - Stay This Way [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Right about now all of us are wishing we could go back to easier, simpler times. Losing yourself in a memory and place in time is something we all do in our daydreams and Zikai has given that practice an Afro-Beat with a R&B groove sound that brings to life better times and hope for the future because of it. THe vocal talent shines and the soft alluring vocals offer all the hook we need.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tiny Jag - d0nt U (with WTM Scoob) [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Sometimes an artist has enough of that so-called ‘IT’ factor to carry a tune, and that was the case here for me as Tiny Jag conveyed enough passion and attitude to keep me leaning in and listening on a track that did not always do enough to stand out from the fray, arrangement wise.

The talent is unquestioned, and there are some great lines and emotion, but I would have liked to find that one moment to make me truly fall in. That said, the talent and ‘IT’ factored carried me through and I can’t wait to hear more from this artist.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Digitalz - Ritual [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With a theatrical build and a slow vocal build, ‘Ritual’ is the combined effort of Parisian duo Adrien & Thibault who are known together as Digitalz. The track unfolds like a well written Electro Pop story with the music and production conveying as much emotion as the lyrics and vocal performance. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lex Holmes - Camera Roll [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We all have those old camera shots that transpose us back in time in an instant. With the new single, ‘Camera Roll,’ Lex Holmes unfurls the emotions of such a trip and the times behind it.

The Indie Rock sound, and slow tempo of the track combine to hook the listener in and put them in the perfect place to reflect on their own set of images.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Brianna Marie - Haunting You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“New York-based singer-songwriter and rising artist Brianna Marie kicks off her 2021 with brand-new single “Haunting You”. An exquisitely addictive song, it showcases Brianna’s empowered attitude, bold lyricism and stunning vocals, ensuring she is one to watch in 2021.

I like the sound of suspense snippet in the beginning. Then as her vocals come in she gives us a dramatic yet pop delivery. Brianna Marie’s new single ‘Haunting You’ is about feelings that exist whether or not you are near the person. She tends to describe her feelings and is curious to know if the feelings are mutual.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

“Haunting You” also reveals an extremely appealing theatrical component to Brianna’s sound; it’s very anthemic and orchestral, which isn’t typical to pop and helps her to stand apart from other artists in the genre. With “Haunting You” setting the tone for Brianna’s 2021 in a major way, we’re anticipating a great year ahead for her, and we can’t wait to see what else she has in store.”

The Crease Rule - 3 Way Stop [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A Punk anthem for everyone out there riding around with burger wrappers on their floorboard and disdain in their heart for the status quo. An energetic, straight forward delivery keeps you leaning in on the lyrics and in the end the track feels like a reaffirmation for everyone unwilling to compromise and fall in line with the masses.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

4L Gang - 'No MakeUp' [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“You may have never heard of Cuthbert, Ga but you have heard 4L Gang. Since their viral song ‘Tack By The Cat’ , 4L Gang has been delivering music that sticks to anyone who listens. Their new single ‘No Make Up’ isn’t a party song but a song of introduction that you can ride to. As they turn a ‘Basic Bxtch’ into a model, ‘They spin like the Lakers’ because they are winning. From Southwest Georgia viral to Tik Tok viral they are introducing the industry to how talented a group can takeover.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Amanda Ayala - Hooked [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Amanda Ayala has had successful runs on NBC’s, ‘The Voice’ as well as Prime’s, ‘Who Will Rock You?’ Now the talented vocalist is belting out her emotion on a new single, ‘Hooked.’ This big Electro Pop track has a dark undercurrent that brings enough grit to keep the listener leaning in. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kane Miller - Catch My Heart [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Kane Miller is no stranger to our readers and listeners and the talented Canadian songwriter is back with a Folksy ode to the insecurities of love. A tender guitar melody and Miller’s emotive vocals draw us in and make us feel every word. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Zach Hood - Flashbacks [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is as honest and emotionally bare as music gets. Zach Hood drops a deeply personal Indie Pop song about the emotional effect on a child when one parent simply walks out of their life. Divorce is rough on all involved, and the imagery of the home videos here doubles down on the emotion of the track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Slaine - Chasing Ghosts (feat. Rite Hook) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Slaine might be ‘Chasing Ghosts,’ on this Hip-Hop track about old flames, but he won’t be chasing listeners after more people get a chance to hear this track. The gravel in his flow, and the heart in his words combined to have me leaning in and on the hook for the duration. The chorus featuring Rite Hook adds another element to the emotions of this single.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Callie Reiff x Lenii -The Kids Are All Rebels 2.0 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I had mixed reviews but realized the song stuck with me. ‘The Kids Are All Rebels ‘ is like a twisted Disney anthem. Callie Reiff has the bad girl pop vocals that let’s you know rules are meant to be broken. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Kobara - Addict to Your Love [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“If there was ever a story to be told then it would start with Kobara. Kobara’s new single ‘Addicted to Your Love’ is about having your heart stolen but still holding on to what you no longer have. He converts honesty into lyrics and provide us with a melody.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Covstline -Tattooed Lies [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rock isn’t dead; you just have to find the right tunes. Covstline’s new single ‘Tattooed Lies’ is an 80’s inspired production with a twist. The punk rock vocals introductory has a clever delivery. Every tattoo someone has tells a story and Tattooed Lies reveals that. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Alyssa Caroline - Not The One [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Alyssa Caroline comes with Commercial/Indie Pop single that speaks to to the insecurities lurking in most of us. There is a bit of a Taylor Swift flavor in the emotion, but for me the writing here is more honest and straightforward. ‘Not The One’ is an ode to anyone who feels like they are more of a second choice than a priority for others.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elijah Banks - Hard 2 Forget U [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Elijah Banks creates the emotion with a spot on performance that borders between Hip-Hop, and a more soulful R&B groove.

’Hard 2 Forget U’ is a track that owes its message to the one that got away, or escaped, or perhaps never quite was. It harkens of dashed love and missed opportunity in a yearning sort of way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Satellite Station - Satellites [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The Satellite Station delivers a tranquil atmospheric sound here on this track about the fleeting brightness of many relationships. Like ‘Satellites’ crossing the sky with a brief, but a bright glimmer, these short arcs of our lives have a bigger impact on the cosmos of our existence even though they come and go.

This is definitely a mood piece perfect for those reflective times when we are considering our own place in the universe.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)