The Sweet Kill - Undead [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Delivered in a deep baritone reminiscent of Nick Cave, The Sweet Kill gives us a track perfect for the season. ‘Undead’ isn’t purely a Halloween track, but it does fit the mood and vibe of this time of year.

The press release details include this description ... THE SWEET KILL is a one-man Post-Punk, Dark & Gothic artist. Driven by cold synths, atmospheric guitar and melodic bass, multi-instrumentalist and velvety crooning baritone, Pete Mills conducts a Darkwave masterpiece of romantic sorrow echoing the laments of The Cure and Joy Division.

The track is a dark romantic ode to an immortal being in love with a mortal facing peril and the is left with no choice bu tto convert his love so they can be together for eternity.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Stemmas - Eyes Wide Open [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Stemmas are an emerging, Indie musical collective started by guitarist and executive producer, Jerry Conrad, and lead vocalist Tommy White but expanded to an impressive group of accomplished artists and collaborators.

’Eyes Wide Open’ is a timeless rock song of boredoma nd questioning and taking a chance to find what answers might be out there in the world. This is Rock and Rolls as it should be, but is seldom heard these days int he glossy world of manufactured corporate music. The right kind of grit and IDGAF attitude, with the video to match.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sannia - august [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As they say, you never forget your first love. ‘August’ was written about a lost love and the what-might-have-beens of that initial, tangible foray into dreaming of happily ever after.

Sannia delivers the lyrics with a mix of wistful nostalgia, and tender heartbreak to make you feel the heartbreak and lost opportunity. The track shifts from slow and tender to upbeat and regretful, and the blend is intoxicating. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lauren Waller - Dopamine [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A dark brooding song about plummeting over the edge and falling in love too fast.

We all crave that hit of ‘Dopamine,’ and this track from Lauren Waller explores our vulnerability when we want anything a bit too much.

This Alt Pop track delivers the foreboding and sensual side of putting yourself out there in harm’s way, at least in an emotional kind of way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

John Newman - Guiding Light [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A smoothly delivered track with a nice escalation up front to light the fuse. John Newman wrote this as an ode to his newborn daughter, though the track has a universal appeal that will resonate for listeners and take on new personal meaning for them as well.

The track has a nice uplifting energy, without going over the top making it a highly listenable track as good for a party, personal reflection while driving alone in the car, or simply chilling with a handful of friends. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

britta raci - embarrassing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“There are many dimensions to a breakup, and just as many songs detailing the emotional toll, however few if any take a look at the embarrassment aspect of heartbreak. Reliving and rehashing all the things you said to them when blinded by love, and of course the public shame of having to explain to others what went wrong. Britta Raci covers that and then some in her Pop leaning Alt Rock track called ‘Embarrassing.’ The writing is solid and the emotions tangible, thanks to a passionate and emotive delivery.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Flora Cash - HOLY WATER [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Right in time for the season, Flora Cash sprinkles some dark ethereal ‘HOLY WATER’ into your ears. Let me share a few words direct from the artists before I say more msyelf

’As the veil between worlds thins approaching Halloween, this track tells a story of timeless connections and souls reuniting, merging mythic themes with contemporary Indie Pop nuances. Shpresa Lleshaj’s haunting lead vocal and Djordje Milanovic’s mournful violas stand out above a dynamic and almost operatic production.’ ~ Flora Cash

The haunting vocals mesmerize, as does the violin accompaniment. Far too many seasonal songs take a cliched and often kitschy angle, but this track is a perfect balance and is artistic in a way few such songs pull off. So much so, I hesitate to call it a holiday track as it is something I will be listening to year round.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

EĐĐIE - Freak on Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This high-energy track has a classic Alternative Rock vibe that can be called a selp hype track. By that I mean anyone who needs a confidence boost or shot of adrenaline to get through their workout or simply motivate them to take on the day.

An anthem to the hustlers and go-getters, ‘Freak On Fire,’ is a musically supercharged track. The vocals at times do not match the musical energy though the juxtaposition does add a a touch of intrigue as well. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Josh Rabenold - Easy Money [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Everyone is searching for that easy life ... easy job, easy love, and of course ‘Easy Money.’ But usually, none of it is all that easy to come by, and when it appears to be so, there is always a hidden fee that might cost you even more in the end.

Josh Rabenold unleashes that very dynamic on this well-written, and haunting song that falls between Americana and Alt Country, with just a hint of pop vocals added to the mix.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Call Us Janis - The Greatest [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“We all need a hype song from time to time. German band, Call US Janus gives us ‘The Greatest’ a straightforward and energetic ode to self-promotion and motivation.

Add this track to your workout playlist, or play it right before walking into demand that raise ,or anytime you need to a shot of confidence and ego to rally you into action.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rally 4 Reality - Jebediah [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Songs about people, (actual or fictional) can be tricky, but his one works in that it also feels like true tangible history as much as a fictionalized account. The American Dream isn’t the same for everyone and isn’t easy for anyone, and the lyrics here give us a taste of that dynamic.

This track from Rally 4 Reality is a tribute and ode to Robert Jebediah Freeman the Grandad from Adult Swim’s ‘The Boondocks.’”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Fletcher Moudy - Let Your Hand Slip [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The one night stand is often romanticized and for good reason. The thrill of carnal excitement, and the potential of where it could go are boundless. ‘Let Your Hand Slip’ captures those emotions and feeling and the hard vocal edge of Fletcher Moudy sell it well here. The arrangement is a bit erratic, just like a heartbeat in such situations, and the resulting song sweeps you in just as if lust were leading you along.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

king dem0 - coma [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The world can be an overwhelming place and that is exactly what king dem0’s track ‘coma’ is all about.

The song somewhat reminded me of Beck with a British accent, though with more of a vocal groove and flair to that side of the the production. The arrangement and musical side is a bit funky and blurs the lines of genre which adds to the track’s almost chaotic vibe which is the perfect way to express the intent of the song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

KYO! - Ran It All Up [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Some tracks are simply a groove and vibe. ‘Ran It All Up’ from KYO! is such a song. Riding a smooth flow and steady beat KYO! delivers an emotional ode to growing up and taking care of your business no matter the missteps along the way. It is the song of life so to speak, with the ups and downs and the perseverance to keep laying it out there while you chase your goals and dreams.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lily Kershaw - Depreshmode [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Lily Kershaw comes in with heartfelt and vulnerable vocals that reminded me of vintage Emmylou Harris.

’Depreshmode’ is as tenderly written as it is performed. The emotion and gritty realness of depression is perfectly rendered and delivered. A song that will speak to all of us that have experienced dark times and deep holes and kept on battling through to the other side.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jay Dutch x BiiG Dreams - About That Time [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A dose of truth and honesty is always a good idea, and here Jay Dutch delivers exactly that as he lays out the difficult road to success in the music industry, and in a broader sense the world.

Haters gonna hate and doubters gonna doubt, and when given the chance, the hustlers are gonna take what they can from you.

’About That Time’ is about believing in yourself and holding that hard line until you rise above all those looking to drag you down. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Halover -Better State of Mind [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Today is not tomorrow or yesterday. Halover’s “Better State of Mind” is a sad yet energetic Indie Pop song. It reveals the type of mood someone can be in but also provides affirmations that tomorrow will be better. Anyone that listens is able to follow the range of the guitar strings and pick up on every mood Halover has. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Melodic Yoza -Where The Love Go [Review]

Rating: 2 out of 5

“I like the amazing sound of the chorus. It gives you a Caribbean yet Gospel tempo. It also gives you a powerful and uplifting vibe to want to be loved. However, despite the positive energy in the production I didn’t truly grasp the powerful message.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

A-Zal -Lonely Town [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We always wonder how someone started their career. A-Zal takes us on his personal journey from being a New York subway musician to writing sound tracks for Marvel Studios. “Lonely Town” is the story of an underdog and his breakthrough. The soft delivery makes the song sound sad but it creates a relax comfort of accomplishment.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Hana Lili - Small Talk [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hana Lili hooked me from the onset on ‘Small Talk,’ an anthem for anxious over-thinkers everywhere.

Hana says, “I wrote ‘Small Talk’ because I realised it was something I find difficult sometimes, ‘Small Talk’ is a song about hiding behind small talk in conversation to avoid being vulnerable.”

Lili’s emotive vulnerability is what first drew me tot he track and with each listen I still feel it giving the track a lasting power and a permanent place of several of my playlists. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger