paintriiip - MAKE WAVES [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Delivering a chill vibe, ‘MAKE WAVES’ is a tranquil track offering encouragement and inspiration.

The vocal are smooth and relaxing here and lyrically the track is urging you to be you. Without worrying about, or trying to keep up or impress others based upon their idea of success. Call it an anti conformity track if you want., but this is the kind of message we all need to hear from time to time. A perfect addition to your more reflective playlists. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Magic Seis - Pablo [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A smooth Latin beat backs the vocal flow on this track giving it an exotic and Reggae feel. The performance here held me with lyrics that offer a commentary on Hip Hop culture as well as Magic Seis own goals and aspirations.

The dream is often closer than we realize but the struggle to keep battling is tough. This track hints at that aspect while also using the metaphor to suggest it is important to be careful of who you keep close. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

J Soulstice & NugLife - With You [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This song feels like a perfectly busy day in the city, like those times when you are walking around feeling the sun on your face and catching various bits of a pleasing scent on the wind and conversation in the air. Then out of nowhere, a single sound cuts through the fray and captivates you. Could be a voice, a song, a distant beat. Intentional or not, but suddenly that is all you hear and you are alone in the world strutting along to your own personal groove. This single is that!

The vocal flow here begins amid a busy backing, but quickly pulled my focus in and I stay glued to that groove from that point on. This single feels like a stroll on that perfect day and this is one walk I want to take time and time again. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dajour Neufville - One Life [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This track toes that Hip-Hop/Pop line with a definite Electro edge to the beat and melody.

Dajour Neufville has a pleasing tone that sort of lulls you in like a snake charmer, and before you know it you are singing along and swaying to the groove. Lyrically the track is motivational in nature and does a good job of hitting you with a message without feeling blase.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kosha Dillz - Schmoozin' [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“I was captivated here right off the bat. Jewish Rap?

I can honestly say this is the best track from the genre I’ve ever heard. It is also the only track of Jewish Rap I’ve ever heard. But that really doesn’t matter because the track is well-written, and performed with passion and fervor, and that is what makes good music. No matter the genre.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dirt Dolla - Blue Dream [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A soulful and bluesy track with a nice Hip-Hop flow throughout, Dirt Dolla drops the single ‘Blue Dream,’ which has a bit of holiday nostalgia to it. That is not to say the track doesn’t have a resonance that works well all across the year because the lyrics are strong and the beat infectious.

Hard to pin a genre on this one so we will simply call it good music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

PSYCHON - Bad Santa [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Not sure I’d ever heard a rap from a pissed off Santa with attitude ... But now I have. Bold and crass, this track is a bit of raunchy Holiday fun with a nice banging bea to keep is thumping. that will appeal to fans of the movie with the same name.

The visuals of the video are entertaining as well. Not your typical Christmas song so don’t expect to hear this one piping across the mall while finishing up your shopping.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Skuzii - Ha-Bitch-Ual [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Riding a slow and steady beat, Skuzii drops a low-key flow that speaks some truths that resonates well. The chorus establishes a nice groove that holds you in between verses that call out society, as well as the ideals and thoughts most of us have at one time or another.

This is a laid-back track that will make you think about both yesterday and tomorrow. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Flipsyde - "Imagine Peace" [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Flipsyde might not have registered on your radar in a while, but this new single “Imagine Peace” is engaging and entertaining and proves the group still has wait it takes to hook you with a nice blend of voices and talents.

If you are unfamiliar with Flipsyde, you should catch up on their blacklist right after you give this track a listen.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Xander P - Friend Zone? [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A fun song that spins around the entire friend zone concept around. The tracks has a talented vocal flow, with some subtle but nice variation, over a steady beat that blends nicely.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

KOCH x Jet Lee Houdini - Prayers [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The verses spoke to me here more than the chorus, but overall this is a solid track that brings some emotion and a nice tone to the flows.

Lyrically the track has something meaningful to say and the message stuck to me through several listens. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

ARDY - MOTiVATE [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The flow is clean and fresh with a nice balance of emotion and passion. Lyrically this track offers hope and motivation. A solid track from a true talent.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Icon South x 92 - Freeze (Prod. by Icon South) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Smooth and melodic, ‘Freeze’ brings that easy groove that just falls into your consciousness as if you’ve been singing along to the song for years. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Samad Savage x Felisha George x Euphony - 75000 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A talented and topical flow highlighting a problem that is just now starting to gain the attention it calls for.

The fact there are so missing black women in this country is appalling and kudos to this track for shedding light on this sickening issue. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jackson Whalan - G.T.F.O.H. (feat. Myka 9) [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The chill easy vibe to the beat and melody contrasts nicely with the vocal flows, which have a decided West Coast feel.

I recommend you fire one up, and settle in on these lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Andres Javier - Whistleblower [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This high energy track is a call to get out and vote.

A political Hip-Hop flow with a nice beat and melody calling for the ouster of the Orange one. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Guyku - Easy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“There were times I absolutely loved this track, and times I began to question why I do. A unique track that drops a variety of sounds and styles on you, but captivating for damn sure.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rashad & Confidence - "Desires" [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This duo compliments each other over the top of a steady beat and a nice keyboard loop. The flows are unyielding and bring emotion and passion. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mitchell James - Breaking Points [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“I’m left with a dilemma on this track. I like the music. The writing is solid and the flow has pop enough to hold my focus all the way through.

That said, the video did not speak to me at all, especially the intro which hit me as a mediocre college assignment filmed by a group of buddies with no acting experience, after hitting happy hour at the local Holiday Inn.

But hey, we are a music blog and the music did its job. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Co'xa - Griefer [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track hits different.

So much so it isn’t easy to follow, but then again, grief is a twisted dark path that offers no real road map. So while many will dismiss the structure here, (based on the norms of music) this track is an exploration of human emotion, and I can’t think of a better artful expression for the way grief throbs and thumps and takes us to random places as we deal and cope with the pain.

I really only wish it went farther, and offered more, because the track is fairly short overall. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)