Amanda Spvde - Other Girls [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The slow beat and tempo would not work nearly as well without Amanda Spvde’s stellar vocals on this track, but as it is, the balance is perfect.

Here, the heartbreak builds and is palpable throughout the track because of the outstanding vocal performance, and the production got out of the way to allow that magic to happen. This is a track to play on repeat when your own heart is caught in those vulnerable moments at the end of a relationship.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Krystle Dos Santos - Buried Alive [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bluesy and soulful, Krystle Dos Santos lays down a heartfelt track highlighting the emotions of trying to escape an abusive relationship. The song has a theatrical feel, building as the tension escalates.

The storytelling behind the song is purposeful and carries the worthwhile intent of bringing a dark problem out into the open. This is an entertaining track, but the message is just as worthwhile. Domestic Abuse is not a problem to look away from so perhaps this track will help someone in need. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

D. - Love Live Life [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This Hip-Hop track offers both, wisdom rooted in reflection, and unabashed swagger fueled by dreams and confidence.

With lyrics that speak to who he is, and how he got here, D. does an excellent job of delivering this flow with passion and confidence. This track offers a glimpse into his past, but the resonance stems from the fact his takeaways from these experience are ones we can all use.

Add in a nice musical groove and the track is both entertaining and enlightening. ”

— 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)

Zali - That Girl [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The taste of regret is never an easy one to swallow and Zali conjured the memories of that flavor with ‘That Girl.’ Soulful Pop is the sound here as the track delivers attitude from the perspective of the one you let go, and now find yourself wishing you didn’t.

This is a fun song that should resonate for those on both sides of the emotional spectrum because you relate if you are the one who screwed up, or are the one who can hold your head high in knowing your ex now regrets all of their mistakes. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ziva - I. Otherside [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ziva will no doubt draw comparisons to Billie Eilish and while there are definite similarities between the artists, the teenage Ziva is a unique talent all on her own right.

This track is smooth and soulful, with a dark emotional thread carrying it to the end. The horn delivered a nice touch to the melody and brought with it just enough uptempo and funk to take this single to another level.

I can’t wait to hear more from this rising talented singer/songwriter as she moved forward with what should be a long career given her obvious talents.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kayla Rae - Get Close [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We have featured a few songs on LA on Lock from Kayla Rose now so it is safe to say we dig her vocal talent. This latest single, ‘Get Close’ is a fun flip of the 90’s Maxi Priest hit, ‘Close To You.’

Playing off the lyrics from that single, this track delivers a fresh contemporary Pop/R&B vibe that stands out fully of its own strengths. The tie in here is more of a fun fact, than a requirement to enjoying Rae’s latest single. That said it is fun to give both a listen to get both sides of the story.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Parris LaVon - Iris In Bloom [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Parris LaVon’s drops an emotional track speaking to, and honoring his mother.

Saying goodbye is tough, and the array of emotions that hit us while trying to do so can be overwhelming. The lyrics here reflect all of that in a way that makes us the listener feel his struggles, hope, love, and sadness.

’Iris In Bloom’ is a track that would make any mother proud and all the more so when it comes from a talent like LaVon.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jacqui Fauni - Computation [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a fun and sassy song and honestly, the line ... dial 1-800 stay the fuck out of my life ... had me hooked for good.

The tone hear is light and airy and the writing clever and zingworthy throughout. The upbeat tempo is defiant yet fun and the vocal flow uses a few different paces to keep it fresh and engaging.

A fun song start to finish. ”

— 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)

Elias Burbick - Yesterday [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The vocal flow rides the smooth, easy groove you expect with Contemporary R&B, but what stands out here is the emotional refrain that pulls you in tight.

Elias Burbick makes us feel every word of the lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LEIO - 342 [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A beautifully delivered emotional track that pulls you in, and holds you with strong lyrics and a passionate performance.

The imagery of the video completes the package. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Swatkins - Gotta Give It Away (If You're Gonna Keep It) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I dig this old-school funk for both its simple, straightforward beat and melody, and the subtle complexity behind the lyrics.

This is the kind of song you can groove on over and over again, while diving deeper and deeper into the lyrical meaning. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tyler Shamy - Pills [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There are lots of songs about battling depression, but few if any nail the struggle as well as this track.

’Pills’ brings an up and down energy, an array of emotion, and an engaging narrative that feels real and entertaining without sacrificing emotion or impact. Style wise this is Commercial Pop with a hard beat and an Electro Pop melody over soulful vocal delivery, ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

J Warner - Stay For A While [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Classic R&B sound with a contemporary splash.

Smooth and soulful, this is a sultry, mood-setting track and video that rides the line between lustful and loving.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Derek Luh - Hoodie [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Letting go is tough to do, and many of us have attached our emotions to an inanimate object.

’Hoodie’ delivers these feelings in a nice steady flow that is as comfortable to wrap around you as your favorite, time-worn garment. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kirby Maurier - Key$ [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Soulful and energetic, ‘Key$’ rides a hard beat and R&B vocals to create a genre bending Hip-Hop track that feels commercial, without sacrificing its soul.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Micayla De Ette & Flavor Flav - Write a Song [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Micayla De Ette kicks this off with powerful vocals that call and plead and express every artist’s desire to ‘Write A Song’ that will change the world.

Been a minute since I’ve heard from Flavor Flav, but his flow is a perfect juxtaposition here, and this track is engaging all the way through.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

WVZ - Company [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A smooth, easy groove about falling in love with someone you never planned on being part of your life. A relationship others might warn you against, but feels right for you.

The tracks began a little disjointed for me, but once it settles into that R&B rhythm, the single falls into a delightful glide.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

MONTE.XTO - Runaway [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“There is that moment in most relationships where you fear the feelings of attraction and personal attachment. The need of another person is a scary thing and if the person you need sees you in a bad light there is little to do to stop them from being a ‘Runaway.’ This track captures all of this in a smooth, Contemporary R&B style.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)