#LAOnLockExclusive: Link Lewis - "Beat Down" [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Piano, bass, hi-hats and much more is what you are in for in Link Lewis’s song “Beat Down.” With an eclectic mix of instrumentals, Lewis perfectly tops it off with his soulful and velvety voice. He writes from the heart with lyrics like “I’ve been feeling beat down/ just let it go..” tapping into our insecurities and urging us to take a deep breath and move on. With an increase in mental health issues amongst young adults, songs like these are important. The gyrating tempo and rhythmic beats create a positive sound that matches its uplifting lyrics. This is a good one.”

— BGiraldo

Benzi - Whatcha Gon Do [Review]

Rating 3.5 out of 5

“From that first beat, Benzi demands your attention.

The question asked in this refrain is simple to answer ... ‘Whatcha Gon Do’ ... is listen to this track over and over.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

CAii - The Carousel [Review]

Rating 4.5 out of 5

“With a decidedly British sound from the first beat ‘The Carousel’ feels like it belongs on the soundtrack to a James Bond movie.

Intriguing and alluring vocals add a mysterious element to this cat and mouse game between a would-be couple.
Production is top notch and just when you think you are settled in for a smooth ride the track surprises in delightful ways.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Peridot - Fleeting [Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I felt every word.
I believed every word.

Sweet mournful vocals accompany this well-written song of longing. The piano and strings are the perfect accompaniment to this voice.

Fleeting describes much of life and Peridot has captured it oh so well with this release.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Where Is Kobi? - Waking Up [Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This light and airy melody makes it hard to sit still, and combined with a fun set of lyrics this single will have you signing along .

Where Is Kobi?

We can all hope back in the studio recording another fun Pop hit for the world to hear.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Liv Dawson - Pushing 21 [Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A description like ... ‘Soft vocals with an edge,’ sounds like an oxymoron, but Liv Dawson pulls off exactly that with Pushing 21. A decidedly commercial offering, this single infuses enough emotion and commonality to engage listeners.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

Curly Chuck & TyC - Sharktank [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dive in because the water is thumping in this ‘Sharktank.’ Lyrics razor sharp and a ragged delivery that brings out the emotion. A track with some real splash.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dylan Rockoff - Awesome [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“An easy pop track destined to be a summer hit as it is easy to smile and groove too.

And Hey, who doesn’t want to feel ‘Awesome’?”

— Travis Erwin LA on Lock Blogger

Bene - Soaked [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This one truly does get soaked up in your brain. Smooth alluring vocals and a nice easy groove carry a set of vocals that say more than you would assume at first listen. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

DAX - My Last Words [Review]

Rating 4.5 out of 5

“The intro is dark, but real, and the lyrics launch off from from this with something to say. Far too many tracks fall into the trap of a convenient rhyme rather than writing with a clear message. ‘My Last Words’ is powerful and raw and delivers a truth that is far too uncommon in most songwriting.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jahan Nostra - El Chapo (feat. Ceschi) [Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Songs carry a power to entertain, educate and enlighten and this song carries that three-pronged torch well.

The production and delivery are solid here, but this track is about the message and emotion.

Reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar this is music with something to say. And say it well as cartel leader El Chapo is not glorified here, but rather used as a metaphor of political protest.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

EMAN8 - IOU ft. Kid Quill [Review]

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

“Get up on your feet and groove along to IOU. From the bouncy piano to the jovial melody and uplifting lyrics this is a feel good ditty about appreciating the good people in your life.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

The Graylings - In The Night [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Vocals dripping with emotion that conjure up thoughts of old school Emmylou. The lyrics are brought out not only in the stellar delivery, that feels true and authentic, but also by the perfectly balance melody. Smooth and soft and haunting all at the same time.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

James Deacon - Not Givin' Up [Review]

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

“‘Not Given Up’ rolls out to your ears feeling like three songs in one, and the entire trio is engaging and entertaining. The vocals pulled me in and held me tight through all three delivery styles and musically this track gets out of the way so that the emotions and lyrics carry the way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

The Eiffels - "Spin Around" [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“I dig the retro 80’s vibe to this one. An instant toe-tapper, Spin Around will get you moving and when this one comes on the radio, you will have no choice but to turn up the dial and groove along! ”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

MarKaus - "Bounce Rap" [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track delivers with a infectious beat, back dropped by a haunting air raid siren that could have overshadowed all else with the wrong production, but as is the balance of the music and words and that siren only serves to punctuate a set of lyrics that speak loud and clear. The delivery is engaging and raw and the emotional bounce held me in the groove. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

NGHTMRE & A$AP Ferg - "REDLIGHT" [Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Raw and powerful, this track brings gritty emotion in a hard definitive delivery. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

The Holy Gasp - "A Daily Affirmation" [Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The words, You Gotta Love Yourself are repeated in this “Daily Affirmation” and that is for damn sure a message we all need at times, but what I love about this track is the surprising boldness of the music in conjunction with touching, yet wryly humorous lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

Maez301 - "Get 'Em" [Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Get’Em is a track that grabs you instantly, and when I say grab, I do not mean in a gentle embrace, but with a fistful of your shirt. As hip-hop should be, this one catches your attention and holds it as you listen to a delivery that both antagonizes and delights. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)

Equal Echo - "Pandora" [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The groove is evident from the first beat. The smooth vocals lured me in like a siren of the sea and held me throughout the trip this track took me down. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA On Lock Blogger)