Infamous Mobb - "Like a Dream" (prod. by Havoc) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Infamous Mobb is back after a lengthy hiatus to give us a new single. ‘Like a Dream’ comes in with a laid-back, bluesy production from longtime collaborator, Havoc. That bit of grit sets the tone for the Mobb’s Big Twins, Ty Nitty, and Godfather Pt. III to spit their raw, realist bars about life as they know it in Queensbridge.

As the first single off their upcoming new album, ‘IM3,’ the track sets the bar high for Infamous Mobb’s return to the scene. The new album will include production from The Alchemist, DJ Muggs, Twiz The Beat Pro, DirtyDiggs, and more. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

David Redd - Say No More [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“David Redd brings a classic timeless Rock sound to his latest single, ‘Say No More.’ The art of songwriting is present in the lyrical structure of this track that conjures up thoughts of Springsteen, Isbell, Petty, and The Band.

Sitting somewhere between Rock and Americana this is a track that feels escapist somehow. A tune you would put on as you drive down a dark stretch of highway while trying to clear your mind or get away from something heavy and dark. There is enough emotional punch to make you feel but not so much that you can’t also feel free and alive as you listen.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Miles Morrison - Go Out (feat. Yo Gotti, Stunna Girl) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Hard beats, and in your face lyrics over a pure party vibe. That is what Miles Morrison gives you with ‘Go Out.’

Course nobody has been allowed to go out for a while now, but imagine the free for all that will come once it is safe to do so. This song’s vibe comes close to the hedonistic urges lurking inside us all right now. There is an old school raunchy side to this and combined with the beat and various vocals it all comes together just like the best of parties.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius - Easy Graces [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bringing a classic singer/songwriter vibe, Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius gives us this guitar driven track about loneliness amid a crowd. With lyrical nods to Dylan and Petty, the track has a hint of what can best be described as weed tranquility, but that is not to say there isn’t a deep meaning and takeaway.

The easy going vibe of ‘Easy Graces’ comes with a haunting quality that speaks to being misunderstood or worse unseen in a world that prizes itself on likes, shares and social engagement of all kinds.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mike Yorkz - Roaming [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The emotion behind the writing is honest and real on this track, and the overall vibe shines through. I did find myself wishing for a bit less production on the vocal side and a more rawness to the vocal flow, but the tone shows clear talent and I was kept on the hook by the genuine feelings behind this track. The chorus avoided the pitfall of reaching for a gimmick and simply let the emotion behind the song play out.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ben Labat - Born to Cross Lines [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The ability to make a listener truly feel the emotions of what you are singing is a gift, and Ben Labat shares that gift with his latest single, ‘Born to Cross Lines.’ A little Folk, a little soul, and a whole lot of talent are at the heart of the track. that pulls you in and holds you with a smooth melody and vocals that simply feel right and natural. This is the kind of emotion that comes from a life spent living forward and the hard earned wisdom is a gift for all that truly stop and focus on the lyrics and performance. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Chuck the Show - Truly Happy [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is the happiest depressing song you will ever hear!

Chuck the Show drops some self deprecating humor in this smooth ode to the disappointment we all call life. This is the kind of track that will make you smile while you begrudgingly admit the truth behind the dark cloud of the lyrics.

Wryly funny in a Bloodhound Gang kind of way with more of a soulful R&B style groove to most of the vocal flow. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Zoe Brush - Ego [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“I like that this track came in with a piano beat reminiscent of Dolly Parton’s classic ‘9 to 5.’ Like that famous track, Zoe Brush’s single, ‘Ego’ delivers attitude and a pissed off, not going to take it quietly vibe that makes the song come alive.

Brush begins with a bit of anger before the chorus transitions into a soft and cheerful, SCREW YOU! The juxtaposition of styles and temperaments really caught me by surprise and made me smile. This is a fresh new spin on the women scorned cliched though rarely is the women this clever and talented.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Criticals - Under Your Nose [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Criticals are a bad ass duo out of Nashville, but don;t let any preconceived ideas on the city’s musical heritage fool you. Few bands can bring that Rock attitude like these guys. ‘Under Your Nose’ is an energetic, attitude-fueled ode to that snow that comes in the little plastic baggies, and the women that it captivates.

A little Punk and a lot of Indie Rock vibe give this song its juice.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Claire London - Easy Does It [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Claire London has a vocal tone that feels both darkly theatrical and commercially alluring. This allows for a lot of diversity in sound and ‘Easy Does It’ utilizes this variation to keep you on the hook. Lyrically the track is about taking it easy on ourselves, though the writing is such that London stays on the right side of sentimentality. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

ZIKAI - Champagne For Breakfast [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“An Electro Pop track with one foot standing squarely in a classic R&B vibe, ‘Champagne For Breakfast’ offers a smooth sultry groove that hooks you from the the start.

ZIKAI is a rising Swedish star ready to explode internationally as well. Lyrically this track is about the easy rapport of a burgeoning love ... at least while the booze is flowing, but what happens the next morning?”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Neon Dreams - Sick of Feeling Useless [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Uplifting and energetic, ‘Sick of Feeling Useless’ is the new single from Halifax alt-pop duo Neon Dreams.

This is the kind of track that sweeps you up and carries you on the wave of bright sounds and clean vocals, but in order to achieve that, a track must also bring a lyrically relevance that connects for most of us. And this song certainly does that with a nice Pop vibe that gathers you in from the very first line. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Streetlight Shakers - The Story [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This upbeat, piano driven ballad is invigorating to the soul. ‘The Story’ highlights the fact that our stories each individually are never truly finished because each of our tales are interwoven with others and even once we are gone these interactions mean that threads of who and what we are carry on. The soaring chorus and vocals pull you along and the energy is truly palpable on the track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Girl Wilde - Alphabet Soup [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The aptly named, Girl Wilde truly delivers a wildness in the ragged vocal style of this new single, ‘Alphabet Soup.’

The raspy, almost pained sound to the early vocals will not land for everyone, but for me personally, the raw vulnerability and honesty of both the lyrics and performance were perfect and I was immediately dialed in.

This is the second track from Girl Wilde we have featured, and while the two brought different sounds, it is very clear this is a talented artist capable of delivering the needed emotion in diverse ways to engage and entertain. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

defbymisadventure - ender [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It is not easy to create Instrumental Hip-Hop beats that can elevate and stand alone to speak by themselves. Irish ER doctor defbymisadventure has done so with ‘Ender.’ The hard beats and linear build grabbed me, pulled me in, and kept there start to finish. I could feel the intensity within the progression and for the writer in me the story of the track inspired definite imagery. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

KIA - Worth It [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“KIA gives a song of self-worth and affirmation. With soaring vocals that radiate strength and determination, but do not run from either emotion or vulnerability, KIA’s talent is worthy of diva status, though this track’s lyrics are almost anti-diva in nature.

This track is not about tiara’s and ivory pedestals for one, but rather an anthem to remind us all that we are indeed ‘Worth It.’ ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Produkt x Rothstien - Supreme Wizards [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The writing here delivers authentic emotion and strong imagery. You can taste and feel the grit and scenes described in this track. The flow is steady and deliberate, but there is enough variation to bring home to message. The beat and production gets out of the way for the most part but adds enough layers to the track to help establish the mood and soul of this piece. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Flevans - Ten Feet Tall (feat. Laura Vane) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Flevans, along with Laura Vane, delivers the Funk on ‘Ten Feet Tall.” This single comes with an energy you can’t escape from ... not that you will want to, because this one is simply infectious.

Get up and move, or get down and groove, this is a song you can do either to. This is Funk the way it should be!”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Smokey Brights - I Love You But Damn [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Sometimes lyrics hit you with such honesty and earnest emotion that you are hooked immediately. Such was the case with “I Love You But Damn.’

Reminding me a bit of Springsteen and Americana band, American Aquarium, this tranquil songwriter’s track spoke to me every step of the way.

The road to a lasting relationship is tough for everyone, and when you add distance and messing that person to the mix the pitfalls are all the more harrowing. Smokey Brights delivers the feels on this track and I can’t wait to hear more.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

DAGNY - Somebody [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Nothing is quite as magical as falling in love, and while there are countless songs chronicling that very emotion, few have captured the spirit as well as DAGNY does with ‘Somebody.’

Fun and lively, this Electro Pop track drips with that carefree proclamation of happiness, and in that spirit the song comes alive. The vocal talent makes all of this possible and the production keeps pace with its own engaging sound.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)