Matt McKnzi - Dying Breed [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some artists are able to distill events from their life into a track that spans but a handful of minutes and yet encapsulates something much bigger. This is what Matt McKnzi does on ‘Dying Breed,’ and here, the artist explains the intent behind the song far better than I could in a brief review.

So says McKnzi ... Before I got sober I was self-destructive. I hated me- whole-heartedly believing I didn’t deserve love. I carried a TON of shame. Dying Breed is centered around that shame, and around our inability to let people in. At its core, the track is about owning your truth—no matter what that looks like, no matter what the consequences are.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jon McCollin - Scenarios [Review]

“We often play different scenarios in our head just to escape reality. Jon McCollin “Scenarios” allows us to musically see how life can be. The vocal tone relaxes your mind to visually create every
lyric and relate it to your own scenario. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

The River -Hours [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Somewhere in the lyrics there is peace and truth. The River’s latest single “Hours” facing the reality of love, respect, and emotions. Over and acoustic melody the rain pours over the lyrical expressions of facing your feelings.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Bianca Jade - Everything I've Got [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bianca Jade delivers her vocals in silky smooth confidence and while not many people ever get everything they want, Jade’s talent and delivery makes it easy to believe she will indeed get there because she truly is giving it “Everything I Got.’

The groove and build here are as mesmerizing as her vocal talent and this track is one that will make you feel empowered as well. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Khamari - Doctor, My Eyes [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A soft acoustical track of heartfelt vulnerability, ‘Doctor, My Eyes’ is not the track you might expect, but it is the track you need.

Khamari showcases his artistic talents in both the delivery and the writing of this emotionally laden single. This is a song you feel as much as hear, and it definitely conveys a mood of melancholy and hopeful observance than we have all felt from time to time.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

KB Mike - L.O.V.E. [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“I was hooked the first sec. Aside from the vocals the song has a meaning. What is L.O.V.E?

KB Mike explains how love conquers all. Some people hold on to hurt and can not fully understand love. He breaks down its the small yet big things that proves someone loves you. You can not feel your best but real love shows up and shows out. Is L.O.V.E real? Is L.O.V.E complicate? What is L.O.V.E? ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Merlaku Ra - Heaven [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Merlaku Ra is a multi-talented artist, producer, songwriter, and rapper. Born in Atlanta, raised predominantly in South Carolina, now in Los Angeles. He has been singing his whole life as he was raised apart of a church choir. He wrote his first song at 13 years old. He has always explored his love for Hip-hop , Blues, Gospel & Trap given his deep southern roots.

“Do you believe in heaven? Delivered in a deep undertone Merlaku reveals to us the dynamics of his vocals in this poetic yet emotional track. “Heaven” is about going beyond the clouds and spiritual energy. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [ LA On Lock Blogger]

April Jai - Chose To Stay [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“April Jai has created a track that is the perfect response to that ex who comes sniffing around trying to hook back up. A smooth easy groove with one foot in in a Retro R&B groove and the other in contemporary Pop. The result is an Adult Contemporary singer/songwriter type of track with emotional depth and meaning for everyone that has had to navigate the past and present at the same time.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Hauskey - One Minute (feat. Hope Tala) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is short, though it is longer than the ‘One Minute’ of its title. Hauskey utilizes a catchy hook and a nice groove to quickly make his statement about the fakeness of many people upon first meeting them.

These so-called ‘new friends’ are quick to make promises they will never deliver upon, and this energetic ode calls bullshit in a most delightful way. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Tyra Jutai - Frida [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Tyra Jutai knows how to tell a story, and tell it well. Here that story comes in the form of an Electro Pop Murder Ballad and beyond the strong storytelling and sultry emotive delivery is an eerie delivery that conjured strong thoughts of Amy Winehouse for me.

The track is bold and in your face both musically and visually with the delightfully sinister imagery of the video.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock blogger

David Davis - Better With You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

Life can be full of ups and downs. No matter the downs if you have that special someone it gets better and better. David Davis’s new single 'Better With You' is an energetic track that leaves you optimistic of what is to come. The chorus background electrifies the song and his energetic tone.

Chris Murphy - Mr. Mister [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“From the very first word, Chris Murphy demands you listen to what he has to say on ‘Mr. Mister.’

Bluesy and direct, the vibe here is haunting and dark and oh-so-honest. Self-doubt can be a killer, but we all take those deep dives in sometimes. A track like this can make it easier by allowing us to see into the mind of another and realize we are all traveling the same rocky roads.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

912KEEM -LONG LIVE ABE [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A year has past but the hurt, trauma, healing and fight still exists. 912Keem releases their new song Long Live Abe. What started out as was walk/run through the city lead to a violent ending. 912Keem not only walks us through their view but they musically connect us to their emotional feelings. A lot of weight is carried but no one ever sees the scars. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Follow 912 KEEMInstagram: 912keemTwitter: 912keemLong Live Ahmaud Arbery

JUSTY - Rinse, Repeat, Regress [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Sometimes you have to allow yourself to relax and feel the melody. Rinse,Repeat, Regress is self care delivered in a song. It speaks on opening yourself to others once you learn to love yourself first. Justy is a poetic artist with a poignant piece of advice “When I love myself again, I could love again.””

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Rinse, Repeat, Regress touches on falling in love with one's self and the routine of practicing self love while accepting loss. Engineered by: Ryan Pearson Written by: Shantel Justina Rowe Produced by: Pieper Beats

Ashleigh Bankx -Angel [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“It’s Black History Month and Ashleigh Bankx highlights black love. Ashleigh Bankx delivers artistry in a poetic visual for her new single ‘Angel’. She highlights black love and the essence of being there for someone.

Ashleigh says: “‘Angel’ is about self-liberation, understanding and valuing yourself through past experiences with relationships and society. The song is about black love and centers around the concept of self-love, self-confidence, self-pride and the unity of and journey between two lovers.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

"Angel" is a sultry, impassioned Black love song that arrives with accompanying visuals to set the tone for Valentine's Day and anyone that's experienced the...

Dominique Fils-Aimé - Mind Made Up [Review}

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With a hint of Blues and a whole lot of soul, Dominique Fils-Aimé definitely has her ‘Mind Made Up,’ and after you listen to this talented vocalists your mind will be made up as well.

This affirmative build and progression simply sweeps up the musical soul and carries it forward along with the track making it impossible not to close your eyes and lose yourself in the music for a few minutes.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Josh Fudge - Hit My Line [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A soulful groove that takes you on the same emotional ride the mind goes on when waiting for and hoping for that nevermind call of forgiveness after things go south with someone. The tempo and progression sort of swim along in a sea of murky water, just as out brains do in such a situation giving it the perfect vibe and feel for such a track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Osé -Do No More [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Osé’s new single ‘Do No More’ is about being in love but running to the end of the emotional tunnel. As the instruments are played in the background she takes her time to deliver an emotional yet contemporary R&B song. This song is about trust, lies, and feelings.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

D'rock - Don't Wanna Talk -[Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“D’Rock delivers his new intensifying single “Don’t Wanna Talk”. The visual for this hot Spanglish R&B song focuses on a man who comes home just to find his girl cheating with another girl. In the midst of the hurt he sits and reflects because there isn’t no going back from the image of her and her. His interchangeable vocals from English to Spanish makes this song sexy despite the disloyalty. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Khamari - Demons (Eldorado) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The art of building an arc with song placement and progression over an entire album or EP is almost a lost art in today’s world of streaming singles, but Khamari has put together a true vibe with the way his EP was built.

’Demons’ is a great track all on its own, so you can listen and appreciate the single’s merits, but for the full effect, take a dive into the entire project.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)