Handbook - Tie My Hands [Review] August 13, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 Poetic and poignant, ‘Tie My Hands,’ rides a steady beat and direct vocals to a message that hits home. This is the kind of track you need to sit quietly and digest, but it is the kind of song that is well worth the time and effort to do so. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Denis First, Reznikov - Taking Off [Review] August 13, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, EDM Rating: 4 out of 5 The electric violin adds a haunting quality to searing vocals that bring energy and an underlying sadness in the verses before the explosion of the chorus brings it home. A nuanced single that bears giving it multiple listens. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kosha Dillz - 15 years later (prod. by Djay Cas) [Review] August 12, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 Tracks like this are important, because they highlight that you can come through whatever it is your dealing with. ‘15 Years alter’ brings a direct flow, delivered with truth and raw emotion. All without being filtered through necessary smoke and mirrors. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
De Row - Music Man [Review] August 12, 2019 by Travis Erwin in music, Neo-Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 This single is one of simple elegance. A quiet melody and beat add the the emotion of a straightforward delivery, that feels heartfelt and genuine. ’Music Man’ is the kind of song you feel more than you hear. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
edbl - Table for Two [Review] August 12, 2019 by Travis Erwin in music, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 This is a fun, jazzy track with a beat that thumbs like your heartbeat giving it a natural, hip-hop groove that is hard not to move in rhythm with.The vocal flow is both sweet and sexy at the same time, and lyrically it puts a new spin on being happy in love. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Carlos Bryant - Friends (feat. Don Quez) [Review] August 12, 2019 by Travis Erwin in music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4 out of 5 A dark, almost ethereal, melody and beat set the tone for a set of lyrics that come at you with a steady and emotional flow. The track unfolds like inner dialogue for the first three minutes before morphing into a statement on coping with the world. Almost feels like two songs, but poignant all the way through. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Cyrillic - Break My Heart [Review] August 12, 2019 by Travis Erwin in music, EDM Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Dance with reckless abandon to this track about ... reckless abandon. ’Break My Heart’ is a single explaining why we sometimes rush in headfirst to a situation we know will not end well. Why? Because sometimes you just have to. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
PaPa Shiraz & Bella Calypso - Summer Doesn't Have to End [Review] August 11, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Autotune Rating: 4 out of 5 The last of the carefree days under the sun are always a bit sad. ‘Summer Doesn’t Have to End’ takes that emotion and infuses it into a dark, melancholy melody that blends perfectly with two sets of vocals. The result is an expression of hope that a summer fling can carry on into the fall, though in the end that simply feels like something we tell ourselves to make saying goodbye easier to take. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
KDL feat. Ferras - 777 [Review] August 11, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Not all relationships are equal, and with a sound that tips a hat back to Michael Jackson at times, ‘777’ also infuses a modern spin to loving someone far more than they are likely to ever love you. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Raymond Revel - Answers [Review] August 10, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 3.5 out of 5 A nice beat and melody accompany this song that feels likes the self-affirmation that we all need to hear and remind ourselves of from time to time. None of us have all the ‘Answers,’ but a single like this lets us know that’s okay, because there is time to figure it out. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Soleima - Cheers for the Tears [Review] August 10, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, Commercial, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 The unique vocal tone caught my ear straight away and led me listen closer to the melody which dips into a reggae vibe to bring a nice a groove. The lyrics empower everybody emerging on the other side of a necessary breakup. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Austin Strange - Something I Said [Review] August 09, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop Rating: 3.5 out of 5 A tender and emotional goodbye, this pop ballad is heartbreak personified. The vocals convey every facet of the hurt and the lyrics are written in the style of an actual plea from one reluctant to let go. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Roosle - Sundays in Orbit [Review] August 09, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Instrumentals, Jazz Rating: 4 out of 5 Forget Netflix — what you need is some Roosle and chill.’Sundays in Orbit’ is an instrumental that brings a kick-back-with-your-feet-up slow vibe, that says ... I got all that I need right this moment, and now I’m gonna sit back and enjoy it. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Nama Ray - Summer Breeze [Review] August 09, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Soul Rating: 4.5 out of 5 A beautiful voice over a haunting piano melody brings out lyrics that unfold like a letter from one lover to another. The rawness allows us, the listener, to feel every word. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Shemy - Fourth of July [Review] August 08, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 Hard hitting flow, and pointed lyrics that call out absolutely everyone. Shemy doesn’t pull any punches in this straight to your face single that explodes like the ‘Fourth of July.’ — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Bad Flamingo - Fire [Music Video Review] August 08, 2019 by Kreadiv Kesh in Indie Rock, Alternative, Music Videos Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Fire” lights a match with its catchy chorus and smooth guitar strings, I can see why it makes great show placement. — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Neon Dreams - if not now, when...? [Review] August 08, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Catchy and infectious, Neon Dreams holds your focus with a steady and welcoming cadence that delivers a set of captivating vocals. Lyrically, this is a call to action that we all need from time to time. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
THE JON JOHNS - EVERYBODY WANTS MY BABY [Review] August 07, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 The attitude slaps you immediately with the blues riffs up front and predominate. I imagine this is what a collaborative between the Beatles and ZZ Top would have sounded like. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
The Brookes - Spaceship Rodeo [Music Video Review] August 07, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Lyric Video, Music Videos, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 With a sound that hints of punk and 90s alternative, The Brookes launch their single ‘Spaceship Rodeo’ which is captivating at liftoff, even before you get into the smart, ethereal quality of the lyrics. This kind intelligent indie rock is a throwback in many ways as it captures the best sounds of yore, while still feeling fresh, smart, and cutting edge. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
R3HAB vs. Vini Vici ft. Pangea & Dego - Alive [Music Video Review] August 07, 2019 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, EDM Rating: 4 out of 5 The combination of two talents, in R3HAB and Vini Vici gives us the beat and melody to get up and get moving. Vocals from Pangea & Dego put words to the emotion and spirit of this track. Add in a mesmerizing video, and this is a true summer anthem that both uplifts and entertains. — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)