Sarina - Bite Back [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track unfolds like a sexy serpent slinking in and seductively winding itself around you. Sarina’s sultry vocals pairs nicely with the attitude fueling the lyrics, proving she is more than ready to ‘Bite Back.’

There is a bit of bounce to the flow at times, and more of an R&B groove in other places. The track creates some stirring visuals thanks to the strong writing and emotive delivery. There is also an exotic flair to the overall arrangement that makes it hit a little different than most popular music.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ella Isaacson x Gallant - Expectations [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This smoothly delivered track is a winner for a pair of talented emotive vocal flows, and a strongly written set of lyrics that sweeps the listener along.

The idea of ‘Expectations’ can be a double edged sword and this track brings out that two sides very well. Ella Isaacson’s tender vulnerability ushers the track in, before Gallant comes in with his own stirring performance that adds a dynamic that takes the track to the next level.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cate Tomlinson - Let You In [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“This is a softly delivered track with a commercial vibe in the sound, and a singer/songwriter sensibilities behind the writing.

The well-written lyrics bring out the emotion of discovering that one person who has captivated you feels the same way. It is about a burgeoning relationship, and the vocal tone expresses that hope and guarded excitement.

The production and musical side is low-key here which allows the emotion to take center stage. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rivet City - Spare Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rivet City brings a raspy Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe on this track. ‘Spare Me’ is the kind of single that you can simply fell the groove and medley and enjoy, or you can truly dive in and become immersed within the lyrics.

With a good energy and funky rhythm, the track has a lot of life even before you dig deep into the rich lyrical content. The band’s sound is both unique in tone and familiar in style making them truly stand out from the fray. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Don Blanquito - Fast Lane [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Don Blanquito drops a smooth Lo-fi groove that will speak to anyone who has ever cruised along the highways and byways of Southern California. Actually the track is a perfect car play no matter where your wheels happen to be rolling.

An easy smooth groove that just captures the mood and spirit of being behind the wheel when you are feeling carefree and ready to go somewhere of your own choosing. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Super Sthlm Bros. - CHEF [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Some songs are impossible not to move to. ‘CHEF’ from Super Sthlm Bros. is one of those songs. The energy is instant, and the vocals come in with that swagger and verve to finish the job of hooking you.

This all immersive groove is funky for damn sure, and if you can listen to this one without moving some part of your body then I gotta wonder, what happened to your soul?”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Moby Rich - friends* [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Alt-pop duo Moby Rich joined forces with the multi-platinumed talent, Bishop Briggs for a new single. In the case of ‘Friends*’ the asterisk is important, because sometimes those friends mean more to us than we are willing to let on. The longer you have been designated as friends, the harder it is to take the risk and let it be known you wish to be more.

I don’t think there is a person of dating age alive that has not found themselves in this scenario so the song hits home for us all. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Good.To.Go x FunkyCold - Ice [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track delivers a stream-of-conscious, old school vibe with a modern spin lyrically. The easy flow on this track definitely has a summer time ease about it that feels like a stroll down a busy sidewalk with the warm sun keeping you company. An easy track to settle in on with some fresh but poignantly true lines that stick with you. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Rad Trads - 99 in October [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Bringing a humorous take on a serious problem, The Rad Trads ask the tongue-in-cheek question ... What happens to that summer fling when global warming extends summer into perpetuity?

The track delivers a solid summer vibe and a wealth of sounds to the mix giving it a fun energy. And lyrically the single is sharp, but the heart of the premise is indeed a serious matter. The fact the band was able to toe the line and give us both is a testament to their talent and skill, both while performing, and creating. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

12AM - Lost [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The raw, stripped bare vocal performance is palpable on this track. ‘Lost’ lays open the wound and emotion of missing the one that you love. Played over a piano melody, with vulnerable honest emotion, the track does not rely on embellishments or glossy production, but is simply the work of a talented songwriter openly pouring his heart out.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Mustafa - Stay Alive [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“If Jack Johnson had grown up in an inner city, this is the track he would have written. Instead this tender , emotional track comes from Mustafa, a 23 year old songwriting poet who hails from Toronto’s Regent Park, an area that has seen its share of gun violence.

Mustafa was first moved to make music after losing several close friends to gun violence. He sings to the departed and to his hood. Even with his serene demeanor, the effect is riveting. Every part of the song is understated, from the single guitar to the subtle keys and the mere suggestion of percussion. The finger-picked acoustic notes wander along the scales without hurry, matching Mustafa’s breathy, soulful vocals perfectly as he goes from nostalgic, to hopeful, to profoundly sad.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dan DeCristofaro - Give Me Your Love [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A love song about finding the courage to take that risk and jump from a long time friendship, to something more. Dan DeCristofaro and Bianca Sings deliver ‘Give Me Your Love’ with Soul and passion and the track comes alive with an undeniable energy.

Love is tricky, and sometimes it is a slow burn that blooms from the fruits of friendship, but as we all know it is never easy to escape the friend zone. Sometimes, that leap is exactly what you need. This is the love song for that course of action! ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Stilljune - Care For Me [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The cold hard fact is not enough people in this world care about others. We all get a bit jaded by this fact, and when that person that doesn’t show the love or care for you is someone you love or care about, the pain is all the more acute.

Stilljune has tapped into the emotions of these facts with ‘Care For Me,’ a track that brings a steady vocal flow and beat that hits home for most of us.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Yify Zhang - Good Enough [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is a cinematic ode to self love. Yify Zhang is wickedly talented and that shines through in every element of this soft uplifting track.

The lyric video makes it easy to follow along as you let the reassuring words settle in and over you. The musical arrangement soars along to provide an added layer of engagement and is nicely matched to the emotion and message of the track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Trinity Rose - Morning Text [Lyric Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Trinity Rose’s voice is the musical equivalent of that pretty girl next door. Sweet an innocent, but fully capable of breaking your heart if you are’t paying proper attention to her. And Rose’s latest single, ‘Morning Text’ feels exactly like that.

On the surface, that tantalizing R&B groove is smooth and mellow, but lyrically the track is a dagger to the heart of her enthralled morning messenger. The beauty of this track is in its simple complexity, and no, that is not an oxymoron.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jasmine Thompson - Love For The Lonely [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jasmine Thompson secured a record deal with Atlantic records at only 13 off the strength of her YouTube performances. Now 19, Thompson has only refined her talents that much more.

”Love For The Lonely’ is a powerful ballad about finding and maintaining love even when it is less scary to walk away or destroy the burgeoning relationship. The video adds to the emotion and isolated mindset giving the project a cohesive intimate vibe to go along with the powerful performance.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gavin James - Boxes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“An energetic uplifting track for everyone that has ever been told ... they shouldn’t, they can’t, they won’t.

Gavin James has heard the dream killers talking to him since his childhood in Dublin, but the singer/songwriter did not listen to any of them for long. Preferring to ignore the naysayers and the challenges, he chased his musical dreams despite the odds. This track is testament to both his talent and perseverance.

The animated video is fun and as energetic and engaging as the music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ramond x Champ x Sydnie Battie - Bright Side [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As part of a recent virtual graduation, Ramond performed ‘Bright Side’ for the Colorado State University graduating class of 2020. And the track delivers the perfect vibe of hope and determination and optimism in the face of challenges. The chill vibe is tranquil, yet brings an undeniable energy that pulls you along.

Ramond was hand-selected to Executive Produce a soundtrack based on the popular Black Sands comic book series. The 13-track soundtrack accompanies the animated DVD.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

floeticVandros - Feel Me (feat. Rowlan & DJ Pain 1) [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The track opens with a nice groove hovering between R&B and Pop, before delving into an engaging Hip-Hop flow. Both sets of vocal are intriguing in their own right, and they mesh very well to elevate the track into something truly special. The production of the track adds to the emotion with a smooth steady groove that is easy to ride with. ‘Feel Me’ is one you that you truly can feel all the way through.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elina - Blue [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Swedish Singer/songwriter, Elina offers us a tender ballad that comes in with a soft guitar melody before her touching vocal take over as the primary the focus. There is a Joni Mitchell comparison that is easy to make though Elina certainly brings her own contemporary vibe to the sound. ‘Blue’ is a tranquil slowly unfolding track that was over far too son for me.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)