Maja Kristina - "The Idea Of Me" [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The complicated dance that is love comes with all manner of missteps before you find the right partner. Maja Kristina takes on the person that only thinks they want to dance with you. The sort that goes in with the minimal amount of emotions and engagement, without truly feeling being swept up and present in the endeavor.

The Electro Pop groove comes with engaging vocals and an uptempo beat that propels ‘The Idea Of Me’ forward to the end.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ivan Beecroft - The Candyman [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A dark and dangerous look at drug addiction, ‘The Candyman’ uses a 90’s era beat and sound to deliver a warning about your friendly neighbor hood drug dealer.

Rock vocals that feel sticky and gritty deliver the goods on this track which feels almost apocalyptic. The imagery of the video adds an entire layer to the vibe of this track. Together the package puts a tangible spin on an untouchable dilemma.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Dutchess - Haterz [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“All Hail ... The Dutchess!

Yeah, you’ve heard tracks calling out the haters before, but the letter Z ain’t the only thing different about The Dutchess’s take on ‘Haterz.’

Straight up flow coming with unflinching confidence delivered with a tone that lands square. The attitude and verve coming out of this Portland rapper are what make her stand out.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Raye Zaragoza - The It Girl [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The lyrics catch your attention right away. ‘The It Girl,’ is a track about the notion and idea of feminine perfection and how sadly the Western world has Barbie-ized the concept.

This track offers razor sharp lyrics, talented vocals, and a nice little funky groove to drive it all forward. Raye Zaragoaza comes at you with a confident attitude and a hint of defiance to prove she is indeed — an It Girl.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

http://www.rayezmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/Rayemusic/

https://twitter.com/rayezaragoza

https://www.instagram.com/rayezaragoza/

Julian Marley & Junior Reid - Mother Nature [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Stalwarts of Reggae, Julian Marley and Junior Reid team to deliver this soulful cry for ‘Mother Nature.’ You can feel the scars we’ve inflicted int he tone and emotion of the track which is about performance and the sound, more than it is about clever wordplay or intricate writing.

Close your eyes and let the spirit of the piece come to you. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Shiva - Views [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track just hits different. With a swagger and a bit of fold school vibe laid over the top of a subtle funk that pulls you along.

Much like every album Shiva has released, K.A.L.A. delivers a story. This particular song, ‘Views,’ is the beginning stages of the story where the main characters observes the lack of soul within the world around him. His veil is lifted and he can see people for who they are and he just goes with it. Coasting among the injustice as a part of his process.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sofi Bonde - Angels Above [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is retro rock tune with a bit of electronic flair and a just an ever so slight hint of hip-hop flow that combines to make this track feel contemporary and nostalgic at the sometime.

Like a pin up from the 50’s, Sofi Bonde’s vocal are sultry in a shy unassuming way, whereas lyrically, the track is surprisingly clairvoyant, giving the track another set of oddly joined, but cohesive qualities. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Becky Hill - Heaven On My Mind (with Sigala) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Becky Hill drops ‘Heaven On My Mind,’ a high-energy track with a heavy dance vibe and carefree spirit about it. The second single off of Hill’s upcoming debut album, the track reunites Hill with Sigala, who she collaborated with last year on top 10 hit, ‘Wish You Well.’

The talent is on vibrant display all the way through this single, and the production behind the vocals adds a bit of sparkle to the whole affair. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Rapta - Invitation [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The beat backing this track is deceptively funky and really drives this flow without overpowering it. Rapta also infuses a bit of funk into this flow in select spots which really drives that hook home and adds an energy that breathes life into the otherwise smooth steady delivery.

’Invitation’ is a single that builds and pulls at you until you have no choice to wrap it all the way around your body and move.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gorden - Bittersweet Kiss [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The melody captured my attention first ,and then the vocal tone came in with its strong emotive quality to further hook me. The lyrics are also poignant and honest and the elements are well-balanced and complimentary of each other giving this single a well rounded emotional appeal that fits the singer/songwriter genre quite well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Gina Naomi Baez - Blow the Roof [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Coming with a twisty, exotic snake charmer kind of vibe, ‘Blow The Roof’ is a Pop track with a soaring spirit behind it that just sort of pulls you along. There are hints of Gwen Stefani and a bit of Katie Perry there as well. The melody and arrangement could have used a touch more variation to the mix , but the talent here is such that I can’t wait to hear what Gina Naomi Baez comes with next.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Liz Longley - Finally High [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Liz Longley drops one of those highly personal tracks that feels like as much confession, or at least expression as it does entertainment. That is not to say the vocals and performance is any less entertaining because of that intimate nature. Longley raised more than $150,000 to buy the album back from her former label so it is a labor of love and passion from not only herself, but her fans and that spirit of determination shines through. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tessa Violet x MisterWives - Bored [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A fun ode to boredom which most have us have lived in recent months. This song does not overtly refer to the pandemic or being isolated and stuck from friends, but of course that is where the mind goes even without a direct reference. The arrangement here is fun and engaging while still managing to express the disenfranchised and untethered state we’ve all been in though these times. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Maple St. - Rockstar (Remix by CakeKnife) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I am not familiar with the original mix, though when I heard Cakeknife’s remix of Male St.’s ‘Rockstar,’ I was instantly captivated.

The energy and build of the track is perfectly matched to the emotional thread of the lyrics. The vocal performance also delivers an emotive gut punch that hits you hard and overwhelmingly. This is a good song brought further to life by an engaging production.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Sean Waters and the Sunrise Genius - Flexibility Blues [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Bending and contorting ourselves is something we all tend to do, but bend too damn far and you’ll lose who you are. This bluesy take on the traditional California Folk style is deceivingly well-crafted and insightful. There is a light airy tone to this scintillating track, though the punch of these lyrics hits hard if you let ‘em. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Hymner x Alessandra - Nobody's Fault [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sad pop connoisseurs, Hymner is back with ‘Nobody’s Fault,’ once again teaming up with Swedish songster Alessandra.

Loneliness is a powerful thing that might lead to questionable decisions. We’ve all been there, right? The unique vocal tone caught my attention, and the emotion of the performance kept me listening. The track has a good linear progression that carries your forward with it.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Alex Gibson - Dance With You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Alex Gibson gives us a soaring love song that elevates energetically as it progresses. Light and airy in a classic kind of way, ‘Dance With You’ delivers that John Mayer-esque vibe that sweeps you along with its upbeat emotion and outright honest fun.

Gibson is a rising talent from Australia, though his time in London has certainly influenced his sound as well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Big Dayve - Mary Poppins [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Right about now we need a good Club Banger that will get you moving and put a smile on your face. Big Dayve ain’t exactly taking us to new worlds, but his track ‘Mary Poppins’ is infectious and the beat production behind it is fire.

I could wax on poetically, but what’s the point when the intent of this song is simply to make you move to the groove, and smile while in denial.

So have some fun, and forget about the stress of the world for a couple minutes by giving this track a listen.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Armaan Malik- Next 2 Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“In a colorful cartoon visual Armaan Malik’s new single ‘Next 2 Me’ is pop to my ears. The singer songwriter tells a story of how he misses his love. He goes around in circles holding on to the memories by looking at photos and listening to her favorite songs. He hopes to bring her closer but just keep her next to him.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

David Lyn - Can't Breathe [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out 5

“We aren’t born to hate, but just like fashion history seems to repeat its self. Through all the training to protect, police brutality still exists. David Lyn’s new song ‘Cant’ Breathe’ is poetry in musical form. In a one shot visual he tells the story of America from his perspective and his take on the issues that exist.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)