Donovan Woods - Clean Slate [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Like any kind of high we find in this world, be they artificial, chemical, or purely natural ... like falling in love, what goes up must eventually come down.

’Clean Slate’ explores the emotions of that arc. The euphoria of getting swept up and feeling like the world is sunshine and rainbows and the realization that once that bliss wears off a bit you are still much the same, but that is not to say you can’t acknowledge and do your best to erase the things you want to let go of in order to embrace the possibilities ahead.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

SM Familia x Ranking Joe - Nada Te Falta [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“How about a little Latin infused Reggae to get you up and moving?

SM Familia offers this multilingual track that also feature Reggae icon Ranking Joe. The beat and groove are infectious enough that if like me, you do not speak Spanish, you can still feel the passion and energy within the beat and performance.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Silk Tonic - Summer Time [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Silk Tonic delivers this emotive ode to the stunning power of love. The vibe is one of nostalgia, sunshine, and acute emotions that strike without warning. ‘Summertime’ takes you for that ride though the track feels entirely contemporary and in that combination comes a timeless sound that is gripping and easy to lose yourself into.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Emma Oliver x loyalties - Sad Sometimes [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The pendulum of awareness and compassion does seem to be swinging the right direction overall, but with it comes the desire of both well-meaning and misguided hearts who don’t know how to handle sadness when they see it. This track is about needing to sit and process sadness without the pressure to put on a happy front for the world around us. The vocals deliver solid believable emotions and the production brings this out as well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Color Fields - Animal [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The imagery of the video tells a more direct story than perhaps the lyrics would by themselves, but this track has the musical chops to stand on its own as well. With a darkly alluring vibe and silky, yet sinister, vocal groove, ‘Animal’ takes us beyond the facade we often put up to what lurks deep inside. Of course sometimes the elements of ourselves we bury are the truest and best parts of ourselves. And the very parts others are desperately hoping to discover ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Estella Dawn - Spooky [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The track comes in with a funky little organ keyboard vibe that preludes Estella Dawn’s vocals. The performance feels heartfelt, and in it you can feel the haunting effects of her nightmares which revisit a toxic relationship and her part in that past. The arrangement and mix helps bring out the sentiments of the lyrics. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Waynewood - Body Bags [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A dark brooding flow that mirrors the twisted mental journeys our minds can take us on at times. This track is a mood — a dark mood, that no doubt will not be for everyone, but the emotion feels true and genuine and the progression mesmerized me into taking this morose trip right along with Waynewood.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dallas Thornton - Dance Till We Die [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Dallas Thornton is an entertainer in every possible way and that is evident in the rocking sweeping performance of his vocals, as well as his theatrics in the video that comes with this track. I mean this in the best possible way, but if Pauly Shore had a baby with Lady Gaga, I imagine the result would grow up to look a lot like this video.

This is anthem, a Rock celebration, an energetic stomp across the musical stage. So have fun, break out the air guitar, and the imaginary microphone and let yourself join in as we ‘Dance Till We Die.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

C. Henry - Motivation [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“If you are looking for a hard hitting bit of ‘Motivation’ to add to your workout playlist ... look no more. Here it is.

C. Henry comes with a steady flow that build and carries you along while prodding and pushing. That piano lead in of the chorus will ramp you up and get you to keep moving forward.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lights & Bridges - Lemonade [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The soft earnest emotion of this track kept me tethered in. The song writing is intelligent and emotional and while the ‘Lemonade’ metaphor is one used quite often, it works here because of its simplicity in that it comes with a universal understanding that needs no explanation. The lyrics bring in other elements of the struggle that is life, and that, combined with an emotive performance, is where this track stands out.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

DivineDonJulio - The Book of Life [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This project is far more than a song or even a short film, though it is certainly both of those things. The vocal flow is earnest and emotional and the video well done, but is is the honest truth of the complete storytelling that truly makes this project engaging and immersive.

Take the nearly 9 minutes it takes to watch and listen, and let the impact of the emotions hit you between the eyes. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Todays Youth - Feel It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is an uplifting genre bender that hints at Reggae, Pop, and a vintage Rock sound without ever fully committing to any well-defined genre. The single brigns a big sweeping vibe that almost reminded me of ‘We Are The World’ in its message and spirit.

The vintage message at the end of the video is a nice touch that brings the lyrics home quite well.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Flow'etic - Magic Hour ft. Bernz [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“That melody comes at you soft and golden, just like the ‘Magic Hour’ of light around dusk, when you feel like everything is perfect and the coming night is going to be legit.

Flow’etic captures that times with a solid groove and vocal flow that matches that time of the day to perfection. This track is a mood, a ride, a groove that you need to take. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dai Burger - Naomi Walk [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Have you seen the new Naomi photo spread? If not, I am sure this was being played during the photo-shoot.

Call me crazy if you want but Dai Burger has delivered the 2020 catwalk anthem. Whether a virtual fashion show, sitting at home watching a Pose episode... it is time to walk on them hxes. ‘Naomi Walk’ has a dope beat assisted by the snaps of a camera. When you press play it makes you want to flip your hair, strike a pose and walk like Naomi.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

New track "Naomi Walk" by Dai Burger ft. Kidd Kenn off her upcoming EP Dessert! Out on First One Up.

Joel Blackmon - Morning [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sometimes the greatest moments don’t last forever. Joel Blackmon is a talented singer songwriter who wants to wake up in the morning next to that special person. His new single is a summer love vibe of rolling over looking into the face of someone amazing. He longs for her to stay around even if its just until the morning.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

FORT - We’ll Burn That Bridge When We Get To It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The duration of this song was by far the best 8 mins to my ears.Known as a cinematic rock band Fort introduces the newest single in a very live atmosphere. The intro is delicate and builds up over time to a more influenced vibe.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

GARZI x Travis Barker - Sick of Me [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“1.. 2... 3...’I’m so ‘Sick Of Me’ is an alternative single by Garzi featuring Travis Barker. The visual starts out with a road trip with a bit of car trouble episode that turns into a moment of destruction in the woods. The drums provide a fed up yet lit cadence as Garzi releases his tension vocally. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Joel James Live - Movie Kind of Timing [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“ I was told that James is a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter, cover artist, and producer and it shows in the good musical quality that he puts out. His new single ‘Movie Kind of Timing’ tells a story that is a bit emotional but he puts it all in the visual and the instruments he plays. He is a one man band that understands the heart is always attached to time. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Ollie Wade -Hero [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Even though Father’s Day has passed, it is a day we are reminded of the strength and power a man has. He is a ‘Hero’ to his kids. Artist Ollie Wade expresses that in his new single ‘Hero’. His father started suffering from anxiety but didn’t want his son to see him as weak so he hid it. Ollie Wade is reaching out to his father in this new single to tell him that regardless of what he suffers from he is still strong and that his son will always be there.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

It's only natural that we rely on our parents being there for us, fixing our problems, easing our anxieties, picking us up when we fall or break down… it's easy to forget that they too endure the same issues, unaided.  
 So it came as a shock to me when I began to see the "cracks" starting to show in the strongest man I know - my own Father. 
 Anxiety can affect anyone, at any age - and it needn't be a significant event that kicks it off. It's often a gradual build up over time, hidden away until it eventually reaches the surface. It was tough seeing my Father trying to hide it from me. He didn't want to "worry" me. He didn't want to "add to my problems." He kept it to himself and internalised it, wouldn't discuss it, when all I wanted was to comfort him and repay the 20+ years of support, guidance and love he has given me. 
 So, I wrote 'Hero' as a plea to my Dad - to let me in, to know it's OK not to be OK. The last line of the chorus says it all: "You're only human; we're just the same."   
 My Father first heard 'Hero' at a live gig that I played, and I know its message hit home and opened his eyes. Up until then, he didn't think I knew, didn't realise my concern and my frustration from being blocked out. 'Hero' has opened the door. The conversation in the song has led us to be honest with each other, it's brought us closer and made us stronger. 
 I am releasing, 'Hero' on June 22nd, in collaboration with 'International Father's Mental Health Day'. In England, 1 in 8 men have a common mental health problem. The pressure to maintain the traditional masculine demands of control, strength and stoicism is all too prevalent – and results in men being unable to share their problems. They bottle them up, and over time, they fester and grow. 
 I want 'Hero' to encourage us all to reach out to our Fathers and offer them support and a shoulder – should they need it. Remember, mental health issues are not a weakness, but an illness that can be managed - at whatever age.

Joe P. the MC -PayPal [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“In world where Tik-Tok is on the rise and everyone is getting their own money Joe P, The MC new single ‘PayPal’ is a perfect song to play. When someone wants your service they need to hit your ‘Paypal’. Nothing in life is free and paypal has been proven to be better for handling business than other service. The beat is illmatic and the song is a vibe.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)