mae krell - are you sure? [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“We all love to discover those powerful new voices and then share them with our friends. Here is your chance to be the musical explorer in your core group and share an important new voice. mae krell delivers talent and vulnerability that rises above what most artists are capable of.

Written on the two year anniversary of their sobriety, “are you sure?” explores the low points that make you forget the progress you’ve already made. The emotion is temporary, but it’s painful to overcome. Sung with the tremor of someone on the verge of tears, the single is raw in the most intimate way, with Mae’s distinctive voice wavering over textured guitar and charango and piano accents. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Blvff x nikmoody - TRACK 2 [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Every artist has to hustle to carve out their place, and there are a ton of tracks highlighting that struggle, so it is a tough theme to hit and stand out. Blvff and nikmoody were able to do that here with a dark and gritty flow that feels honest and true without trying too hard. The strength is in the delivery, and the writing, and the lines land with precision allowing the listener to feel the tired determination.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Charmaine - WOO! [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Once again, Charmaine’s ain’t messing around. ‘WOO!’ follows Charmaine’s debut single ‘BOLD’ that established the Zimbabwe born artist as one of the top female rappers coming out of Toronto. The single has accumulated over 2 million streams on all platforms and ‘Woo!’ once again captures that confident spirit with an energetic bravado that hooks the listener early on.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Casey Baer - Hollywood Hills [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Casey Baer brings vocal power to this track about the pursuit of the dream. California and the ‘Hollywood Hills’ have long called dreamers of all types, but the struggle to stand out and achieve those goals is fraught with pitfalls and dangers and it gets damn tough to make it unscathed. This ballad details that struggle quite well, and you can feel the hope and anguish within the words.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Caleborate - Contact (ft. Kota the Friend) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The writing and lyrical progression of this track hooked me in and held me for the duration of this smooth groove. Caleborate, along with Kota the Friend, did not add any unnecessary embellishments to this track relying on the truth and strong emotion to bring the words alive. The lyric video allows you to decipher the lyrics in a next level kind of way and this is simply good songwriting delivered in an unassuming manner.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Running Lights - Not the One [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Delivering a classic sound with enough modern flair to keep from feeling too retro, the latest single from Running Lights, ‘Not The One’ is an anthem to past loves and the realization some relationships are never meant to last. The overall vibe is positive even as the lyrics reflect on a broken past.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lauren Spring - I Remember You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lauren Spring has a timeless voice that carries hints of Ronstadt, Emmylou, and the entire Wet Coast Folk/Country sound of the 60s and 70s. That is not to say this track has a retro vibe, because Spring infuses plenty of modern touches to make “I Remember You’ stand out and above so many artists trying to put modern spins on classic sounds from that era. The smooth steady progression and lyrical flow feels like a warm hug from a friend on this track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jon Hope "Where We Come From (feat. Jim Jones)" / "THS (feat. Israel Wusu)” [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Principles..Hopes..Diligence.

Jon Hope is back with friends. He delivers ‘Where we Come From with Jim Jones and THS with Israel Wusu’. The poetic split is an introduction to survival with reflection on that Hope Shxt. People must understand that no matter how hard your life is or how deep of the hustle you are in there is still hope.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

ETHOS XCIX- Leave Me [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“You ever wanted to talk but felt like it was pointless? ETHOS XCIX new single ‘Leave Me’ is a direct intro to a pointless feeling. The song starts with realizing you are fxcked up and can’t be saved. He recaps on things he has heard before but at the end of it all he is twisted. I also like the solo EDM instrumentals throughout the song. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Melody Federer - I Hate Love [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Melody Federer drops this Anti-Love song which delivers an eerie vibe — as if the track were created for a Valentine’s Day version of NIghtmare Before Christmas.

There are clear Pop Elements, but ‘I Hate Love’ offers its own brand of angst-filled rebellion that wraps around your cold heart like a sinister snake looking for warmth. Dark and winding, the arrangement captivates and intrigues even as you fear the bite of those jaded thoughts.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Arlo Maverick - Hashtag (feat. Riwo) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Stark simple truth — that hits hard!

Arlo Maverick delivers lines and truths that are unfortunately far too true. The imagery of the video is powerful and the gospel like delivery of the chorus adds an emotional depth that really hits home. Strong track and video and the power of the hook hits hard.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Further The Lion - It’s So Good [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This could be the perfect song dropping at the perfect time! It feels like we are emerging from some type of dark tunnel and Further The Lion has created an energetic anthem that hits perfect for the time. So shake the dust off all the residue of this past twelve months or so, and revel in the Pop Punk track, ‘It’s So Good.’”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Anja Kotar - Alone Together [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We have spent a lot of time in isolation this past year and the emotional toll is undeniable. Anja Kotar has distilled much of those feelings into a beautiful Pop song. ‘Alone Together’ captures the rise and fall of emotions and the sort of sweeping uncertainty that has been covering us all. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

End of Code - The Fall - Edit [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If Tom Waits were to drop a Deep House track, it would sound a whole lot like this.

End of Code delivers a brooding track that offers enough heartbeat and emotion to keep you leaning in. ‘The Fall’ is a nicely balanced track allowing the build and progression to do as much work as the lyrics and vocal performance.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

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...

The Shadowboxers -Forever [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“It’s the vocals for me. The Shadowboxers allows us to not only listen to them but levitate and feel the song. ‘Forever’ is delivered at a smooth tempo that speaks on love and mental connection.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Dayway x Mike Jay Take Yo Gang - [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Give a song a hard beat and you can’t help but to like it. Dayway and Mike Jay deliver a song that is full of energy but serious AF. Their latest single ‘Take Yo Gang’ is reassurance of what happens when someone crosses you.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Follow Dayway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daywayofficialTwitter: https://twitter.com/daywayofficialBooking email: biz4dayway@gmail.com

Fallen x Jasen Lawless - Last Stand [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“If you ever needed to feel empowered when all hope is gone ‘Last Stand’ is the song for you. Our ancestors are always with us and have made a-lot of sacrifices for us. This song is poetic revolution of what a-lot of people believe in. The ballad allows you to imagine yourself walking but realizing you are not online in this battle.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

A collaboration like no other, ‘Last Stand’ pulls through an emotional and breathtaking sound that is sure to tug at the emotions. Equipped with an outstanding acoustic guitar track and hard-hitting drums, this slow burn promises a rollercoaster ride of bliss. With smooth yet bouncy bass lines, the two talented hip-hop artists deliver thought provoking bars of lyricism as they channel the strength of their ancestors to push them through the dark times ahead.

AJ Smith - Roommate [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track has a fun light air about it but still brings an honest and earnest vulnerability. AJ Smith is having fun here with a track written to ask his girlfriend to move in with him. the ukulele driven track tips its hat to classic doo wop, as well as other influences, and ends up just be an entertaining delight.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

mehro - chance with you [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a soft, Bedroom Pop style of songwriting, mehro gives is a track about regret. ‘Chance With You’ is a reflective song about wanting to turn back the clock and take that shot you were too afraid of at the time. The vocals are full of yearning angst and you can feel the regret in every line. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)