Temptress -What Would You Do [Music Video Review] November 26, 2024 by Kreadiv Kesh in Contemporary R&B, Alternative, R&B Rating: 3 out of 5 “London artists have a distinct sound that I really like. This R&B duo’s video fuses an upbeat yet contemporary vibe, though they linger on the hook a bit too long. Still, it’s a cool retro visual paired with a good sound.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
McCabe - Killer Of Mine [Music Review] November 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B Rating: 3 out of 5 “I loved the emotion and writing of ‘Killer of Mine,’ as well as the old school piano and clap beat. That said, the edges could have been softened and rounded out to better allow the emotions to land. McCabe has clear and obvious talent and he emotes well, though for me the backing got in the way of me truly feeling the track in places. A softer mix would have lifted this one to greater heights for me but it is still a good, worthwhile track that lets the writing and emotions carry much of the workload.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
PEPTALK - Blind [Music Review] November 24, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B, Adult Contemporary Rating: 4 out of 5 “Love is a complicated animal, and since no on else is inside our hearts it is often hard to see why a person stays or even what they saw in them in the first place. ’Blind’ from PEPTALK is a smooth groove that attempts to unruly the confusion our brans must unravel before we make any decision to give up on a love and move on. The R&B groove comes with a Pop vibe making this one fit across a few genres.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Jon Vinyl - Feels Good [Music Review] November 19, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Hailing from Toronto, Jon Vinyl blends Pop and Cotemporary R&B vibes to create a soothing sound heavy on emotion and talent. ‘Feels Good’ hits like something Ed Sheeran might create after taking a trip to Motown. The song has a nice tranquility that feels like a warm embrace from a dear friend or cherished love one. My biggest critique is I wish it was longer and had at least one more verse.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Wisoff - Every 6 Years [Music Review] November 15, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Contemporary R&B Rating: 2 out of 5 “This is a matter of outhinking yourself as an artist. There are great moments to this performance and the premise was rock solid. The problems were all in the production dynamics and arrangement. Had Wiseoff simply unleashed this track with a steady flow and build I’d have been all in, but the embellishment and add-ons got in the way emotionally for me and left the overall track feeling disjointed and needlessly chaotic. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kailaya - To Be Loved By You [Music Review] November 15, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, R&B, Contemporary R&B, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Unfurling smooth R&B vocals with a hint of Pop sensibility, Kailaya invites the listener in to her intimate world. ‘To Be Loved By You,’ brings some old school sultriness to the contemporary world with a heartfelt build of emotion and vulnerability.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
deathbypeanuts x NanaBcool x Selassie x Dexter Francis Mason - Nightrider [Music Review] November 11, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Contemporary R&B Rating: 1.5 out of 5 “The groove is pleasing and I like that side of this track, but for me the vocals felt a bit melodramatic. Overall this song was a case of trying to do and be too much. The talent is there and could have shined, but for all the world this one felt like a group of talented people saying ... Hey let’s throw everything we got up against the wall and see what sticks. The end result felt like an unorganized mess lyrically, and the varying performance style felt at odds rather than complementary to each other.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ladi Seoul - Eyes on the Prize [Music Review] November 02, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “A smooth R&B groove might not be what you first think of when it come sto an inpirational and uplifting track but Ladi Seoul manages to create exactly that on this track. ‘Eyes On The Prize,’ is about maintaining your focus on the goals you are chasing even when the road gets tough. The vocals are smooth and genuine and come with a rich tone that soothes the soul.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
M'Lynn - Midnight Confessions [Music Review] October 30, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Neo-Soul, Music, Contemporary R&B Rating: 3 out of 5 “I really liked this one after that intro which for me felt out of place with the rest of the groove and smooth delivery. M’Lynn has a nice sultry vocal delivery that carried me along and I like the beat behind it for the most part though a few of the transitions felt a bit clunky by comparison to the rest of the groove.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kenny Sharp - Smooth [Music Review] October 14, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Funk, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “Kenny Sharp cuts us up with the gleaming blade that is ‘Smooth.’ This Retro Funk/ Soul number has a bit of Bruno, but also some Hip-Hop-esque verve that reminded me of Yung Grvy. This is a one of those tracks that lodges in your gut and reverborates out to your bones with the groove. I dare you to listen to this and not be persuaded to move to the Funk.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Julia Raye - Give You Up [Music Review] August 09, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B, Commercial, Dance, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Julia Raye does a good job of straddling he genre line with her latest release, ‘Give You Up.’ There is certainly a Contemporary R&B vibe though this track also has a more Commercial Dance Pop sound. The track is about nothing someone isn’t good for you but being unable to deny your feelings despite that fact. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
L'Marco - Jubilant People (feat. AshtnMrtn) [Music Review] August 04, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Reggae, Soul, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “L’MArco and AshtnMrtn team to give us ‘Jubilant People,’ a Reggae track that speaks to the times and the strong spirit of people who refuse to be controlled. Rhythmic and with a infectious beat this track is one that lingers in the mind long after that last note. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Isa Y - Lose [Music Review] August 03, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Neo-Soul, Music, Soul, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “A Jazz influenced Soul track, ‘Lose’ offers a chance to sit back and relax as you contemplate fate and the times in life when no matter what you do things just do not work out how you’d hoped. Isa Y clearly has an old soul and this track has a bit of that old school crooner to go along with the smooth musical groove. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Ice Meez - My Moment [Music Review] March 08, 2024 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Contemporary R&B, Hip-Hop, Conscious Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Ice Meez knows how to sell the emotion and feeling of his well-written lyrics and once again delivers an impactful song for our listening pleasure. ’My Moment’ is a track that delivers truth and hope, without ignoring the difficult realties of this world we all face. The song has grit and genuine emotion, and Meez’s flow is delivered with an emotive power. The chorus adds a smooth groove that breaks that up perfectly to give the track a nice balance.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Zachary Aldana - Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You) November 25, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Holiday, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “This Christmas track has a retro vibe arrangement wise, but is pure contemporary in the lyrical build. A fun, easy to sing along track with a do-wap type vibe. There is a hint of humor in Zachary Aldana’s delivery, as well as the lyrical vibe. ’Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You)’ is a holiday breakup song of not letting the past wear your down. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Alexion - 3AM In October [Music Review] October 16, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B Rating: 3 out of 5 “This track was an enigma for me. I loved the smooth groove and rhythm of the track, both musically and vocally, when it is going, but some of the breaks and pauses shook me. Lyrically, I was the same. There are great lines that forced me to lean all the way in, and then a few times the writing moved out from under me and left me confused. Then the trak abruptly ended.Overall, a solid track that kept me on my toes so to speak, though I would like to see more consistency and a tidier ending.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Alfie Sharp - All Or Nothing [Music Review] October 02, 2023 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B, Alternative, Pop, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “If Rock and Roll Gospel were a genre, this track just might be its benchmark song. Alfie Sharp delivers vocal talent and an undeniable energy to the performance, but the track also boast provocative lyrics that will both entertain and make you stop and think at the same time. If ‘All Or Nothing’ is the choice, this track certainly gives its all.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Amanda Holley- RIDE OR DIE (Shotgun) [Music Video Review] September 04, 2023 by Kreadiv Kesh in Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “It is always good to come across a song that has a classic RnB sound. Ride or Die is about being by your partner’s side through it all. Ride or Die is the original concept to passenger princess but with more meaning to it. The diverse dance approach takes me back to the Brittney Spears and Christina Aguilera era with a twist of Ciara. The song is cute, smooth, with a little pop. ” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
B00sted -Selfish [Music Video Review] September 04, 2023 by Kreadiv Kesh in Contemporary R&B, Hip-Hop Rating: 5 out of 5 “This brings back memories of when soft rock/pop style music was a thing. This song is just a great song. The tone of B00sted’s vocals. The chill constant patter of the drums. The smooth sway of the guitar jamming out. This is a feel good song. A song to start any morning off set the mood for a good day. This is a smash. Billboard style hit.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]
RGB x Hueseff -Knight Terrified [Review] August 20, 2023 by Kreadiv Kesh in Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “This is one snazzy, jazz tune. Mellifluous vocals. Trumpet inserts dancing freely in and out of the track. Both artist vocals accenting the other. This song gives 90s coffee shop scenes. Very intimate and vocally enchanting. I would love to hear more from them.” — Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]