Lucy Cloud - Jealous [Music Video Review] May 08, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Part of the hook is the almost disenfranchised vibe to the vocal performance, which works here because it further conveys the emotion of being stuck in a rut — watching and envying others live their life. The age of social media makes this a real phenomenon that affect most of us to some degree or another, and here, Lucy Cloud delivers a tantalizing example of being ‘Jealous.’ ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Brightside - aftr mdnght [Review] May 07, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Landing somewhere between Contemporary R&B and a more commercial Pop groove, ‘after mdnight’ is about wanting to be more than an after midnight booty call. The track brings a smooth easy groove that is easy to fall into and sing along with, though there is also a sensual vibe like driving alone at tight on a rain darkened stretch of road while your mind runs away to someplace else. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Neon Dreams - Sick of Feeling Useless [Review] May 07, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Uplifting and energetic, ‘Sick of Feeling Useless’ is the new single from Halifax alt-pop duo Neon Dreams. This is the kind of track that sweeps you up and carries you on the wave of bright sounds and clean vocals, but in order to achieve that, a track must also bring a lyrically relevance that connects for most of us. And this song certainly does that with a nice Pop vibe that gathers you in from the very first line. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Tireek, Lonely Leonard - Hold On [Music Video Review] May 07, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Rap, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sometimes all any of us can do is ‘Hold On’ as we go through tough times. And sometimes you gotta hold on for years to get where you want to be. Tireek and Lonely Leonard team up to give is a glimpse of their coming up through tough times, but finding the love and strength around them to help them hold on. Both flows are honest and engaging, and the beat production feels right for the emotions fueling the track” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
KIA - Worth It [Review] May 03, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “KIA gives a song of self-worth and affirmation. With soaring vocals that radiate strength and determination, but do not run from either emotion or vulnerability, KIA’s talent is worthy of diva status, though this track’s lyrics are almost anti-diva in nature. This track is not about tiara’s and ivory pedestals for one, but rather an anthem to remind us all that we are indeed ‘Worth It.’ ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Miscellaneous Productions x Natasha Pheko - Refuge [Review] May 02, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Contemporary R&B, Rap Rating: 4 out of 5 “I like the energy and spirit of this track, and those elements were what caught my attention first. This single would make a nice addition to your motivational playlists, no matter if you are headed to the gym or trying to rebuild a new life after a detour. The vocals are uplifting and the lyrics, while not complex, convey the message of hope and renewal and strength very well.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Grace Davies - Amsterdam [Review] May 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 5 out of 5 “Offering a fresh contemporary spin on the classic song ‘Jolene,’ Grace Davis gives us this soaring and beautiful ode to jealousy. Gliding along on the emotion, the song builds into a haunting ballad of fear and loss. The fact ‘Amsterdam’ is a place and not a person makes the helplessness of the situation feel all the more acute in that we realize how little control any of us have when it comes to the wants and desires of another person. This is a song that makes you feel, makes you think, and makes you lose track of everything else around you. In other words, this is a great song.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kellie Rose - I'm fine [Review] May 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Kellie Rose engages with her vocals, which build and accelerate to pull you in and along as she sings about being fine when you actually are anything but. ’I’m Fine’ is what we say when we don’t really want to talk about our true thoughts and emotions, so it is ironic that it is through that phrase that Rose truly does express herself here. The energy of this track makes it stand out and worthy of notice. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Lorenzo Wood - More Than Friends [Review] May 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Lorenzo Wood offers a track of hopeful promotion from the friend zone — to something more. ’More Than Friends’ is a soft Electro Pop track with a brief interlude of sultry saxophone to add to the musical layers and production. The emotion of the lyrics is real, and Wood’s performance is genuine as you can feel the plaintive hope in every word.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
dezabel - Tattooed [Review] May 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Singer/Songwriter “A beautifully performed song about the longing of grief, and the swelling pride of love. The track is drenched with emotion, but not in an overly sentimental way for the sake of sadness, but in a realness that never delves into the morose thanks to a lively musical arrangement and the talented spirit of the vocal performance. True loves leaves a mark long after it is gone and that truism is at the heart of this track.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Lost Stars - All I Know [Review] May 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Electro Pop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “This is an engaging Electro Pop track about cutting ties to that on again/off again relationship. Cutting that bind with someone who wants to be involved only when it is convenient to them is a tricky maneuver, because those people are often manipulative and skilled at their deception. This track is about finding strength, and perhaps it will speak loudly enough to others to give them the courage to finally break free, but even if you are not in this situation the single is lively and entertaining and delivers relevance to the modern dating world.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Max George - Hate You [Review] April 30, 2020 by Kreadiv Kesh in Commercial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Singer, Songwriter and Actor Max George is taking his Glee talents and putting them in his new single ‘Hate You’. In an energetic yet hurt single he reveals how he is hurt and torn but doesn’t ‘Hate You’’. He gives many reasons he should but he realizes he has none. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Dror - "Bloodline" [Music Video Review] April 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Dror drops this noir-esque track that puts his unique tone to great use. This is very much a storytelling song and the video advances the narrative quite well. Think Bonnie and Clyde, meets a modern Ride or Die vibe with the allure of a pop song and the emotion of classic R&B. You can taste the energy in every vivid word of this track. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
LU KALA - Want You [Review] April 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Electro Pop, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “The unique timbre to LU KALA’s vocals are the first thing I noticed on the track. Then the well-wriiten lyrics captured my attention. ‘Want You’ is a track about a relationship not delivering what she needs, and yet the allure and desire is still, illogically present. The performance sells the emotion, while the beat and melody offer an energetic vibe giving this track a well-balanced allure of its own.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club (Acoustic Video) [Music Video Review] April 28, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Singer/Songwriter, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “A magic club where everyone can freely be themselves without fear of judgment? That is what Chappell Roan has given us here with ‘Pink Pony Club,’ a heart-rendering vocal ballad about acceptance. The piano melody and Roan’s vocals invite you in and the tender songwriting holds you, leaving you eager to discover what’s next in this song of both hope and sadness. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Medusa - Man Like That [Review] April 26, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Smooth and soulful like far more music used to be. The vocals drop in with a heavy dose of want and sensuality, whereas the lyrics are more about the hopes and dreams of what she is looking for out of a relationship. The R&B groove is infectious and grubs you start to finish giving this track an allure that is pleasing to the ears and mind and impossible to escape.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Aron Blom - Water [Review] April 24, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Aron Blom possesses an engaging vocal tone that pulls you deep into his performance here on the single, ‘Water.’ The track takes a look at that next phase of a relationship when the initial lust and luster has faded and perhaps you realize the other person is not quite as perfect as you first believed. However, this rediscovery can lead to an even better understanding and long lasting love and Blom is able to covey this thorough strong writing and his touching vocals.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
YONAS - Good Day [Review] April 24, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “There is something to be said for unbound optimism and that is exactly what YONAS is offering with his positive vibe laden track, ‘Good Day.’ The flow here is loud and vibrant and full of easy to follow good cheer, even when YONAS drops a few fuck yous along the way. Join in, song along and you to can be having a ‘Good Day.’ ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Olivia Deane - Cynic Queen [Review] April 24, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Olivia Deane brings an energy and attitude to this genre bending track. Bringing definite Pop swagger and production to lyrics that permeate a honky-tonk queen vibe of Country music at its best, Deane put her foot down on the dating world’s throat with her single, ‘Cynic Queen.’ But so pure is the talent and earnest emotion that you can’t help but give her an enthusiastic ... Hell Yeah! Tell it girl!” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Madeleine Rae & Al von Staats - Dare You Not To Kiss Me [Review] April 22, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Breaking up is hard no matter the circumstances, but what happens when one or both of those involved knows that saying goodbye is a mistake they will regret? That exact scenario is at the heart of this single from Madeleine Rae & Al von Staats. Both sets of vocals are soft and tender, and you can feel the emotion of the moment in the soft sweet arrangement. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)