Zack Ely x DEEGAN - Rough [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track has a smooth Pop feel from the very first beat and word. Lyrically, the track can be interpreted varied ways, and I suspect it will hit people differently based upon their own beliefs and life experiences. The vocals are layered and capture your focus with a stellar performance that brings the emotion to the forefront.

Drawing a comparison here is tough, as Zack Ely has a voice that hints at a few well names, but still clearly stands out all on its own. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Zali - That Girl [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The taste of regret is never an easy one to swallow and Zali conjured the memories of that flavor with ‘That Girl.’ Soulful Pop is the sound here as the track delivers attitude from the perspective of the one you let go, and now find yourself wishing you didn’t.

This is a fun song that should resonate for those on both sides of the emotional spectrum because you relate if you are the one who screwed up, or are the one who can hold your head high in knowing your ex now regrets all of their mistakes. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ziva - I. Otherside [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ziva will no doubt draw comparisons to Billie Eilish and while there are definite similarities between the artists, the teenage Ziva is a unique talent all on her own right.

This track is smooth and soulful, with a dark emotional thread carrying it to the end. The horn delivered a nice touch to the melody and brought with it just enough uptempo and funk to take this single to another level.

I can’t wait to hear more from this rising talented singer/songwriter as she moved forward with what should be a long career given her obvious talents.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kayla Rae - Get Close [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We have featured a few songs on LA on Lock from Kayla Rose now so it is safe to say we dig her vocal talent. This latest single, ‘Get Close’ is a fun flip of the 90’s Maxi Priest hit, ‘Close To You.’

Playing off the lyrics from that single, this track delivers a fresh contemporary Pop/R&B vibe that stands out fully of its own strengths. The tie in here is more of a fun fact, than a requirement to enjoying Rae’s latest single. That said it is fun to give both a listen to get both sides of the story.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Parris LaVon - Iris In Bloom [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Parris LaVon’s drops an emotional track speaking to, and honoring his mother.

Saying goodbye is tough, and the array of emotions that hit us while trying to do so can be overwhelming. The lyrics here reflect all of that in a way that makes us the listener feel his struggles, hope, love, and sadness.

’Iris In Bloom’ is a track that would make any mother proud and all the more so when it comes from a talent like LaVon.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jacqui Fauni - Computation [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This is a fun and sassy song and honestly, the line ... dial 1-800 stay the fuck out of my life ... had me hooked for good.

The tone hear is light and airy and the writing clever and zingworthy throughout. The upbeat tempo is defiant yet fun and the vocal flow uses a few different paces to keep it fresh and engaging.

A fun song start to finish. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dirt Dolla - Blue Dream [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“A soulful and bluesy track with a nice Hip-Hop flow throughout, Dirt Dolla drops the single ‘Blue Dream,’ which has a bit of holiday nostalgia to it. That is not to say the track doesn’t have a resonance that works well all across the year because the lyrics are strong and the beat infectious.

Hard to pin a genre on this one so we will simply call it good music. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elias Burbick - Yesterday [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The vocal flow rides the smooth, easy groove you expect with Contemporary R&B, but what stands out here is the emotional refrain that pulls you in tight.

Elias Burbick makes us feel every word of the lyrics.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

LEIO - 342 [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A beautifully delivered emotional track that pulls you in, and holds you with strong lyrics and a passionate performance.

The imagery of the video completes the package. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Swatkins - Gotta Give It Away (If You're Gonna Keep It) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I dig this old-school funk for both its simple, straightforward beat and melody, and the subtle complexity behind the lyrics.

This is the kind of song you can groove on over and over again, while diving deeper and deeper into the lyrical meaning. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tyler Shamy - Pills [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“There are lots of songs about battling depression, but few if any nail the struggle as well as this track.

’Pills’ brings an up and down energy, an array of emotion, and an engaging narrative that feels real and entertaining without sacrificing emotion or impact. Style wise this is Commercial Pop with a hard beat and an Electro Pop melody over soulful vocal delivery, ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

J Warner - Stay For A While [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Classic R&B sound with a contemporary splash.

Smooth and soulful, this is a sultry, mood-setting track and video that rides the line between lustful and loving.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Derek Luh - Hoodie [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Letting go is tough to do, and many of us have attached our emotions to an inanimate object.

’Hoodie’ delivers these feelings in a nice steady flow that is as comfortable to wrap around you as your favorite, time-worn garment. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Kirby Maurier - Key$ [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Soulful and energetic, ‘Key$’ rides a hard beat and R&B vocals to create a genre bending Hip-Hop track that feels commercial, without sacrificing its soul.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Micayla De Ette & Flavor Flav - Write a Song [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Micayla De Ette kicks this off with powerful vocals that call and plead and express every artist’s desire to ‘Write A Song’ that will change the world.

Been a minute since I’ve heard from Flavor Flav, but his flow is a perfect juxtaposition here, and this track is engaging all the way through.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

WVZ - Company [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A smooth, easy groove about falling in love with someone you never planned on being part of your life. A relationship others might warn you against, but feels right for you.

The tracks began a little disjointed for me, but once it settles into that R&B rhythm, the single falls into a delightful glide.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

MONTE.XTO - Runaway [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“There is that moment in most relationships where you fear the feelings of attraction and personal attachment. The need of another person is a scary thing and if the person you need sees you in a bad light there is little to do to stop them from being a ‘Runaway.’ This track captures all of this in a smooth, Contemporary R&B style.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Nakfa - Sera [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Dropping a smooth and classic sound, Nakfa bends genres with this Hip-Hop old school 90s R&B vibe.

’Sera’ is a track that took me a bit to connect to lyrically, but from the start I felt the groove behind this single.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Miranda Glory - Pisces [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The vocals are smooth and tender and that brings a vulnerability that really works well here.

The production is catchy with enough Electro elements to keep this one from falling into a saccharine pop vibe. The chorus hook is fantastic and unexpected.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Devon Braxton - Why You So Quiet [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Devon Braxton has answer the question every shy or introverted person gets sick of answering ... ‘Why You So Quiet?’

And Braxton has done it in glorious pop magic. Spot on vocals and an undeniable rhythm bring life to this track that will be stuck in your head for days! ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)