dezabel - Fade Away [Review] September 19, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Contemporary R&B, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Combining the the talents of LA area singer and songwriter, Jazelle Paris, and Zurich based producer, Bilgi, ‘Fade Away’ is a mesmerizing track that I ironically expect to do anything but fade away. Paris not only supplied the vocals but also wrote the lyrics and melodies to the Electro Pop track that captures the fleeting thoughts and feelings of a high octane relationship slipping away into the night.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kelli-Leigh - Can't Get Enough [Music Video Review] September 19, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Thanks to the incredible vocal talent of Kelli-Leigh, ‘Can’t Get Enough’ is both the title of her latest single, and an apt description of listener’s reaction to her sound. Her performance here is silky and smooth, landing in the sweet groove of a pure R&B sound, with just a hint of a more commercial sound coming through in the arrangement.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Veldor- Bat Shit Crazy [Review] September 18, 2020 by Kreadiv Kesh in Neo-Soul, Commercial, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “This year has been filled with many deaths and tears. Veldor’s new single ‘Bat Shit Crazy’ pretty much sums the year up. He sings about living right, being alive and getting through the bad days. Some people get lost in their pain and discover their own gate way to take the pain away. This may cause pain to others as they drift away to the other side.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Jesse Gold - One in a Million [Review] September 16, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Indie Pop, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “Expressing your feelings is never easy and quite often we turn to liquid courage to speak our heart. ‘One in a Million’ is a Pop-ish, R&B track about two lovers reluctant to admit they are falling for one another in a lasting kind of way. Jesse Gold shines here as does his duet partner and the two voices combine to keep the listener emotionally invested.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
AUDREY NUNA - damn right [Music Video Review] September 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Contemporary R&B, Rap, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “AUDREY NUNA brings the verve and talent to ‘damn right’ ... her fresh new satirical track about talking shit. NUNA said, ‘ I find it amusing when people spend time talking shit about people who don’t even know they exist.’ Talk shit on this rising artist all you want, but it won’t stop her rise. Here the track comes with a nice Rap flow, but is definitely a mixed genre track with R&B and Pop styling all coming to the show. The video is a very literal interpretation of the lyrics. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Khamari - That Girl [Review] September 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, R&B, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Khamari perfectly captures that moment when you spot her, the one that you will do anything to spark a conversation with ... all in the hope that from there a relationship will bloom and blossom. ’That Girl’ has a definite Frank Ocean vibe to it and the track is one that just feels like the euphoric triumvirate of love, lust, and hope.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Ben Brown - Socks & Sliders [Music Video Review] August 26, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “Who thought ‘Socks & Sliders,’ or as we call them here in the US socks and sandals, could ever be made cool? Ironically, that is exactly the point of this well-written track that is delivered with a smooth R&B groove. This is a track that will make you smile and perhaps rethink your own mindset. All in a rhythmic groove that will make you sway and move to the groove.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Gary Beals - Me For Me (Acoustic LIVE) [Review] July 31, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Live Performance, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “The stripped down acoustic vibe of this track allowed for the soulful R&B vocals of Gary Beals to take center stage. The emotion is tangible start to finish, and the vocal runs carry you with them, holding you tight while making sure you feel this track to your soul. ’Me For Me’ is honest in its bare bones plea. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
dezabel - Somebody [Review] July 25, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “When you find that perfect ‘Somebody’ everything else feels just a little bit better and easier. Here on this track, dezabel does a good jab of imparting that sentiment into a vocal groove that carries you through in smooth fashion on this single. Falling in the R&B genre with a bit of elan to a more commercial Pop sound the track is an easy listener to connect with. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Mr Dalvin x JoJo Hailey x Snoop Dogg - Special Remix [Review] July 17, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Contemporary R&B, Hip-Hop Rating: 4 out of 5 “The smooth laid back flow that no one else does quite like Snoop does, kicks off this track. Add in JoJo Hailey delivering a chorus that feels a bit like a throwback without feeling overtly retro, and the track just delivers a vibe that works to create a mood.This is one to dedicate to the one that is ‘Special’ to you. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
LU KALA - No Smoke [Review] July 14, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, R&B, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “LU KALA is coming with some fire on this track, so when she tells you — you don’t want ‘No Smoke,’ you better believe it. Because the attitude she brings, is as persuasive as the talent. This single has energy and passion and delivers punch lyrically while also coming with an undeniable groove musically. It’s not easy to draw an apt comparison, because the vocal chops feel unique and fresh.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
RUNN - Handle With Care [Review] July 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Electro Pop, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “RUNN delivers honest and vulnerable lyrics in this track about admitting your own weaknesses and sensitivities. The vocal performance is tender and open, which invites the listener in, almost like a first date kind of situation. ’Handle With Care’ is a warning, but not an aggressive one that this i what you will get if you choose to be part of my world. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger) RUNN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
Kiara Nelson - Kisses For Breakfast [Music Video Review] July 03, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “The euphoria of new love is a feeling that is hard to replicate though Kiara Nelson does a good job on this track by expressing that eager bit of emotion. ’Kisses For Breakfast’ comes with a fun video that goes along well with the light, Pop-like R&B vibe to the single itself. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
E-Los - Detached [Review] July 03, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “E-Los drops this soulful blend of Hip-Hop and R&B. that just grabs hold of you. The groove is smooth and steady, and the emotion shines through in the performance making the well-written lyrics fell alive. The pace is slow, but that works here because it give you time to feel every word being laid down. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Pace Randolph - Guilty Words (prod. Hatch) [Review] June 20, 2020 by Kreadiv Kesh in Contemporary R&B Rating: 3 out of 5 “Pace Randolph brings us strong melodic vocals in the new single ‘Guilty Words’. The song focuses on knowing when you are wrong in different situations whether its by your actions or your words. The deep echoed voices behind his verses really sets the song off. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
DJ Zenas - Breathe (feat. TaiMarie) [Review] June 15, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “This track offers up a take on current events by splicing in sound clips with a smooth groove and a Hip-hop flow that feels genuine emotionally. DJ Zenas stays with a mellow chill vibe for what is certainly rambunctious and tumultuous times and this juxtaposition makes for an interesting listen and allows for reflection and thought.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Lenkie - Trouble [Review] June 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary R&B, Alternative, Folk Rating: 4 out of 5 “Love and lust are tricky things, and if you are not careful, the chase is what you come to crave more than the actual act of being with someone. Lenkie is a 17 year old South African artist living in New York City, and here she gives us track that feels wise beyond her years. Dark and brooding and intuitive, the mood feels as dangerous as the girl mentioned in “Trouble.”” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Skuzii x Wilke$ - Act Like That [Review] May 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Alternative, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “You ever save a snack or a bit of leftovers in the fridge ... then come for them hungry late at night only to discover someone already ate your food? The betrayal is real, and amplified all the more when the food thief is your significant other. This track is about those emotions and the overall selfish attitude of a disrespectful lover. The writing is humorous, but still emotional and poignant. the way real truths tend to be. The chill flow makes it easy to connect, and I found myself in a musical brand of amen as I nodded along in agreement.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Icarus Moth x Wit Blu - Perfect Outfit [Music Video Review] May 29, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Electro Pop, Contemporary R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “Make up sex! This track is the softest smoothest ode to angry smashing that you will ever hear. The lyrical build is magic and the talented vocal performance oddly pop-like given the message being delivered. Somehow the mismatched combination is quite evocative and intriguing. But I suppose that is how love goes. Passion runs hot and cold, and is especially abrupt after making the corner after a big fight. So perhaps, this song has only captured that dynamic in perfect, musical bliss. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Grace Weber - Sideways [Review] May 22, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Contemporary R&B Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “Grace Weber is a bad ass. A sultry vocalist, a talented songwriter, and a strong-willed soul willing to unflinchingly speak her mind. IF that doesn’t make a person a bad ass, I don’t know what does. ’Sideways’ is a slow tempo track about taking back your confidence and power. The track has a definite R&B groove and a soulful vibe but still has a bit of Pop sensibilities underneath all of that. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)