Stupkid - Fine [Review] October 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rap, Contemporary R&B, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Listening to this track gives you the same sensation you get while walking along the boardwalk on a warm sunny day ... when the scent of the ocean is in the air, the buskers are playing your favorite song, and the girls are all smiling your way. Carefree and energetic are the two words that come to mind here so kick back and listen to feel the warm sun no matter where you happen to be.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Benz Paul x The Crushboys - Dear Homie,...I Reject You [Remix] September 25, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Contemporary R&B, Commercial, Autotune Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Sometimes a song strikes the perfect tone to bring forth the vibe of the lyrics, and that is the case here with ‘Dear Homie, ... I Reject You.’ In what would could be described as an emotively flat tone, Benz Paul offers the perfect set of vocals to make you feel these particular lyrics. The melancholic distance is the perfect vibe here, and the combination is very engaging as the performance and writing blend to set a mood that grips the listener hard.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Lo Knowles The One Where They Run - [Review] September 21, 2020 by Kreadiv Kesh in Contemporary R&B, Neo-Soul, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “There is nothing like harmonic vocals. Singer and Songwriter, Lo Knowles new single ‘The One Where They Run’ is about going to a place that is peaceful and free. Even when you are on the run from your emotions its ok to escape to your own place. The finger snapping draws in the melody even more.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger) Written By - Lo Knowles Produced By - Lo Knowles Mastering - The Retreat Studio @MixedByWonka
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)