Charlotte Jane - Refuge [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Trying to help someone you love who isn’t quite ready to be helped, can be frustrating and heartbreaking. Charlotte Jane tackles that very scenario in her new single, ‘Refuge.’

Jane says of her track, “At its core ‘Refuge’ is about the frustration of wanting to love and support someone through a tough time, but how you can’t force someone to open up to you. Especially when it’s a mental health struggle or aftershocks from a past trauma, supporting someone can feel like a spectator sport sometimes. You can see the pain playing out but you can’t get involved unless they invite you. I thought I was writing it about other people, then realised I could, subconsciously, be talking to myself.”

The track is delivered in tender, but raw vocals that enable the listener to feel every word of the frustration, pain, and hope.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Chríz Gabriel - Drip [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“With ties to London, Brooklyn, and LA, Chríz Gabriel brings a smooth worldliness to his flow that gives his delivery a hook and edge even on a track like ‘Drip’ which on the surface is all about a clean tranquil vibe. Dig in deeper however, and the nuance of the writing adds a dimension than only a man like Gabriel is poised to unleash.

Fresh out of London, Chríz Gabriel is a man on a mission. With a talent birthed through LA culture and Brooklyn block parties, and a sound inspired by artists such as Little Simz, Lecrae and Drakeo the Ruler, Chriz is a melting pot of West coast sounds, catchy hooks, and intricate flows.

There is a hint of freestyle and stream-of-consciousness to the overall flow style, though the production and hook elevates ‘Drip’ to that next level and gives the track the added purpose to make it stand out from the fray. The video gives the viewer a glimpse of Gabriel’s personality and passion.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Oscar and the Wolf - James [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Oscar and the Wolf brings a shimmering fusion of contemporary R&B and melancholy electro-pop straight out of Belgium. There are definite Drake and Weeknd vibes through there is an added softness that gives the this track a distant vulnerability that allows the emotions to land and dissolve into a smooth progression that keeps you invested in the mood of the piece. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Lu'ginnae- Mental [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Lu’ginnae’s new song ‘Mental’ is amazing and relaxing. Her vocals are so smoothing. She has an acoustic R&B sound to her as she talks about being taking away mentally. Finding someone you admire and uncontrollably thinking about them is a feeling you can’t escape.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Charmaine - WOO! [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Once again, Charmaine’s ain’t messing around. ‘WOO!’ follows Charmaine’s debut single ‘BOLD’ that established the Zimbabwe born artist as one of the top female rappers coming out of Toronto. The single has accumulated over 2 million streams on all platforms and ‘Woo!’ once again captures that confident spirit with an energetic bravado that hooks the listener early on.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Belie Bando - TPE [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Sometimes I take my role as gatekeeper and music reviewer and try to explain what makes a track work for me, and sometimes I find it best to defer to the artist to explain.

TPE — AKA Tight Pussy Energy, is trap queen anthem with a NY vibe and artist Belie Bando calls the track ‘... an anthem for women as I constantly proclaim Tight Pussy Energy. It reminds men and women that TPE is about being sexy and strong.’ ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Zikai - Stay This Way [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Right about now all of us are wishing we could go back to easier, simpler times. Losing yourself in a memory and place in time is something we all do in our daydreams and Zikai has given that practice an Afro-Beat with a R&B groove sound that brings to life better times and hope for the future because of it. THe vocal talent shines and the soft alluring vocals offer all the hook we need.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Elijah Banks - Hard 2 Forget U [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Elijah Banks creates the emotion with a spot on performance that borders between Hip-Hop, and a more soulful R&B groove.

’Hard 2 Forget U’ is a track that owes its message to the one that got away, or escaped, or perhaps never quite was. It harkens of dashed love and missed opportunity in a yearning sort of way.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Khamari - Demons (Eldorado) [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The art of building an arc with song placement and progression over an entire album or EP is almost a lost art in today’s world of streaming singles, but Khamari has put together a true vibe with the way his EP was built.

’Demons’ is a great track all on its own, so you can listen and appreciate the single’s merits, but for the full effect, take a dive into the entire project.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Darci - Lights [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Can a track be both low key smooth and hype at the same time? If so, ‘Lights,’ the newest offering from Darci might pull of the trick.

Coming with a tranquil calm vibe, this flow is delivered with an almost detached allure, though lyrically the track is about the potential of the night and the excitement it just might bring about.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Tommy Newport - Warp Speed Suzie [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Tommy Newport has captured magic by blending an old soul vibe, with a modern progression and build on his latest single, ‘Warp Speed Suzie.’

The Funk might draw comparisons to Bruno, but there was a verve and confidence about the performance that also reminded me of Timberlake, not in tone, but attitude. This is the kind of track you hear once and by the end feel like its a song you’ve been jamming to for a decade.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Otis Kane - Fight For You [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Otis Kane is Soul!!!!

His new single ‘Fight For You’ begins with a passive tone. His tone leads us into him explaining the roller coaster called love. Love is a battle but the ups and downs is what makes love so strong. As he pours his vocals into the song the solo guitar performance leads us into the ending”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Listen to the single "Fight For You". Out now! Stream: https://music.empi.re/fightforyou.oyd #OtisKane #FightForYou #OtisRecords Official audio by Otis Kane ...

ELEON - Fast Little Getaway (feat. Mayila) [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Losing the one you love is never easy, and sometimes they are gone before you even know it. That is what ‘Fast Little Getaway’ is about.

ELEON delivers the early vocals with a smooth R&B groove infused with a bit of Electro Pop stylings, before Mayila comes in with an emotional apology of sorts that lends a different point of view on the pain of heartbreak.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Timothy Ray - Dancing In The Kitchen [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A sweet tender love song, not about the euphoria of falling in love, but rather the slow steady burn of a growing love. This track was written as a 10th Anniversary gift from Timothy Ray to his wife.

’Dancing In The Kitchen’ captures the devotion and understanding that only comes with time and that bond of sharing everyday life. And this is a track that couples can certainly join hands and dance together in the kitchen.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Shem Thomas - Do It [Music Video Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Singer/Songwriter Shem Thomas loves to tell real stories musically. In his new single ‘Do It’ he provides real stories of motivation and inspiration. His visual highlights the lives of everyday people who ‘Do It’ just because they can do it. As he plays the guitar through the song you can feel his energy in your heart.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

10K - Slow Down [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Every girl needs a getaway trip. Imagine coming across a guy that fascinates you and makes you want to dance all night. 10K’s new single provides that feeling. ‘Slow down’ is a contemporary R&B song with a club atmosphere that will have you dancing and not wanting to slow down from the feeling.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Bronco X - Poison [Music Video]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Bronco X surprised me with their new single ‘Poison’. The high energy band is shown from different angles in a house jamming with their instruments. ‘Poison’ is funky but gives you a feeling of excitement that runs through you like a vibration. As the camera pans around them in a circle providing a green light as if they are playing in a forest like setting.”

— Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Stupkid - Fine [Review]

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]

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]

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