Micah Edwards - Girl from the Valley [Review] October 15, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Singer/Songwriter, Americana Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Micah Edwards calls his sound Texas Soul ... I simply call it damn good music.I do hail from Texas originally so the Lone Star State has a soft spot in my heart, but I don’t care where you ‘re from, this is the kind of soulful, smooth song that speaks straight to the emotions. Timeless yet contemporary as well, ‘Girl From The Valley,’ simply feels right from the very first note. Can’t wait to hear more music from the talented Edwards.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Mar-Q -Ride 4 U [Music Video Review] October 08, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Soul, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 5 out of 5 “Its always pleasant to hear a good RnB song. Mar-q’s new single “Ride 4 U” is about discovering who is loyal to you and appreciating them. It recognizes loving the people who love you and recaps the good things they have done. This is a soulful visual of Bonnie and Clyde. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Dylan Chambers -Me Vs. Me [Music Video Review] August 16, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Funk, Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 “LADIES and GENTLEMAN! Are you ready to rumble ... because Dylan Chambers comes out swinging with this track which is pretty much Bruno Mars meets Muhammed Ali. Get your funk on with this energized track that takes a big lyrical swing with its swagger, though for me it was the power punch of the music that truly sounded the bell. This is a track that will get you bobbing and weaving and the video adds some carefree fun and goofiness to this entertaining escape.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Bridge City Revival - Lucky Me feat. Arietta Ward [Review] June 05, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “I don’t know much at all about the Portland Soul scene, but if it sounds anything like this, it is time I booked a plane ticket for Oregon. Bridge City Revival, in conjunction with Arietta Ward, drops this easy groove titles ‘Lucky Me.’ The track comes with that timeless Soul you never know you need to feel, until it is filling your ears prompting the question ... where has this sound been?” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Hilary Watson - Lie Awake [Review] May 14, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Singer/Songwriter, blues Rating: 4 out of 5 “Hilary Watson has the kind of timeless vocals that fits most any time period or genre. Stepping away from her normal vocal duo in this solo effort, Watson offers up a bluesy roots sound that comes with a bit of a wry twist, lyrically. ” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kai Straw - Bleeding Out in the 415 [Review] April 30, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Contemporary R&B, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Hailing from the Bay Area, Kai Straw has the kind of voice that refuses to let you turn away. Raw and vulnerable, while still holding a dark edge, this track unfurls a mesmerizing story. If the movie Sin City was smashed together with The Weeknd along with some kind of dark-side Flume, they’d sound something like this. This is the kind of song that will stick in your mind long after the last note has faded.” — Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger
Kristopher James - Feelings [Review] April 16, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, blues, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “If you are a sucker for that timeless smooth groove of a soulful crooner, then Kristopher James is an artist you want to know. ‘Feelings’ takes you for a ride that feels like a drive on warm Sunday afternoon down a wide open stretch of road. It is the musical equivalent to the warm scent of sugar cookies fresh from the oven. It is comfort music in every sense of the word. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Kat Eaton - Slow It Down [Review] April 01, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, blues Rating: 4 out of 5 “Kate Eaton delivers a Bluesy ode of salute to a slower pace, in ‘Slow It Down.’ With vocals that offer energy, but also an aching brand of hope, Eaton unfurls a vocal arrangement that wraps the listener up in a soft blanket and allows the words to warm the soul. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
The Naked Eye featuring Conor Albert & Alice Auer- Letting Go [Review] March 30, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Soul, Neo-Soul Rating: 3.5 out of 5 “ Listening to the string of the guitar takes you away. As the tempo moves into the song more “Letting Go” is the musical tone of a neo-soul night. The Naked Eye presents feelings through music.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Sun Kiss - I Can't Help But Care [Review] March 08, 2021 by Kreadiv Kesh in Soul, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “The house is burning, the toilet flooding, the cops are coming and we are all out of money but I can’t help but care. SunKiss gives a dramatic yet interesting song. A solo comes in around the 2 mark but this is sure a song you will find yourself singing along with. It’s one of those songs that really doesn’t make sense but sounds so damn good. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
Yoji - If I Had Only Known [Review] February 12, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Soul, Singer/Songwriter Rating: 4 out of 5 “The soft and smooth vocal build kept me on the hook early on as Yoji built into the emotion of this soulful ballad. The gift of hindsight would be nice, and sometimes all we can do is trust that good things are coming, but this track offers a sweet refrain for those thankful of where they are now. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Dominique Fils-Aimé - Mind Made Up [Review} February 11, 2021 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Soul, R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “With a hint of Blues and a whole lot of soul, Dominique Fils-Aimé definitely has her ‘Mind Made Up,’ and after you listen to this talented vocalists your mind will be made up as well. This affirmative build and progression simply sweeps up the musical soul and carries it forward along with the track making it impossible not to close your eyes and lose yourself in the music for a few minutes.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
CHEL - Nasty Woman [Music Video Review] November 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Soul, Electro Pop, Deep House, Commercial Rating: 4 out of 5 “Labeled as so-called nasty women in certain political circles, the strong and fiercely independent ladies of this world have something to say and damn it, they refuse to be silenced. CHEL is among the proud, the brave, the bold — and on this Soulful Pop track, she makes her ‘Nasty Woman’ proclamations in loud, talented tones that draw a line in the sand for anyone looking for a fight.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Stark x Kestra - (Don't You) Darken My Door [Review] October 30, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “London songwriter and producer Stark, teams up with Soul singer Kestra on this track which jumps right in and grabs hold with both fists. If Adele and Amy Winehouse were fused into one explosive performance, ‘Darken My Door’ is what I imagine that track would sound like. Big and bold and so full of talent, this is a track that demands your attention.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Derek Luttrell - Called You King [Review] October 23, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “It’s never wise to tick of a songwriter, or writer of any kind for that matter. This track is a songwriter speaking his mind after being mistreated and to explain here is the description from the artist himself ....’Called You King,’ is written about an aging ‘local hero’ band that did everything it could to keep myself and other musicians from having the spotlight at any given time. They kept me close, but made sure to sabotage my life at every step. Lies, stealing, and adultery. All of the good stuff. They’ve been called king of their hometown for too long, without bearing any fruit. Midas minus the golden touch. Enjoy! ~ Derek Luttrell” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Quinn DeVeaux - All I Need [Review] October 23, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Pop, Funk, Folk, Americana Rating: 4 out of 5 “Rock and Roll Soul Funk. That’s the vibe Quinn DeVeaux brings in this track, which fans of Nathanial Rateliff and Leon Bridges are certain to enjoy. ’All I Need’ captures that all-encompassing euphoria of finding that person that makes the entire world feel world. Simply put, with them at your side you don’t need anything else to feel joyous and right.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Ida Laurberg - Love Me Right [Review] September 02, 2020 by Kreadiv Kesh in Singer/Songwriter, Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 “Imagine tip toeing in a room as you past by you touch things; thinking of a situation but also thinking of someone you desire. Ida Laurberg new single ‘Love Me Right’ is about desire. She tries to explain to someone their mistakes and how it can be fixed if only they loved her right. Her emotional in dept vocals will have you wanting and demanding to be loved the right way.” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)
The Slim Kings - Raw [Review] August 26, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Soul, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “The Slim Kings might be skinny in stature, but the band is clearly thick on talent. ’Raw’ is soul-filled Indie Rock track that carries hints of Billy Joel melodically, and Springsteen vocally, all with a bluesy Retro Soul groove that conjures vibes of a long smoke-filled night on the Boulevard.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Sy Sylvers - Best Believe [Review] August 26, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Neo-Soul, Soul, R&B Rating: 4 out of 5 “Sy Sylvers has an alluring vocal tone that simply invites you in at the first note, and here that comes with a melodic groove and rhythm that wraps around you like a warm blanket on a cold night. This combination has blissful affect that draws you in close and keeps you there in the tranquil bosom of her vocal embrace.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Sean O'Kelley x Olivia Kuper Harris - Just Give Love [Review] July 24, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Jazz, Commercial, Soul Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Sean O’Kelly provides the swing on that sax, and Olivia Kuper-Harris ups the retro vibe with her energetic vocals. This is a track to grab the one that matters to you and ‘Just Give Love’ to that dance floor no matter if it is your kitchen tile, or a true dance hall. This is a track to cut loose with and if you are alone then you can simply open that mouth and belt it out to take part in the fun.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)