Kat Cunning - Bedroom Angel [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Sometimes the creator of a track articulates their intent in a way I never could. That is the case with Kat Cunning and her single, ‘Bedroom Angel.’

”When I wrote Bedroom Angel I imagined being closeted in a small town and praying at the foot of my bed for some sapphic apparition to burst through the ceiling and show me the way. I hope this song serves as redemption and celebration bursting through your ceiling to give you that same nudge toward owning what you want and who you are. Queer people are angels, pleasure is political, and you are my favorite ghost.” - Kat

This track is delivered with smooth silky vocals that emote the passion behind the writing, creating a meaningful and entertaining song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

HAHA - No Promises [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 put of 5

“A true 80’s throwback, HAHA delivers despite making, ‘No Promises.’

The smooth vocal harmonies and lyrical wordplay is fun and evocative at the same time. The 80s might be gone but the music continues to inspire and live on and this danceable track is full of nostalgia for that era but still works as a contemporary track lyrically.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cloud House - Photographs [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Written after the death of lead singer, Conor’s mother, ‘Photographs’ is part nostalgia and part motivational inspiration. Delivering a classic Indie Rock sound, Cloud House puts their energy and emotions into this track which serves as the Glasgow bands lead single on a brand new EP.

The vocal and musical talent allows the band to feel emotive and powerful and this track is but one that promises to deliver a punch straight to your gut. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Highline - Feel Like New [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Highline has come a long way from their roots ... as four friends forming a band after playing in the High School Jazz band together.

They traded the Jazz licks for a sound that utilizes Indie Rock guitars and a sound that could be anytime from the 90’s to today. Timeless in other words.

This is Indie Rock as it should be! ‘Feel Like New’ doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it certainly rocks and rolls the way it is supposed to. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock BLogger

The Stemmas - Eyes Wide Open [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Stemmas are an emerging, Indie musical collective started by guitarist and executive producer, Jerry Conrad, and lead vocalist Tommy White but expanded to an impressive group of accomplished artists and collaborators.

’Eyes Wide Open’ is a timeless rock song of boredoma nd questioning and taking a chance to find what answers might be out there in the world. This is Rock and Rolls as it should be, but is seldom heard these days int he glossy world of manufactured corporate music. The right kind of grit and IDGAF attitude, with the video to match.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Sannia - august [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As they say, you never forget your first love. ‘August’ was written about a lost love and the what-might-have-beens of that initial, tangible foray into dreaming of happily ever after.

Sannia delivers the lyrics with a mix of wistful nostalgia, and tender heartbreak to make you feel the heartbreak and lost opportunity. The track shifts from slow and tender to upbeat and regretful, and the blend is intoxicating. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Call Us Janis - The Greatest [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“We all need a hype song from time to time. German band, Call US Janus gives us ‘The Greatest’ a straightforward and energetic ode to self-promotion and motivation.

Add this track to your workout playlist, or play it right before walking into demand that raise ,or anytime you need to a shot of confidence and ego to rally you into action.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Halover -Better State of Mind [Review]

Rating: 5 out of 5

“Today is not tomorrow or yesterday. Halover’s “Better State of Mind” is a sad yet energetic Indie Pop song. It reveals the type of mood someone can be in but also provides affirmations that tomorrow will be better. Anyone that listens is able to follow the range of the guitar strings and pick up on every mood Halover has. ”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Courtney Farren - I Must Like It [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Courtney Farren has the rare combination of songwriting talent, and emotive vocal power to convey the words she’s written. ‘I Must Like It’ is a thought or idea we’ve all had as we find ourselves repeating mistakes or at least find ourselves back in familiar situations that we had not exactly been planning for ... leading us to wonder if maybe this is what we want despite ourselves. The writing is nuanced and is the kind of song you can glean something new from with each listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Katie Gregson-MacLeod - September [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The vocal prowess of Katie Gregson-MacLeod elevates this track and makes it impossible to skip ahead or drift away from her delivery. Lyrically the emotions are strong and tangible and the intricate delivery kept me leaning in and intrigued for what came next. This is one I will listen to for years to come as the combination of unique talent and human realness give it a timeless quality that will always speak to me. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Maiah Manser - With A Smile [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“ I like how Maiah Manser’s takes her time with her delivery in the intro. The song goes from subtle and dramatic to a little energetic. It keeps you engaged with the fast beat and allows you to be a dreamer as well. I like how her vocal range is revealed as well as the overall production.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Subway Rat - Outta Town[Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The song has a rock tempo to it because of the guitar and the amps. Its alternative raw style is direct in its purpose without giving you much verses. I wouldn’t classify “Out of Town” as a broken hearted love song but more so of year I messed up and this is why.Even though you hear the chorus more the experimental energy allows you to rock with it.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Zulu-Seeing God [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“The song has a rock tempo to it because of the guitar and the amps. Its alternative raw style is direct in its purpose without giving you much verses. I wouldn’t classify “Out of Town” as a broken hearted love song but more so of year I messed up and this is why.Even though you hear the chorus more the experimental energy allows you to rock with it.”

— Kreadiv Kesh [LA On Lock Blogger]

Deaf Andrews - Phone Line [Músic Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Deaf Andrews brings a whiff of nostalgia in both their sound and writing. At least on this track. We all experience that flashback of sentimentality so the song is certainly relatable, no matter when you grew up.

This is timeless Indie rock with a nice energy and balance of musical talent and thoughtful well delivered vocals. Can’t wait to hear more offerings from this talented group of friends.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Michael Isaak - Okay With This [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Michael Isaak lays himself bare with an honesty that would make most uncomfortable. With lyrics that feel like Michael is trying to convince himself as well as his lover that they’ll be ok, I don’t know who needs to believe it more. With blue tape acting like a totem from inception, Michael is fixated on that safe space this brother made for him all those years ago. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Kevian Kraemer - Restart [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Restart is a slice of innocence that only comes from that pain of your first love. Kevian’s lyrics and delivery are so conversational you almost feel a part of their love story. Kevian is truly a storyteller and paints a truly vivid picture of what it feels like when you ground beneath you crumbles when you thought it was solid ground. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on lock blogger)

JamesBetaMax - Mystical [Review]

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

“Skipping experimental production, a catchy chopped & screwed hook and laid back rap... Jamesbetamax is cooking. The raps let this one down a little but this artist is onto something fresh. Far from perfect there is enough to hear (more importantly, feel) in this record to know when he really dials into the sound he wants to create he’s gonna take the world by storm. Watch this space. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

CrashMonkeys - LA Trash [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This record is catchy and tongue in cheek in the way LCD Soundsystem was. The production might not be as infectious but this chorus is made to screamed at a packed show. The CrashMonkey tap into the kind of nostalgia that feels forever cool. The vocals are a little off but I think thats part of the charm and is kinda like LA in a way, its a little off but something about it just keeps you coming back.”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Kacia - Plastic Straws [Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“Kacia is a young artist who is finding himself, and he does it with a transparency most established artists haven’t figured out. Stepping into adulthood is never easy, and for a long time you still have teenage emotions just with adult responsibility. Kacia’s lyrics are so innocent, from painting the vivid picture waiting on his letter to Hogwarts to wondering which friends will be around as soon as the school bell rings for one last time. Plastic Straws is a beautiful fist step into adulthood. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA On Lock Blogger)

Coma Girls - Back To The Source [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Self-reflection doesn’t always need to be drenched in sour minor chords and brooding grooves. Coma Girls prove that because Back To The Source just makes me want to move. Its ear-worm like melodies and true indie anthem guitars make you want to shake your demons off at a Coma Girls show screaming every lyric back at them. Subtle yet poetic with honest like “You were good at sex / But you’re bad at goodbyes” makes this a a true pop masterpiece without even trying. ”

— Andrew Amoah (LA on Lock Blogger)