Valley Boy - Disgusting [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Valley Boy stays true to the title and offers up a set of lyrics that might indeed be ‘Disgusting’ by the norms society puts on us all, but the writing and delivery are certainly honest and engaging and those two qualities go a very long way in making music feel alive and true.

The build and progression shifts and grows in intensity toward the end and this makes us feel the power of simple, declarative truths that we all hold secret for fear of being judged. In this, the song offers an understated brilliance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Morning Herald - Under The Roof [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The Morning Herald sounds more like something you’d read over coffee, rather than plug into your ears and listen to, but this Philly band delivers a dash of Chili Peppers roasted over an Arcade Fire served with a side of Tame Impala for inspiration.

’Under The Roof’ is the kind of Indie Rock song that feels timeless in its approach and sound, and the overall vibe drips with the savory juice of rock and roll. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

BEXX - Daydream [Music Video Review]

Rating : 4 out of 5

“What are you willing to do for love?

That seems to be what BEXX is asking on this supercharged Indie Rock trip that is both surreal and exotic in a psychedelic kind of way. The video adds to all of that as well and in conjunction with the message of the lyrics gives this complete project a polished intent that few songs/video combinations offer.

This is the type of project that sticks in your mind and instills new meaning with each watch/listen.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

ODDA - Mama [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“ODDa grew up on an island off the south of England and that landscape feels much like the tone and vibe of his music. There is a soft beauty and an underlying harshness that speaks of crashing waves and win swept shoreline. The track is heavy on emotion and feels all consuming much like the salty spray of the sea when you stand near it. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Late Greats - Better Then [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Indie Rock perhaps even more so that most genres, is about capturing an attitude and vibe that establishes both a song and the band’s identity. The Late Greats are new to me, so this is the first track I’ve heard and already, I feel like I have a sense who and what the band is. For me, listening to this song was like getting to know a new person that I straight away think is going to be a very good friend. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Darragh Chaplin - Honestly [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“I hear a lot of songs about anxiety, so it is very tough to hit that theme and stand out, but Darragh Chaplin was able to do exactly that with the single, ‘Honestly.’

The writing dives into the mental dynamics of envying others for their so-called ‘normalcy,’ and losing who you are as you try desperately to emulate the societal norms. The delivery has talent and passion and you can feel the struggle in a way that makes the track very relatable no matter if you suffer from anxiety or not.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Satellite Station - Trouble [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The emotional vocal delivery grabs hold from the first word and as the lyrical build unfolds the performance only draws you in deeper. The Satellite Station brings a timeless songwriter vibe and combines that with a folksy Indie Rock sound that is almost tangible in its powerful emotional resonance. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock blogger

GRAACE - Sentimental [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Melody and vocal tone are powerful when perfectly matched and that was the case on GRAACE’s latest single, ‘Sentimental.’ From the first guitar note to the final emotive line delivered, the track feels spot on. A songwriters sentiments with a commercial vibe that lifts the track above the emotional fray and into a realm not many songs ever reach. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Belaver - Mount Misery [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Strong writing, backed by an emotive and heartfelt delivery, will always find a place in the musical landscape and that is what Belaver gives us with the single, ‘Mount Misery.’

The track unfolds in low key fashion that is easy to digest and fell but the delivery is spot on in tone. The writing delivers punch through the entire progression making this is the kind of track that sticks with you long after the last note has faded.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Belle Roscoe - Soho Shoes [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Sometimes as a curator and reviewer it is best to get out of the way and let the band tell you what they want you to know about their art. This is one of those times ...

From the band:

’We were inspired during London lockdown to film a music video. We wanted to capture the dystopian landscape we were all suddenly catapulted into and it felt like the perfect marriage for SOHO SHOES.

It was a “gorilla” style mission, 4am starts most mornings for about a month. No traffic, no pollution, not a person in sight...

We were arrested one time but it didn’t deter us. We were on a mission. It became an obsession going out every morning to discover London like never before. It also galvanised a creative outlet during a time when we couldn’t play music.

We were armed with an iphone, a gimbal and a dancing walrus.’”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

JonPaul Wallace - Here We Go [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“JonPaul Wallace is all about energy and personality and that comes across in both this song and his bio. JonPaul, don’t call him plain old Jon, is having fun delivering ‘Here We Go’ and you will hav jsut as much fun listening. It is the kind of track that will lift you up, and propel you forward to take on whatever you face. That said, lyrically the track does a great job of motivation, but does not offer a lot in the way of deep insights beyond the infectious rhythm and energy.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

SANNIA - Sad Rich Girls [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“SANNIA describes her single ‘Sad Rich Girls’ as ‘ ... pure catfight energy.’ Using the Paris Hilton era of reality TV as inspiration, SANNIA calls out the superficial bullshit and manufactured drama others use to elevate themselves while stepping on the back and throats of those around them.

This track might feel like a niche type of message, but in reality everyone has been both guilty and a victim of the kind of behavior called out in this song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Confetti - Emo [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Confetti gives us a track that speaks to the age when you are caught between the free spirit of your early 20s and the stage where responsibility and obligation leave you wondering when and why life went wrong. The lyrics are wryly poignant in their humor but they land with deliberate emotion as well. ‘Emo’ is that song that feels like it was written specifically for you when in fact, it delivers a near universal appeal. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rett Madison - Skeptic's Angels [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rett Madison give us a tender and vulnerable track about losing touch with that faith and wonderment we all have as kids but lose as age and skepticism takes over. The need to believe in something remains leaving us all a bit disjointed at times and this track beautifully captures the emotional struggle of being a realist but also letting go and simply trusting in something or someone. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cosmo Thundercat - Hell Without You [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Cosmo Thundercat delivers a timeless rock sound with one foot in the Indie spirit, and the other in more of a classic Roots sound. The writing is sharp, holding the listener at every turn, and the delivery is both emotive and passionate. The build and melody are perfect to set the mood and vibe of the lyrics and performance.

Strong solid single that will resonate loudly for so many.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Ryan Cassata - Mattress [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Regualr readers of LA on Lock will realize we have featured several tracks from LA artist Ryan Cassata, but this track certainly has a different vibe than those other songs. Cassata is talented and that fact shows in the diverse sounds and styles we have heard, though one constant is the strong writing and this track again offers that.

This track has an Emo Hip-Hop vibe that underscores the Pop sensibilities.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Wavy Trees - Hypocrite [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Rock and Roll isn’t dead, but perhaps stuck up in the trees. Wavy Trees at that.

Not sure the origins of the bands name, but I enjoyed this video and track a great deal. There are some 90s influences to the sound and a rock and roll spirit that carried me along for the progression. ‘Hypocrite’ is well-written and engaging with enough attitude and verve to make it all work and feel alive.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Signe - Kerosene Stars [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Finding a connection in a rushed and hurried world is tough no matter if that desired connection is romantic of nature or not. Signe drops this single which takes those emotions and distills them into a glimmering track that connects with its tender vulnerability. ‘Kerosene Stars’ comes with an emotive delivery and meaningful lyrics and an overall epic feel to the build. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Elephant Castle - French Food [Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“We all spent some time daydreaming about food and dining out during isolation, and this track is a fun dreamy ode to wishing for something we can’t have at the moment.

Elephant Castle delivers a unique take and spin on the difficulties of quarantine and how we as society are use to instant gratification. The smooth build and chantlike vocal arrangement pull the listener along and leave you hungry for some savory ‘French Food.’ ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

George McBride - Pink Paisley [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“As a writer myself, I am sucker for a good storytelling song, and George McBride has given us exactly that with ‘Pink Paisley.’

The story of addiction, and the myriad of struggles that comes with it, is one that sadly many can relate to. The overall vibe is of a Indie Rock track and the video does an admirable job of accentuating the writing with strong imagery.

This is a track that feels true to life and the emotions come through in the writing and performance.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger