Thorslund - Firecracker Man [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“True Rock and Roll ain’t’ dead, but it is real damn hard to find.

The glory days of Whisky a Go-Go and the other iconic venues along the Sunset Strip might be behind us, but Thorslund keeps the Hollywood tradition of spawning hard rock with an edge alive and well.

Thorslund does a damn good job of living up to the reputation of LA rockers.

’Firecracker Man’ is a hard charging rock song that works today and would have put them in elite status back in ‘85. Let’s hope they usher in a new era and find the broader audience they deserve so while appeasing the Rock Gods happy with their in your face sound.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Rosalie - Know Me Better [Music Review]

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

“True happiness is unattainable until a person can be happy by themselves. In other words if you don’t like you it doesn’t really matter how the world sees you.

’Know Me Better’ is an autobiographical song inspired by the question ... ‘What would dance music for introverts sound like?’

The result is a simultaneously chill and upbeat song that clearly has one foot in pop and one foot in electronic. Instead of dancing in the club, the song feels like dancing like no one is watching alone in your bedroom. Or jumping on your bed as an adult. It dives into the feeling of healing from being codependent, finally genuinely loving to spend time by yourself, and following your heart to see where it leads you.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

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

San Salinas - Hold On [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“When a passion is truly in your blood you never can quite it. Be it a person or a creative endeavor. Matt Gibson of San Salinas thought he was done with music, but after a life of hardships and addictions, he cleaned up and rediscovered the dormant passion.

’Hold On’ is a soaring rock tribute to that reawakening!”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Cold Weather Captains - Line of Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Coming with a funky little bass line, before the track hits that Rock and Roll edge with intricate guitars play and classic vocal delivery, Cold Weather Captains delivers a nice energetic Alt Rock track .

’Line Of Fire’ has the backbone to serve as a motivational hype track, or to simply be a nice jam you can groove to while motoring down a dark stretch of highway.”

— 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

Makena - Rinse & Repeat [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Some live for the chase and nothing more. Serial daters who toss aside their quarry not long after getting that person to fall for them.

Rinse & Repeat’ is told from the pained view of a castaway that mistakenly thought they were more than a pawn in the game. Makena delivers the Alt Pop track with an energetic vulnerability and anger that is the perfect combination of emotions to bring out the lyrical build.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Dax - Dax-To Be A Man (Ft. Darius Rucker) [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Dax is a versatile talent that can come with a hard-edged Hip-Hop flow or a theatrical horror core track and then here on this track, Dax deliver offers an earnest ballad along with Darius Rucker.

’To Be a Man’ is an ode to the emotions and pressures of being a man. Not just any man but a responsible hard-working man trying to do his best despite the pitfalls and stresses that we face.

Dax and Rucker’s voices blend and play off each other well on the track and the emotions carry the day on this honest and vulnerable look at a side of being a man that often is overlooked. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Jade LeMac - You're Not A God [Music Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Jade LeMAc ahs that ‘It’ factor. It drips from her vocals and audio presence like a a sweet elixir that just might intoxicate you with a single drop.

From Jade ... “‘You’re Not A God’ is for that one person who thinks they’re better than everyone. We all know the type! It’s an anthem for the underdogs, and a big middle finger to those who think they can push people around.”

There is a hint of Billie Eilish in the attitude and tone but, LeMac’s talent shines on its won and this track delivers an edge and intricate build that hooks and compels you to hit repat and listen all over again. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Penny Roox - By My Side [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Dutch songstress, Penny Roox expertly delivers ‘By My Side’ over the top of a richly layers track full of soaring strings and a mellow piano.

The emotive performance borders on theatrical at times but stays in a more Commercial style with heartfelt writing and the vocal power to make you feel every word.

Tranquil, yet evocative.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Little Quirks - Storm Like Me [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Little Quirks is an all-girl trio of two sisters and their cousin from Australia. ‘Storm Like Me’ is a folksy Pop track and the first single from their new album due out early next year.

The song is an ode to being true to yourself even when you are wrong. We all say and do stuff we wished we hadn’t but there is a power in owning our mistakes and trying to do better next time, rather than turning and running from them or make asinine excuses. This sound proudly proclaims, HERE I AM ... flaws and all. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Stephen Flickner - not the type [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Stephen Flickner possesses the type of emotive vocal delivery that instantly hooks a listener. Rich and tangibly emotional Flickner delivers this Alt Pop track with precision and emotion. The build pulled me forward and I stayed invested to the very end.

’not the type’ is an engaging, well-written track that offers an a timeless sound and message. Simple a good song from a talented creater and performer. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

The Sweet Kill - Undead [Music Video Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“Delivered in a deep baritone reminiscent of Nick Cave, The Sweet Kill gives us a track perfect for the season. ‘Undead’ isn’t purely a Halloween track, but it does fit the mood and vibe of this time of year.

The press release details include this description ... THE SWEET KILL is a one-man Post-Punk, Dark & Gothic artist. Driven by cold synths, atmospheric guitar and melodic bass, multi-instrumentalist and velvety crooning baritone, Pete Mills conducts a Darkwave masterpiece of romantic sorrow echoing the laments of The Cure and Joy Division.

The track is a dark romantic ode to an immortal being in love with a mortal facing peril and the is left with no choice bu tto convert his love so they can be together for eternity.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Lauren Waller - Dopamine [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“A dark brooding song about plummeting over the edge and falling in love too fast.

We all crave that hit of ‘Dopamine,’ and this track from Lauren Waller explores our vulnerability when we want anything a bit too much.

This Alt Pop track delivers the foreboding and sensual side of putting yourself out there in harm’s way, at least in an emotional kind of way.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

britta raci - embarrassing [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“There are many dimensions to a breakup, and just as many songs detailing the emotional toll, however few if any take a look at the embarrassment aspect of heartbreak. Reliving and rehashing all the things you said to them when blinded by love, and of course the public shame of having to explain to others what went wrong. Britta Raci covers that and then some in her Pop leaning Alt Rock track called ‘Embarrassing.’ The writing is solid and the emotions tangible, thanks to a passionate and emotive delivery.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

EĐĐIE - Freak on Fire [Music Review]

Rating: 3 out of 5

“This high-energy track has a classic Alternative Rock vibe that can be called a selp hype track. By that I mean anyone who needs a confidence boost or shot of adrenaline to get through their workout or simply motivate them to take on the day.

An anthem to the hustlers and go-getters, ‘Freak On Fire,’ is a musically supercharged track. The vocals at times do not match the musical energy though the juxtaposition does add a a touch of intrigue as well. ”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

Fletcher Moudy - Let Your Hand Slip [Music Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The one night stand is often romanticized and for good reason. The thrill of carnal excitement, and the potential of where it could go are boundless. ‘Let Your Hand Slip’ captures those emotions and feeling and the hard vocal edge of Fletcher Moudy sell it well here. The arrangement is a bit erratic, just like a heartbeat in such situations, and the resulting song sweeps you in just as if lust were leading you along.”

— Travis Erwin ~ LA on Lock Blogger

king dem0 - coma [Music Review]

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

“The world can be an overwhelming place and that is exactly what king dem0’s track ‘coma’ is all about.

The song somewhat reminded me of Beck with a British accent, though with more of a vocal groove and flair to that side of the the production. The arrangement and musical side is a bit funky and blurs the lines of genre which adds to the track’s almost chaotic vibe which is the perfect way to express the intent of the song.”

— Travis Erwin ~ 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