“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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. ”
“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.’ ”
“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.”
“Scottish band, The Roly Mo have released their new single, ‘I Miss The Dancing,’ with a timeless and classic Indie Rock sound that pulls you along as you listen.
We’ve all missed getting out there and mixing it up on friends, be it on the dancefloor or not, and this energetic ode to the times we couldn’t have fun is one that will stick far longer than the condition of our isolation. At least we can hope because good music is way more fun that quarantines. ”
“Sofia Lainovic infuses a sultry rasp into her vocals that reminds me some of ZZ Ward. ‘I Will Not Bother Anymore’ is about moving on from that person that hurt you and no longer allowing them to occupy your headspace or emotions.
The track has a Rock vibe to the melody and build though it uses elements of Blues, and Pop to blend the overall sound into an engaging ode to moving on.”
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
“Elsewhere! has dropped the new single, “Overrated,’ which is an ironic title, because the song and talent are anything — but over rated.
Coming with a pure Indie Pop sound, the track has a bit of Bieber vibe vocally, and comes with a nice groove behind it that conjures comparisons to The 1975. This is an easy build to fall in and join if you feel like belting out the words along with the performance.”
“The best music is always timeless, and very often beyond easy genre classification. That is the case with Hot Monday’s single, ‘Pale Ember.’ There are Indie Rock elements, and Americana elements which combine to give the track a Springsteen sort of threadbare vibe as well as an emotional brand of regret that permeates the delivery and makes it all feel so real. The writing is emotionally stirring and the performance conveys the feelings in every line. ”
“Rock and Roll ain’t dead!
Woodward brings some retro vibes with this contemporary Indie Rock track, but they do so without making the single feel dated in anyway.
’What I’m In Need Of’ is a hard-charged single that conjures forth bands like Foreigner, Van Halen, and Motley Crue, however, Woodward has their own modern spin and brand of sound. No fan of true rock and roll will be disappointed by this one.”
“The stripped down arrangement of ‘Raindrops’ helps set the mood and make the track feel alive in a soft and gentle kind of way. Much like a calming rainfall does wonders for your soul, this track just feels refreshing to your ears and mind.
Under The Rug adds a bit of an odd interlude to the end of the video and track, but even that brought a smile to this jaded reviewers face. ”
“The Painted Roses feel like a band you’ve heard before. Not in a copycat — everybody is doing it kind of way, but in that timeless Rock and Roll sound that makes them sound as if you’ve been listening to the band all your life.
‘Temptation’ is a brooding kind of track with a deliberate build that takes a few twists and turns along gthe way. Per the band’s description ... ‘song features three separate parts which are meant to guide the listener through an average panic attack in a day in the life of the songwriter.’
I am not sure I got that first listen through, but I was engaged and entertained and plan to dive back in and break this track down once I’ve added it to my playlists.”
“Watching someone you love suffer and twist in the wind is a tough experience. Evan Blair was in such a relationship, only he was the one stuck in a bad place and despite his efforts to shake off the doldrums he remained a ‘Sleepwalker’ despite their best efforts to pull him out.
This song is his Indie Rock ode to that time and experience. There is a bit of 90’s nostalgia, but the track still feels relevant and contemporary as well. Reminded me a great deal of Weezer, with feeling overtly derivative. ”
“Indie Rock Bands and California go together like weed and ... well California. Wavy Trees offers up a sound and song that incorporates all of that and then some with ‘Nobody Cares.’
The irony is I do care about this song and this band. You should too because both are pretty damn good and we needs artists to keep the Rock and Roll spirit alive.”
“This track from Gravity Circus gave me White Stripes vibes right from the start. WIth a bendy and brooding arrangement the build and progression offers a bit of funky Rock and Roll spirit, with a hardcore edge lurking there in the background. This is a hard track to to join in and sing along with by the second run through the chorus. ”
“The Satellite Station offers up a haunting distant sound that perfectly convey the emotions of this track. ‘For The Coast’ is a melancholic ode reflection about starting over and finding the courage to venture out an reinvent yourself in some new and unexpected way. ”
“This track hooked me with a few powerful phrases early on, though if I am honest the tempo and arrangement did feel odd to me at first. A jaded breakup song, this track has that sort of building anger and attitude that mirrors the way our minds works as we process and come to such decisions and once that fact hit me, the genius of this track truly came forward. The emotion carries the day along with the strong writing and in the end this track perfectly convey the mix of emotions. ”
“Far too often our pasts are there to confront us. Be a memory or an actual sighting of the person that takes us back and leashes that floodgate. Here on this timeless track from Rightfield, the jolt arrives in the form of a ‘Birthday Party’ with the forced social awkwardness of encountering an ex for the first time.”
“If a classic, prohibition era speakeasy had a sound, this track would be it. ‘Seven Year Storm’ is a bluesy, jazzy, Indie rock ride through hard times and an IDGAF attitude. This offering isn’t as commercial sounding as much of the music we feature on LA on Lock, but something about the spirit of the song spoke to me.”