Originally from the West Coast, Leilani Kilgore began performing professionally at the age of fourteen – a time when most teenagers are only just discovering their interests. Music, however, had chosen her long before. She later honed her craft at the prestigious Berklee College of Music – a place where talent meets discipline and drive. Today, the name Leilani often appears in the pages of music publications. Recently, she released her debut album “TELL YOUR GHOST” – available digitally as well as on vinyl and CD. Critics hail her as one of the brightest and most in-demand rock guitarists of her generation – energetic, virtuosic, and a must-see in live performance. That’s no exaggeration: she has played hundreds of shows across the U.S. and beyond, including iconic stages such as Sturgis Buffalo Chip and Summerfest. She has opened for legends like Buddy Guy, Lita Ford, and 38 Special. Years on the road have refined her live shows into a confident, thrilling art form.
Leilani has released a series of singles that have racked up hundreds of thousands of streams, building a dedicated fan base around her. While deeply rooted in the blues, her new album boldly incorporates powerful elements of rock and alternative, showcasing not only her outstanding musicianship but also her artistic range. Across its nine tracks, Kilgore reveals herself as both a virtuosic guitarist and a perceptive songwriter, turning personal stories into pure sonic energy. What’s her secret? The answer lies in her signature style: her playing is assured and impulsive, infused with an inner spark that cannot be faked. Now let’s pop the hood on this musical “hot rod.” The opening track, “HIGH/LOW,” wastes no time with a long prelude – it grabs the bull by the horns. It impresses not only with guitar technique, but with guitar tone. Timbre is one of Leilani’s key calling cards. Her overtones here are clear, articulate, bold, and lush – this is where her talent comes into full force.
“BACK TO YOU” eases the pace. Welcoming bass guitar chords are joined by unhurried drums and a touch of blues in Leilani’s voice. She keeps her course but relaxes without “supervision,” maintaining style while revealing other facets of her artistry. These colors are also present in the following track, “SPANISH MOSS” – chiming guitar solos, a taut bass, drums slicing through space, and vocals shifting freely from deep lows to high notes. The closing group vocals give the track an expansive feel. “Early Grave” stands out for its softness underlined by inner tension – a hidden energy simmering beneath the melody’s surface. Flowing, singing guitar lines set the mood, while bass and synths weave into the arrangement’s fabric, creating a dense backdrop. The instrumental parts are expressive without excessive gloss, accentuating rather than overshadowing the vocals.
When it comes to punch, “CREEPIN” delivers without compromise. Its signature lies in precise rhythmic attacks where they matter most. The drums sound magnificent: the kick hits to the bone, the snare cuts right into the beat, and the toms add sharp, calculated accents. The vocals shine with both nuance and grit, brimming with drive and swagger. If you’ve been looking for a textbook hard rock track, this is it no caveats. “BURN” stays in the same spirit but casts it in different colors. Slightly softer in delivery, it nonetheless feels darker than its predecessor. The guitars don’t so much chop as draw out their notes. The bass runs a tight line, while the drums work more through atmosphere than sheer hit power. The vocals are slightly raspy, with a metallic edge – not showing off their strength so much as scorching the air around them.
“Can’t Take It Back” grabs attention with explosive drums and powerful guitar riffs. Vocals join in quickly, along with bright splashes of cymbals, creating a lively, three-dimensional soundscape. The guitar fuzz layers are dense yet carefully spread across the stereo field. Together it’s like a flash of emotion – one, just like its title implies, that can’t be taken back. After such an emotional burst, it’s only natural to turn to a track where the energy evolves into a layered, dynamic, and expressive sound: “Wish You Were Dead” – alt-rock of the highest caliber. What’s particularly fascinating is how Kilgore strikes the balance here between technique and emotion. Her solos tell a story – not so much about the notes themselves as about the feelings between them. The lyrical “I See Stars”, the closing track of the album, ties it all together. The melody wraps around the listener, Leilani’s vocals filling the song with warmth and sincerity, while the instrumental delivery is smooth and singable. If summed up in a single word, it’s exemplary a farewell that leaves the sense of a complete, cohesive work.
Leilani Kilgore’s debut album “TELL YOUR GHOST” is confident, full of drive, and deeply personal. There’s a genuine spark in her guitar playing, and her voice carries that unmistakable raw nerve you can’t fake or replicate. What’s especially important is that her work has its own signature, its own identity. It’s equally impressive that Leilani produced “TELL YOUR GHOST” entirely on her own. It feels like we can expect only hotter and more vibrant material from her in the future.
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