The Soundtrack to My Los Angeles Summer
How Tori Kelly’s "TORI." became the album that defined two solo trips and the best month of my life.
Which album would you take on a solo trip?
The album I would take with me on a solo trip.
Or in this case, two solo trips.
This is going to sound dramatic, but for some reason I’ve always felt connected to Los Angeles. Not only is it the city of the rich and famous, it’s also a place endlessly romanticized in movies and songs, and so iconic that even games like Grand Theft Auto V are based on it. Because of that, Los Angeles already felt strangely familiar long before I ever stepped foot there. Shortly after turning 22, I finally found the courage to see if reality could live up to the version I had built in my head, and to say that it did is an understatement.
But of course, no trip of mine is ever complete without an album accompanying me. For my first trip to Los Angeles it was Tori, Tori Kelly’s self-titled six-song EP. A few weeks before leaving, I came across a snippet of her song “Cut” on TikTok one night while endlessly scrolling. I’d known about Tori Kelly for years, but had never really paid attention to her music. This track though, something about it instantly caught my attention. I clicked on her page and heard more snippets, and immediately knew this project was meant to be listened to during my first trip to America. The songs just had that Californian vibe; smooth and breezy, blending the bold and confident energy of LA with modern pop. They felt like the kind of songs you’d play while driving down the coast with the windows down and palm trees all around you. And so after making that decision, I never revisited those TikToks again. I saved all six songs for the trip itself, and I’m so glad I did. Hearing them for the first time in the streets of Los Angeles felt absolutely magical!
Sadly, time passed way too quickly, and my stay there felt way too short. It felt like I still had some unfinished business there. There were still so many places left to visit, and the places I had already visited apparently did not satisfy me enough because I wanted to visit them again. And so back in the Netherlands, I immediately found myself booking another trip to Los Angeles, and just a few months later, I was back, this time for an entire month! It only felt fitting that, just days before my flight, Tori Kelly released the full fourteen-track version of the project. This time it was called TORI. (in all caps, with a period at the end) and it included the original six songs alongside eight completely new ones. So once again, I saved the music, and I had eight new tracks to listen to in a city that already felt like home after just visiting it once.
From the moment I landed, "TORI." became completely intertwined with my time there. I played the album every single day, front to back, over and over again.
From the moment I landed, TORI. became completely intertwined with my time there. I played the album every single day, front to back, over and over again. Every road trip, sunset, hike, bus ride, beach day — you name it, and this album was playing in the background. I even visited locations where some of the visuals had been shot. And late at night when I got back to my apartment, instead of sleeping, I’d watch every single interview from this era.
Musically, TORI. is an R&B and pop album heavily inspired by Y2K-era sounds. It’s filled with powerful vocals and upbeat production, reflecting how happy and confident Kelly felt while creating it. The project feels like a complete reinvention for her, especially compared to the shy and introspective energy of her previous album. Here, she dives headfirst into the R&B world instead of just dipping her toes in it, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and modern. And that transformation isn’t just musical, but visual too. The styling, aesthetics, and music videos all add up to the world she’s creating around the music.
And then there’s the lyrics. The line: “Let me provide you a life raft, I know you’re alive but you could be living.” from “Shelter” still makes me smirk no matter how many times I hear it. Not every song needs to carry a deep message. Sometimes it’s enough for lyrics to simply be clever and sharp, and this album is full of moments like that. The song “Spruce” is a perfect example. Lyrically it’s about getting ready for a girls’ night out, which, when you think about it, is nothing special, but the song's lyrics and production just sounds so expensive and it makes me feel like the most confident and beautiful version of myself. On “Missin U,” we find Tori reminiscing about a past love, and even though they weren’t able to make the relationship last, she has nothing but love for her former partner. And on “Thing U Do,” we hear her singing about “that thing” her lover does that makes her go crazy in the best way. And even though we never actually find out what “that thing” is, the song is an absolute banger that builds up to an explosive last chorus. The interpolation of “Tom’s Diner” in this song is also brilliant and executed so well!
What makes the album even stronger is how cohesive it feels. The entire project was created alongside Jon Bellion, and you can hear that intimacy throughout the record. I love it when artists commit to a small creative circle instead of working with endless producers and writers for an album. It gives a project a stronger identity and consistency. Jon Bellion’s vocals appear across every track, while the instrumentation blends seamlessly with electronic elements. The album’s production feels luxurious and cinematic, which also makes it incredibly fun to listen to. This record actually sits pretty far outside my comfort zone, but Jon’s production combined with Tori’s style is simply undeniable!
When I look back on my time there, I genuinely think it was the best month of my life. It’s hard to explain, but it just felt like I blended right in. I met so many amazing people, and every evening I got to watch the sunset at the Santa Monica Pier. Everything just felt so natural and easy, like I belonged there. I never really felt like a tourist, instead, I felt like a local. I had my favorite places and restaurants, knew all the hidden spots, and eventually didn’t even need Google Maps anymore. If you’re ever in LA and you’re looking for a good place to eat, you must try the “Bachan’s Bowl” from MIXT. It was the best salad I’ve ever had and I ate it almost every day when I was there!
Because I was there for an entire month, there was no need to rush. Usually when I travel, I feel like I have to see and do everything in such a short amount of time, but this time was different. And because I was there all by myself, I felt incredibly free. The sunny weather and the relaxed atmosphere is just so different from the Netherlands, where it feels like all we ever get is rain. Everything about that month just felt right.
Just a few days ago, I got a tattoo to honor this amazing trip. I got a postage stamp featuring LA’s iconic palm trees, and next to it, the title of the album’s lead single “Missin U.” It was the least I could do for an album that has meant so much during my time there. Because at the end of the day, TORI. isn’t just an album to me. It became the soundtrack to a place, a version of myself, and a month I would relive a thousand times if I could.
Check out Thomas’ short essay of the album in his Instagram post.
