Leilani Kilgore’s ‘Tell Your Ghost’: A Raw, Blues-Infused Rock Debut That’s Finally Here

TELL YOUR GHOST

Listen to TELL YOUR GHOST on Spotify · album · Leilani Kilgore · 2025 · 9 songs

Leilani Kilgore has just dropped her long-awaited debut full-length album, Tell Your Ghost. Released today, the nine-track powerhouse arrives like a freight train of blistering guitars and soul-baring lyrics, cementing Kilgore’s status as one of Nashville’s most electrifying emerging talents.

For those who’ve been tracking Kilgore’s meteoric rise, Tell Your Ghost feels like the culmination of years spent honing her craft. Originally hailing from Southern California, the guitarist, vocalist, and self-proclaimed “riff bandit” traded coastal punk dreams for the gritty allure of the blues after immersing herself in the works of icons like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Keith Richards. What started as aspirations to shred power chords on the Warped Tour evolved into a deep dive into blues greats, leading her to drop out of college and relocate to Nashville, where she’s spent the last several years cutting her teeth on the local scene. Though never a “traditional” blues artist, Kilgore’s roots in the genre shine through, blended seamlessly with rock and alternative edges that keep her sound fresh and unpredictable.

Kilgore’s resume reads like a who’s-who of rock milestones: headlining the Sturgis Buffalo Chip and Summerfest, opening for legends like Buddy Guy and Lita Ford, and earning rave reviews from outlets like Guitar World for her “killer vibe and chops.” Prior to this album, she’d built a devoted following through a string of potent singles, but Tell Your Ghost marks her bold leap into full-length territory. Recorded with her tight-knit band—Jon Wisecarver on guitar, Josh Rice on bass, and David Keith on drums—the album was intentionally captured live in the studio to preserve the “synergy” of their performances. As Kilgore shared in recent interviews, it became a vessel for processing personal struggles, transforming pain into “courageous words” that propel the music forward.

The result is a raucous, road-trip-ready record that leans hard into rock while honoring her blues backbone. Kicking off with the stomping opener “High/Low,” which bursts forth with shredding riffs, booming drums, and soaring vocals, the album grabs listeners by the collar and doesn’t let go. Standouts like “Spanish Moss”—a fan and critic favorite that evokes humid Southern nights and Kilgore’s songwriting spark—deliver high-energy vibes perfect for cranking up on a late-night drive. Tracks such as “Creepin’” and the fiery closer “I See Stars” showcase her virtuoso guitar work, while the recent single “Wish You Were Dead” adds a sharp, venomous edge that’s already racking up streams.

Here’s the full tracklist for Tell Your Ghost: