Lola Young and Chlo The God - a match made in Echoplex heaven.
Photos & Words by Asha Moné
As I made a quick dash down the unspeakable stairs across from the Echo, I tried to take in the brisk LA Sunday before my body was shocked by the hot air that engulfed the Echoplex. I made it to my show of the day, mid-opening set, but rushing aside, the show I planned to see would be marvelous.
The date is April 7, 2024, and thanks to British newcomer Lola Young, my legs were getting their much-needed exercise as I crouched in the front next to a group of friendly ladies who let me squeeze in to capture the awesomeness that is Chlo the God and Lola Young.
I always prefer a live introduction to new music rather than streaming. I love hearing the grittiness and banter that performers bring to their showmanship.
In-person, Chlo the God, hailing from Fayetteville, North Carolina, presents as this Kelis Kaleidoscope-era Macy Gray love child with Rachel True alburn curls and Destiny Child's curves. She's enticing and powerful, with a military-esque command over the stage. Backed by an all-girl band, she's wild and free—the firey type. She pours her soul out into her words, half tales of intimate relationships and half tales of personal woes, as she gazes into the eager eyes of college girls in the front. It's lovely. Her dimples gleam as she sings "UGOMDN," an acronym for "You Get On My Damn Nerves," and honestly, I feel the song in my bones. It's an anthem. If I hadn't missed the first half of the set, my legs would have probably given out from how low I was crouching to the ground in an effort not to block anyone's view, but I was enamored by what I saw from Chlo's performance. Once I got home, I immediately researched and added songs to my car playlist.
Recommendations:
When Lola Young sang, "What is it about me?" Two girls ran out of the bathroom in each other's arms, sobbing like they were in a pub in southeast London. I had to observe the crowd. In front of the stage, I was surrounded by a group of people. Once I moved to the back, I was surrounded by people slow dancing while chlothegod and friends were hitting the woe near the merch table. I felt like I was at a sock hop. I don't know what it is about British singers' gritty voices or purposeful vocal strain, but it gets the people going. It gets the emotions bubbling, and there is something for everyone. Brown mullet and brown freckles aside, Young's voice is unique. She may be one of the few UK singers whose accent stays when they sing, to my knowledge, and I dig that. She's hilarious, and her personality brings familiarity to her music, even if you have never heard her songs.
I would love to hear a collaboration from her and Remi Wolf. Doppelgänger much?
Recommendations:
