Joseph Nevels’ How’s LA is more than just a song—it’s a soulful, guitar-driven confession that perfectly encapsulates the contradictions of chasing your dreams in Los Angeles. The track dives deep into the internal struggle of someone striving for success in the City of Angels while balancing the weight of personal and familial expectations. It’s the kind of honest reflection that resonates with anyone who’s ever had to fake a smile while working through unspoken challenges.
Anyone who’s ever moved to LA with hopes of stardom or success knows the pressure that comes with the city’s glitzy exterior. However, Nevels isn’t interested in romanticizing this dream; instead, he offers an authentic take on the ups and downs of building a life in the city of palm trees.
The song opens with gentle guitar strums that feel like California sunshine—soft, warm, and inviting. But there’s a sense of restraint beneath the surface, as if Nevels is measuring his words carefully, aware that the reality of LA isn’t as shiny as its promises. This is no fairy tale. It’s a personal story of grappling with the tension between ambition and the harsh truths that often come with pursuing your dreams.
When asked, “How’s LA?” most people tend to reply with something like “Living the dream,” even when that dream is often more complicated than it appears. Nevels captures this perfectly with the line, “Truth be told, it’s cool, I can’t complain.” His soft, measured vocals convey a sense of ease, but beneath the calm exterior, there’s an undercurrent of struggle—a quiet acknowledgment of the tension between his aspirations and the reality of life in a city that never stops demanding more.
This sentiment is something that anyone who’s ever struggled to make it in a big city can relate to. It’s the internal conflict of sending a message about how great things are while eating cheap ramen in an overpriced apartment. Nevels doesn’t shy away from this contradiction, allowing his music to mirror the complex emotions that come with chasing dreams while dealing with the day-to-day pressures of life.
In How’s LA, the guitar plays a key role in shaping the song’s intimate, confessional tone. It’s not just an instrument—it becomes a character in itself, helping to narrate the emotional landscape of the song. The strumming feels delicate and deliberate, mirroring the vulnerability in Nevels’ voice.
As he sings about the frenetic drive for success in LA, the guitar shifts in tone, rising and falling with his confessions. It adds another layer to the story, almost like the city itself is echoing Nevels’ internal dialogue—the constant push and pull between dreams and doubts. This dynamic guitar work highlights Nevels’ ability to blend musicianship with storytelling, making the song feel like an ongoing conversation with the listener.
One of the most poignant aspects of How’s LA is Nevels’ exploration of the balance between personal dreams and family expectations. Lines like “I got kin back home, they count on me” reveal the weight of responsibility he feels toward his family, who likely see LA as the place where their loved one is supposed to succeed. The pressure to make them proud and meet their expectations hangs over him, even as he grapples with his own doubts and realities.
Nevels doesn’t shy away from this duality. He captures the inner conflict of wanting to honor those familial ties while also navigating his own path. It’s a beautifully understated moment that many listeners, especially those balancing dreams with obligations, will find deeply relatable.
How’s LA isn’t your typical song about Hollywood glamour or the endless pursuit of fame. Instead, it’s a refreshingly honest look at the challenges and contradictions of life in a city where dreams can either be realized or shattered. Nevels captures that feeling of sending a group chat update—proud but too scared to admit fear, too honest to pretend everything is perfect. It’s the perfect soundtrack for anyone working toward something big while quietly carrying the weight of uncertainty.
Joseph Nevels’ How’s LA is a deeply personal and introspective track that speaks to anyone trying to navigate the balance between ambition, family expectations, and the realities of life in a city full of promise but also full of struggle. His soulful vocals, paired with understated yet evocative guitar work, create an intimate atmosphere that pulls listeners into his world.
This is a song that doesn’t just capture the LA experience; it captures the universal experience of chasing dreams while remaining grounded in the complexities of life. How’s LA proves that Nevels is not just a talented artist, but one who is unafraid to tell his story with honesty and heart