How Mount Wilson and Calabasas roads fueled Don Toliver’s new album, ‘Octane’

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Don Toliver found inspiration for his new album, “Octane,” at the Mount Wilson Observatory near Los Angeles. It wasn’t the landscape itself, but the observatory’s unique collection of white domes and solar towers that sparked his creativity and motivated him to start making music. He says the site truly “ignited” his desire to create.

I was really struck by something Caleb Toliver said recently. He explained that being an astronomer, patiently waiting for a planet to appear, is surprisingly similar to his creative process. He feels like making music is about sitting with an idea, waiting for that spark – a feeling or a sign – to finally emerge and make everything click. It’s about that moment of understanding and connection he gets when it finally happens.

The 31-year-old singer, who’s always been interested in space, describes making his fifth album as feeling like falling into a “black hole.” But instead of being overwhelmed, he focused on creating something completely new. He says that with his album, “Octane,” he wanted to fully immerse himself in his art and trust his instincts. He even playfully suggests he created a sound so unique that it would be impossible for artificial intelligence to copy.

A year and a half ago, the Texas-based artist released his fourth album, “Hardstone Psycho,” which explored biker culture through a grunge lens. Now, with his new album “Octane,” he’s again focused on things with wheels – but this time, he’s moved from motorcycles to cars. Toliver, who has been fascinated with cars since his teenage years, uses this passion to fuel his musical creativity. He explains that connecting his music to the world of cars is something he’s been working towards for a long time.

The phone call happened shortly after he and his team transported his racing Audi, decorated with an “Octane” theme, to the roof of the Los Angeles Times parking garage for a photoshoot. It was a typical sunny January day, and Toliver wore a striking all-white outfit that stood out against the car’s bright yellow color. Throughout the shoot, he remained calm and watchful, carefully monitoring his vehicle.

Toliver described the feeling of starting his album as being completely immersive, like stepping into a video game or another world. He explained that when he begins playing the first song, especially while driving, he feels energized and powerful, even comparing himself to Tom Cruise.

He says that whenever he listens to the album, he particularly enjoys driving the same route: from the 118 to the 5, and then down to the 101. He’s done this so often it’s become a habit.

Music

I’m really excited about Kehlani’s new song, ‘Folded’ – it feels like a huge moment for her! She’s been building her career for a while now, and she’s shared that she really feels like this track could be the one to finally launch her into the mainstream. As a fan, I totally get why she feels that way – it’s a standout song!

The album kicks off with “E85,” a track where energetic guitar work and a hidden sample from Malcolm Todd’s “Chest Pain (I Love)” accompany reflections on a past relationship. While not every song is about cars, driving or the feeling of speed is woven throughout the album, either through direct lyrics or the driving rhythm of the music.

His music features plenty of references to car culture. For example, the energetic track “Gemstone” nods to the “Fast and Furious” movies, while “ATM” gives a shout-out to a Range Rover. On “Excavator,” he raps about being drunk but responsible, set to a playful beat. The song “Octane” is particularly dynamic, with its surprising beat changes and layered sounds creating a feeling similar to a skilled driver navigating a challenging turn.

Don Toliver’s new 17-song album showcases his musical range, combining trap and R&B with electronic elements. Staying true to his style, the album details his energetic nightlife and lavish lifestyle. However, beneath the catchy samples, moody synths, and upbeat trap beats, Toliver also reveals a more personal side, sharing glimpses of his loving relationship with Kali Uchis and a sense of inner peace he’s found.

Toliver explained that he gained more self-confidence. He noted that when working on creative projects, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by outside opinions and questions, but ultimately, the solution often comes from within your own instincts and vision.

Toliver gained widespread attention after appearing on Travis Scott’s influential 2018 album, Astroworld. Their collaboration on the track “Can’t Say” – a catchy, atmospheric song with a dark trap beat and heavy use of autotune – introduced Toliver to a large audience. Many listeners compared his style to the early work of artists like T-Pain and Akon, and were eager to hear more of his music.

After the success of his single “Can’t Say,” Don Toliver released his first album, “Heaven or Hell,” in March 2020. While the world went into lockdown due to COVID-19, Toliver’s album gained popularity online, with several songs and dances becoming viral hits. This quick success on TikTok, combined with collaborations with artists like Metro Boomin and Justin Bieber, quickly established Toliver as a prominent figure in the music scene.

Toliver explained that he had to push forward, no matter the challenges. He felt he needed to adapt and keep up, even if he wasn’t fully prepared or things were moving quickly. He acknowledged it had taken a lot of effort to reach this moment.

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The singer looks back on his career, from his beginnings as a young performer to becoming a leading figure in R&B. He also discusses the impact of his album ‘Mutt’ and why having real musicians playing live is still important, even with the rise of artificial intelligence.

Toliver always felt he could sing, even before he became famous. Growing up, his family exposed him to a wide range of music, from the 1960s to the early 2000s. He remembers perfectly recreating R&B songs like Chris Brown’s “Yo (Excuse me Miss),” hitting all the right notes, and imitating the performers he saw on “Soul Train.”

Toliver explained that he believed he had the same potential as his peers, but needed time to figure out how to achieve it. He said he learned as he went along.

Toliver doesn’t spend much time looking back on the past, recalling a difficult upbringing where he struggled financially. His song “Long Way To Calabasas,” from the album “Octane,” reflects on his journey from those early days in Houston to his current success. The song begins with simple guitar and gentle vocals, expressing his newfound peace and happiness.

Toliver explained that achieving genuine peace and happiness comes from self-acceptance and feeling comfortable in your own skin. He sees his success as a result of hard work, but believes true fulfillment isn’t about material possessions. Instead, he emphasized that good health and inner peace are the most important things in life – that’s what really matters.

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2026-01-30 14:02