No matter where you go, you cannot avoid where you are from. Being native to southern California, Mark Raven had to write about it. He finished the transformation from alternative folk to electro alternative that he started with his previous album, Crush. West Coast is drenched in fuzz, electronic brush strokes and regret, with added elements of pop punk (Poolside, Runway) and hip hop (Fine Lies, Calling). West Coast balances out the melancholy with vibrancy (Silver Lake, Sunset Beach), sheer beauty (Coastal Afterlife), and even some fun (Monrovia). At times, Raven’s characteristic warmth shows through, especially on second to final track, Hotel Paper. Raven has spent more time being messed than enjoying life, more hours spent on vices than good times. In West Coast, it suddenly hit him, and resulting lyrics quickly turned into songs. He spent 3 months the studio with friend/producer Sarah Rose, filling the studio with guitars and synths. West Coast is a new era of Mark Raven.