OFFICIAL: http://www.samanthaleonmusic.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/samleon_music
Video Teaser: https://youtu.be/v5I3R_SURcg
Written
by Lance Wright, posted by blog admin
Get
ready for this because Samantha Leon will be around for a long time to come.
Few new singer/songwriters in recent years have emerged with such an unguarded,
powerhouse approach to their art while still retaining a pop accessibility that
allows even casual listeners to enjoy the performances. It’s a neat balancing
trick and, certainly, a rare skill. Her voice is suggestive of much and gives
the lyrical content an added charm and sophistication that it already
possesses. Her passion is revealed, if nothing else, by the fact she believed
in herself and this project enough that it is funded through a Kickstarter
campaign, but it goes beyond that – the fact that an artist without any official
release yet has inspired those fans who have seen her to contribute their hard
earned money in an effort to help her be noticed. She will certainly be noticed
by many more after this effort.
She
begins the EP with the track “Bright Yellow Shoes (No Turbulence Mix)” and the
sparse stylishness of the song gives Leon ample room to move and exhibit her
emotive talents. The soulfulness is apparent, but there’s apparent stylishness running
through every line. Guitar plays an underrated role on this EP and its contributions
get off to an equally fine start with this song. It takes a more compositional
approach than you might expect and plays nicely against the drumming. Her
lyrical aplomb comes through immediately as well. The same interplay between
guitar and percussion comes through on the track “High (You Only Love Me When
You’re Fu*ked Up)”, but it’s her ability as a vocalist that shines through and
she conveys the rather blunt and bitter comedy of the song with an equal amount
of heartbreak creeping through into her vocal. Two songs in on this EP and Leon
shows herself to be a rare talent with awesome pop chops, accessibility shining
through on every turn, and enough sensitivity to often lay her heart bear without
ever making listeners feel like they are eavesdropping on something intensely
personal and private.
“Run
Away” is one of two songs on the release stretching over the five minute mark
and this song specifically goes well over six minutes. It’s quite a ride
nonetheless and the best song on this EP. The beauty of this performance
benefits greatly from the instrumental presence, particularly the guitars, but
the real center of this song is Leon’s lyric and her adroit balance between
anger and pain. “Perfect” takes things in a different direction. It’s an
acoustic song with a strong hip hop influence courtesy of guest vocalist Danny
Matos. His voice strikes a great contrast with Leon’s and the juxtaposition helps
makes this one of the EP’s more memorable numbers. “Hello, Goodbye” is another
heartbroken tale that comes at a great spot on the release following the
previous two numbers. The beauty of these songs comes, largely, from the fact
that a world class singer/songwriter has no reservations about standing face to
face with the personal revelations at the heart of each composition and fills
their measure. Samantha Leon is a thrilling talent sure to be with us for many
years to come.
Grade:
A+
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