LEAONE

With fair comparisons having been drawn to Johnny Cash and Elliot Smith, alongside the definite hints of The National’s Matt Berninger and Crash Test Dummies’ Brad Roberts in his bass-heavy vocal, Leaone is in good company.

With emotional, melancholy lyrics and dramatic, heavy hitting production, ‘Young Green Eyes’ recounts, with heart-on-sleeve resignation, what remains when someone you care about leaves your life.

The track it seems, was written after a pretty tough period in Leaone’s life and knowing that adds an additional layer to it, one of catharsis and healing, as if the creation of ‘Young Green Eyes’ was a major step towards dealing with, and overcoming what had happened.

It isn’t however, just some grim and inward looking serenade to lost love – it’s actually full of interesting lyrical and musical ideas produced in a sympathetic way that adds power and dynamic contrast to some strong songwriting.

After a sought after premiere in Clash magazine, It’ll be really interesting to see what Leaone does next.

Tip by Ian Johnson at Access to Music