EP REVIEW: LEO C - BIG MAN EP
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Leo C
Big Man EP
EP Review
19/03/20
🎸
Big Man EP
EP Review
19/03/20
🎸
Occasionally, perhaps twice a year, we'll find an artist that rescues our faith in originality and restores our trust in music. It could be the rapper you'd never given a chance, a gift from the rather tentative YouTube algorithm, or a suggestion from your barber; wherever they're discovered, the artist will surprise you so pleasantly that they'll find a comfortable spot in your listening rotation. From there, you'll binge their entire discography until you're desperately awaiting a new release. My most recent discovery, from Instagram, is just that artist. Confidently fusing some of my favourite genres, Leo C brings a brighter, folkier, rock 'n' roll to Big Man EP and comfortably combines it with elements of blues, ska and glam rock. It's impressive to say the least.
With the voice of a livelier Brandon Flowers, the confidence of a much kinder Morrissey and the chords of a more sophisticated King Krule, the Southend-on-Sea singer-songwriter's latest EP will satisfy all of your musical needs and leave you wanting more. The four tracks from his most recent project are all equally as magical as the next, each with a new, excitingly catchy chorus. The first three songs are delivered with textured riffs that lighten Leo's bold vocals, and smooth out any rough edges that can often come as a result of using more complicated chord voicings. But, it's clear that Leo doesn't want us to be too comfortable; two distinct key changes within the EP keep us on our toes, lifting our experience to much more than easy-listening.
Yet, above all this, the most impressive trait of Leo's songwriting is in his maturity. It's rare for an artist so early in their career to rely on experiences other than romance as a source of inspiration. Of course, the occasional line will allude to a relationship, but it doesn't drown the song; instead, the odd romantic reference will remind us that Leo C is human after all. For example, the extensively relatable pre-chorus on Go Away, 'Will we keep in touch? You know I can't blame us much', adds a refreshingly human direction to the song's narrative. Much of Big Man EP's lyrical content focuses on introspective thoughts and observations, with the closing track manifesting this with a sad, comedic observation, sang over an acoustic ska progression. It may take a while to understand what's going on in Leo C's head, but it'll be more than worth it.
With the voice of a livelier Brandon Flowers, the confidence of a much kinder Morrissey and the chords of a more sophisticated King Krule, the Southend-on-Sea singer-songwriter's latest EP will satisfy all of your musical needs and leave you wanting more. The four tracks from his most recent project are all equally as magical as the next, each with a new, excitingly catchy chorus. The first three songs are delivered with textured riffs that lighten Leo's bold vocals, and smooth out any rough edges that can often come as a result of using more complicated chord voicings. But, it's clear that Leo doesn't want us to be too comfortable; two distinct key changes within the EP keep us on our toes, lifting our experience to much more than easy-listening.
Yet, above all this, the most impressive trait of Leo's songwriting is in his maturity. It's rare for an artist so early in their career to rely on experiences other than romance as a source of inspiration. Of course, the occasional line will allude to a relationship, but it doesn't drown the song; instead, the odd romantic reference will remind us that Leo C is human after all. For example, the extensively relatable pre-chorus on Go Away, 'Will we keep in touch? You know I can't blame us much', adds a refreshingly human direction to the song's narrative. Much of Big Man EP's lyrical content focuses on introspective thoughts and observations, with the closing track manifesting this with a sad, comedic observation, sang over an acoustic ska progression. It may take a while to understand what's going on in Leo C's head, but it'll be more than worth it.
Finding an artist is always an exciting process, old or new, but catching them when they're just starting out it's even better. Leo C's latest single, Is That The Case? was yet another release to make us think, 'How has this not been written before?'; be sure check it out after you've finished Big Man EP.
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