‘Kings County’ (6th October 2023) is the debut album from Suffolk-based dark alt-pop artist Leaone (‘Lee-Own’), written and recorded in Brooklyn, NY with Lana Del Rey‘s longstanding band mate Tom Marsh and mixed by Abe Seiferth (Nation of Language, Yeasayer) at Transmitter Park Studio in Greenpoint.
Described by CLASH Magazine as “Emotionally downbeat but completely gripping”, early singles drew heady comparisons with the likes of Johnny Cash, Elliot Smith and The National, along with radio support from Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1), Jo Whiley (BBC Radio 2), Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music) and Chris Hawkins (BBC 6 Music).
With musical inspiration ranging from Lykke Li, Lana and Sevdaliza through hip-hop and classic film scores to the gothic balladry of Cohen, Cave and Cash, the album is now a bittersweet listen for Leaone, written and recorded at the height of a deeply passionate relationship which subsequently foundered.
Despite its brooding, introspective feel, much of the album is lyrically upbeat with its fair share of love songs, as the artist and his then girlfriend walk hand-in-hand on Manhattan’s High Line (Kings County), live the Riviera high life (Monaco) and relish the beauty of falling in love despite the corresponding vulnerability it brings (Prairie Fires). Elsewhere, themes of positivity stem from a desire not to take life for granted (Seventh Heaven), the ‘you got this’ encouragement Leaone received from native New Yorkers during his time there (4th of July), and the need to stay true to your own path and personality when others try to change or criticize you (666 and Grave Rave).
Darker motifs have their place here too, Leaone addressing bereavement grief (Heroine) and the seedy late-night underbelly of many cities around the world (Sin City). The latter almost missed the cut, with the artist feeling far outside his comfort zone both musically and lyrically as the song developed, but Bowie’s theory that “If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area” inspired him to finish a track which is now one of his personal favourites.
As someone often beset with self-doubt, it wasn’t an easy decision to release this soul-baring musical snapshot of a particular period in his life where there was no Hollywood ending, but Leaone has found his voice. With the follow-up album already demo’d, making music now feels intrinsic to his very existence, the way he communicates with the world, and the way he’s able (more comfortably) to express feelings and emotions. Without it, he concedes he’d be in a very dark and lonely place so, as an artist, he’s here to stay: “Are you ready for me yet?”
