This is the debut EP from Samantha Leon. It's an intriguing set of music. It has a lot of variety. Yet somehow it does feel just a little monolithic. It's not anything that's going to take away from the enjoyment. It just seems to prevent some of the songs from really standing as tall as they should. It should be noted that this does earn a couple parental advisories on the lyrics.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2017 Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Bright Yellow Shoes (No Turbulence Mix)
A dramatic symphonic sound opens this. The cut works forward from there with both a folk sensibility and some definitely soulful sounds to the vocals. The music on this is a bit on the odd side, but it's the vocals that sell it anyway.
High (You Only Love Me When You’re F***ed Up)
I can make out a good chunk of jazz sound on the music to this tune. The cut has a cool sound. The vocals are again the selling point here. They have a lot of soul sound. As you can guess, this gets some parental warnings for the lyrics.
Run Away
This has more of a rocking groove to it. It's energetic and compelling. The cut is one of the best here. I love the vocal performance, but I'm equally crazy about the music. The tune is just so classy. There is some noteworthy bass work in some of the jamming later in this piece.
Perfect (Featuring Danny Matos)
The percussion is prominent on this tune. The number is another with some definite jazz elements. It does get a parental advisory for the lyrics, too. This is one of the better cuts here. This includes a full on rap later in the track. It's a nice touch.
Hello, Goodbye
Based heavily on piano, this is a mellow balladic number. It's slow moving and pretty, but there is a lot of soul built into it.
Bright Yellow Shoes
The same symphonic elements that started the other version begin this one. The cut works to more of a mainstream folk rock styled arrangement from there, though. I liked the other version, but I think this is even stronger.
Glad/Sober (Live)
This is a mellower and quite pretty tune. It has a piano dominated musical arrangement, but there is some guitar here, too. I think Leon's vocals are the strongest on this tune of anything here. Perhaps she excels in live performance.
