[ALBUM REVIEW] LEO's MUSE

ALBUM REVIEW BY KEELEY BURRIDGE

It seems it was only yesterday that Leo of VIXX made his solo debut. CANVAS turned out to be an album of experimentation, a chance to prove his singing prowess and diverse song-writing skills. If nothing else, MUSE picks up on this thread and runs with it, giving Leo yet more space to find his own voice. The title works well in that regard. Whether it is interpreted as music being his muse, or giving the listeners a muse through his music, this is an album that has had a great deal of love an attention poured into it, from the first track to the last.

That first being ‘Romanticism’, the title track. With an ethereal and almost chill first verse, layered with synths and trap percussion, it lures the listening into a false sense of security. Not that this is a bad thing. In doing this, the chorus takes on a heavier beat despite not having anything close to a beat drop. The faster pace of the lyrics picks up the rhythm, with a post chorus that has a memorable little riff to hum along to. The structure is somewhat more straightforward than previous single ‘Touch and Sketch.’ Yet the low key sensuality from that track remains, albeit in a slightly more reformed format. This is certainly a song that’s easier to dance to and knows how to use it’s pace and rhythms well, alternating between them to give the verses, chorus and bridge distinct feels without resulting in any jarring transitions. It does play it a little safe in that regard. ‘Romanticism’ furthers the style that Leo is chasing as a soloist, but perhaps sticks to it too faithfully at times.

‘This About to Happen’ follows in the same vein. However, it’s a solid showcase for the vocals that Leo is so good with. A powerful, almost soaring chorus is heightened by the soft yet strong tone of his voice, and directly contrasts the low, quiet follow up of a rap by Dynamic Duo’s Choiza. The airy feeling of the chorus also allows for the verses to feel closer, more intimate. There’s a longing feeling to the lyrics, the tempo never picking up, remaining steady throughout but never dragging. Choiza’s feature fits far better than expected, and it may have been nice to see it extended a little. Some harmonies between the two would have been great, adding more depth to the light chorus. This is the kind of song to dissolve into; calm yet engaging enough that there’s no fear of being distracted. It doesn’t feel as though it drags on. Rather, it stops just as the chorus becomes repetitive, allowing for it to be memorable yet avoiding a trap that a lot of RnB slow tracks can fall into.

‘Nostalgia’, on the other hand, is unapologetically a ballad. And it can’t be denied that Leo’s voice matches beautifully with a good ballad. This one begins with soft piano, guided simply by this and Leo’s breathy vocals. The violins than enter after the first chorus. These lift the song, giving it a greater feeling of scope, which is once again amplified by Leo. His high notes a strong and confident. Never do they sound strained, but stand in beautiful contrast to the softness his voice achieves in the verses. It gives the entire track a lovely range and keeps it interesting, as well as emotionally powerful. A simple yet effective track.

When ‘Tight’ comes in following this, it might just take the listener by surprise. All funky low bass until the pre-chorus, which acts as a great build up, the chorus evolves the sound of the verses. Dropping back to the low bass influence for the chorus is a great misdirect yet doesn’t feel unsatisfying due to the nature of the rhythm and heavier beat. In fact, this is arguably the highlight throughout the whole track. Little percussive additions such as a quiet click in the second verse add to the effect. The second chorus even delays the return of the beat for a bar and a piano enters during the bridge. All this small surprises add up to a laid back yet addicting track.

Coming to the song the album takes its name from, ‘MUSE’ slows it back down for another piano ballad. Layers build over this, with gentle guitar at first, then drums. Nothing is over done here. It sounds far more indie influenced than any of Leo’s previous work, yet once again, his voice is well suited. Versatile despite its unique sound, Leo plays into the floaty, high tones of his vocals here, making for a very sweet overall sound. The song builds in intensity suitably throughout, never pushing for something more than it is. It’s not the most original song, but it’s emotive and pleasant to listen to. Leo once again proves that genres aren’t limiting to him.

The final track comes in the form of an unexpected collaboration. When Leo posted on Instagram about his love for the music of German artist Maximilian Hacker, not many would have guessed it would lead to a song like this. But indeed it did, and what a good thing that was. ‘The Flower’ is undeniably in Hecker’s style, which makes perfect sense considering he wrote it before offering to work on it with Leo. Piano leads, with Leo vocals restrained and almost lazy in delivery, the softness contrasting nicely with the clarity of the piano. When a beat does come in, it’s a slow, low echo of a thing that introduces the chorus. The verse Maximilian takes following this fits in so well despite the shift in language. It ends on an unfinished note, as hauntingly pretty as the rest of the song. For a pairing of artists that seemed so unlikely, the styles match almost perfectly. Hopefully this is not the last we’ll see of the duo working together.