We Speak Music

leo.’s ‘december blues’ – A Winter’s Tale Told in Melody

Published

5 months ago

November 19, 2024

Winter can be both a season of beauty and longing, and singer-songwriter leo. captures this duality perfectly in his latest single, december blues. Released today, the track is a stirring ballad steeped in acoustic intimacy, indie charm, and vintage holiday aesthetics. It’s a song that invites listeners to embrace the complexities of winter through the lens of love and connection.

Inspired by his move from Portugal to the UK, leo. brings a deeply personal touch to the song. “The winters in Portugal were never harsh,” he shares, “but here in the UK, I encountered the true ‘December blues.’ This track became my way of expressing how love can transform that coldness into warmth.” His duet with Chevy adds a layer of emotional depth, turning the song into a dialogue of solace and shared experience.

The song’s production is nothing short of mesmerizing. Alistair Kerley’s lush string arrangements and Nico Widdowson’s jazz piano evoke a bygone era, paying homage to the rich musical traditions of the 1940s and 50s. Producer Ed Allen, known for his ability to merge classic and modern elements, polishes December Blues into a piece that is both nostalgic and contemporary.

leo. continues to build an impressive résumé. His single despair has surpassed 43 million streams, and his recent EP earned recognition in Clash magazine. With rave reviews from Backseat Mafia and Earmilk, leo.’s rise in the indie singer-songwriter world feels inevitable. december blues is a testament to his ability to consistently create music that resonates deeply.

Poignant, evocative, and beautifully crafted, december blues is a track that will undoubtedly find its place in winter playlists everywhere. leo. invites us to find warmth in love and music, even when the days are at their coldest.

We Speak Music

Waz-u drops ambient gem ‘Vermillion’ ft. Lilyg

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2025

Don Reed

London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.

Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’

‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.

Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.