An ambient tale eloquently spelled out in verse and propelled dynamically in song. Leon O’Leary conjures his nearest Damien Rice impression and showcases his fluid vocal in Stray Dogs, a telling of the hardships of the working class. This melodic, singer-songwriter’s style is playfully fused with his unique approach to storytelling that so eloquently defines his music.
I love the ambiance and cinematic delivery in the song; the frolicking guitar lead is a playful reminder of the passion that comes through in his subdued, folky lyrics. The gift of Sylvia Daley’s vocal to the track is perfectly timed, and a nice accompaniment to Leon’s full vocal sound.
This Suffolk singer-songwriter has been sharing tunes with us for some time now. Featured on BBC Introducing Suffolk, and noted for his live performance, Leon is definitely worth keeping a pulse on.