The instrumentation is quietly intricate, with bright acoustic guitars tied up in brisk drum patterns, and all give way to a buoyant rhythm that conveys some of early 2000s indie folk's most blissful moments. But don't mistake its laid-back vibes for placidity, as beneath the tranquility is depth. LÉO's lyrics clearly come from a place of introspection, heartache, and the human experience. The arrangement ebbs and swells at the correct times, hinting at a deeper understanding of dynamics and mood. But before stepping into the spotlight, LÉO has been working behind the scenes with artists such as MIRE, NIKSEAMOUR, THÉRÈSE, and the Parisian label MATIÈRE PRODUCTION.
Her songwriting has a weathered quality, and her sound is slick but un-overproduced. There's still a rawness, an edge, that betrays her indie underpinnings, and this dissonance makes "What You Do" so fascinating. As a first taste of her forthcoming EP, "What You Do" is a self-assured and earnest opening statement. LÉO comes in on material, which you know you should wet your lips and remember. Whether you're daydreaming on the beach in some far-off place where the waves crash or simply need a song that feels like home, LÉO's debut might be exactly what you never knew you were missing.