Chicago-based artist LEON FREAR presents a riveting debut single, ‘Secret Second Moon’, along with a fantastic comic strip-styled video by French animator Ronald Grandpey.
Previewing his debut album ‘Wild Rice’, this reflects a dramatic period in which he experienced a life-altering love affair, its implosion and aftermath, followed by a decade of reflection and changes. Informed by his own personal experience, Frear’s music speaks of love, lust, broken promises, broken phones, and multiple incinerated bridges.
A seasoned musician, this album represents a new start for him under this moniker. He shares, “I picked up my belongings, changed my name and moved to Chicago. I just wanted to get lost in the crowd. It took a decade to get sober, restore my health, sanity and put together enough equipment to make this record. Wild Rice is the story of those times, but told in reflection. The songs came from a place of true grief, regret and a little bit of anger… Ultimately, I think it is an album about empathy.”
Sonically, I was inspired to make Wild Rice while listening to old Leonard Cohen albums, Harvest by Neil Young, Stories from the City by PJ Harvey and lots of old ballads by Nick Cave. Those albums and artists sound weary and world worn and I did my best to capture a similar feeling.
Laced with hints of sadness and regret, anger and remorse, somehow the lyrics are tempered with a sardonic wit that leaves the listener wondering if Frear doesn’t secretly savor feeling bad, just for laughs. If there’s an opportunity to mock an uncaring universe, this is an opportunity Frear doesn’t let go to waste.
Dubbing his brand of post-alternative music “vocabulary rock”, Frear aims to shift the emphasis away from the man and towards the music and lyrics, while inviting the listener to commiserate together through this exploration of grief, depression and sadness.
As of November 21, ‘Secret Second Moon” is out album will be available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The ‘Wild Rice’ album will be released – on vinyl and digitally – on February 2, 2024.
TRACK LIST
01. A Town Called Chapel
02. A Morning House
03. She Fed Me Water
04. A Morning Waltz
05. Secret Second Moon
06. A Harvestman
07. A Murder of Crows
08. Foie Gras
09. Sweet Dreams Say Goodbye
10. Drowning Horses
Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music