Browsing Tag

Leifer

New York’s alt-soul pioneer Leifer lets the good vibes groove next to heartbreak in his funk-laced indie synthpop single, Vacancy

Posted on 2 January 2022

It was impossible to imagine room for improvement after hearing Leifer’s standout single, Say You’re Mine, in 2021. Yet, his latest release, Vacancy, which hit the airwaves on New Year’s Eve, even caught us broadsided by the way it pulls you down with mellow tones in the intro and brings you back up fast enough to give you whiplash.

Vacancy starts by teasing serenity in the easy, hazy guitar chords before bursting into a high-vibe alt-indie pop track, complete with euphoric synths, funk riding basslines and vocals that make an earworm out of the release.

Despite the vibrant energy, Vacancy forces you to reflect on the spaces that we leave other people’s lives, while the high-energy progressions ensure that you don’t get caught up in rumination. We can only hope that Leifer starts a trend with his meaningful approach to pop. If there’s one thing that this world needs more of, it is self-awareness, and Leifer’s emotionally intelligent lyrics offer the perfect mantras to follow.

Vacancy is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Leave Behind: Leifer knows he needs to make a change on ‘Black and Blue’

Posted on 6 June 2021

With his much-anticipated album ‘Ahead From Where We Came‘ on its way soon, Leifer carefully sends us such an introspective gem that will have you turning this all the way up with ‘Black and Blue‘.

Leifer (pronounced Lifer) is an acclaimed New York City-based alt-soul solo artist, multi-instrumentalist and freestyler. He makes that riveting type of music that catches you off guard at first, and he sizzles so smoothly in your speaker that you might need to listen twice.

”Ranging from delicate ballads to euphoric alt-soul anthems, the album aims to explore the relationship between mental health and love as the protagonist forges through the highs and lows of depression and anxiety through the lens of his relationships.” – Leifer

His voice is such a pleasure on the previously battered earlobes, as he shares such an incredibly intimate real story of a relationship that went sadly array, as the walls closed in and you felt like you needed to move on. The mellow tone is sensually caring, as he sings lovingly with such clarity on a riff that is rather sweet and tender. You feel the regret in his voice as he wanted the love to last forever – but knows that he needs to work on himself first for that to happen- if its not too late.

‘Black and Blue‘ from the much-respected New York indie alt-soul solo artist Leifer, is that story where you wish the page could go back in time, as the communication broke down like a tired car and caused you to hit rock bottom. Sometimes life is there to teach you things and humble you up – other times its just plain harsh – and shows you that we can only control, what we can control.

Stream this top song on Spotify and check out the IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Fresh Start: Leifer only wants them to grow together on ‘You (Everything I Do)’

Posted on 8 April 2021

With so much new-found self-awareness flowing rapidly into his lungs as he passionately calls for their love to be so much stronger than it has been lately, Leifer conveys his feelings to his partner that he is only here for the long-term on ‘You (Everything I Do)‘.

Leifer is a wandering Kinderhook, New York-based indie pop singer-songwriter and storyteller, who sings with so much conviction and growing maturity as he finds his true identity in this complex world, with many puzzles awaiting to be solved.

He sings with such flowing sureness that this is it, he is ready for more and the past is in the past. The core isn’t broken yet and wants to make this happen.

The harmonious melodies keep you intrigued like a neatly wrapped present that is almost ready to be opened — you think you know what it is but aren’t 100% sure — as the mystery keeps you locked into the picture, of what it actually is.

‘You (Everything I Do)‘ from the emerging Kinderhook, NY solo artist Leifer, draws us into the story of wanting to prove that he is indeed the real deal and a royal flush. The hope is that his partner gets it soon, otherwise he will be left wondering if it was even worth all the effort and time spent, building up trust and love in the first place.

Hear this new sweetly textured single on Soundcloud and check out the IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Leifer brought the James Dean appeal to indie blues pop with their latest single ‘Say You’re Mine’

Posted on 17 February 2021

Leifer may be just one of the artists bringing blues into the mainstream by packaging it into sweet accessible alt-indie soundscapes, but the amorously archaic kick behind the grooves in his latest single, ‘Say You’re Mine’ hit like no other.

I’m not even sure if James Dean himself could have proclaimed to be as smooth as this melodically-crafted, funk-layered feat of deeply sensual neo-soul. The sense of intimacy seems to breathe through the polished production which finds the perfect balance between modernity and aural nostalgia. If you can imagine what the male equivalent to Amy Winehouse would sound like, you can get an idea of what is in store once you hit play.

Say You’re Mine is available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast