Written by Sophie Wyatt

Leah Cleaver is an East London based artist not confined by genre or labels. With a broad range of contemporary and classic influences, including Channel Tres, Little Simz, Jungle, Nina Simone, Talking Heads, Sly and the Family Stone and more, Leah is able to cohesively blend numerous styles into music that is equal parts moving, personal and enthralling. Leah began her music career gigging around London at various bars and clubs, building a buzz at a grassroots level. During a period in which she inexplicably lost her voice, she began writing music as a way of processing the angst and uncertainty she was experiencing. The affliction led her to develop her signature singing style, leaning into her alto vocal range, delivering her words with a soulful grit. 

Growing up Leah was surrounded by the likes of Ratpakc, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, which started her love of raw, soulful sounds. “It was the first time I’d heart Otis Redding and I think that changed my life,” she explained. “I’d never heard a voice like that it was incredible. And then on the other side of my family it was all Irish rebel music, Luke Kelly and the Dubliners which I loved, I loved all the raw harmonies and stories within these cheeky, but mostly heartbreaking songs.” After feeling so deeply connected to this type of songwriting, Leah moved to London aged 18 and naturally gravitated towards jamming and writing.

A push-and-pull tension beats throughout ‘Last Time’, Leah’s tender vocals detailing a tumultuous relationship characterised by carnal desire. The track’s instrumental mirrors this cat-and-mouse story, pivoting between gentle keys, funky bass and an eruption of rattling guitars, stomping drums and rippling synths. On her debut, Leah is already highlighting herself as an artist with a mastery of various genres, which she playfully weaves together into a sound that is excitingly fresh. Leah went on to explain, “Last time is 11pm on a Thursday night and 20 minutes ago you were in your pj’s but you just got that  from that person so now you’re in an uber looking 12/10 about to have a cheeky night. It’s about being spontaneous and taking ownership in your naughty side, and totally leaning into it!“

While the song takes listeners on a cohesive journey, the chorus brings the song to a whole new level of musical layers. Bringing to life a kind of chaotic energy, the lyrics and sounds become reflective and intertwining. Leah told us that this is very much reflective of the start of relationships. “You’re nervous, excited, you’re changing your outfit 1000 times, you’re scrambling to find your keys and then add the fact that you know this person isn’t exactly marriage material, but the sex is incredible, that’s a whole other dilemma! So I think the chorus captures all of those feelings.” 

Leah’s music is a clear example that artists are taking control of their own sound by introducing new and unexpected layers into it when they feel it suits. Meaning that her music can not be accurately contained within on genre label. She explained to us that she wants people to feel good when they listen to her music, “like really good. I want them to feel good about how gorgeous they look, how they feel, how their body moves when they’re dancing to this music. I want them to feel like them and their friends are the hottest people in the room. Mostly I want QPOC and underserved communities to know this music is for them, and inspired by them. This is their space for them to be seen, held and feel safe in, and everyone outside of that community can Kiki too if they know and advocate for that.”

Aside from creating music, Leah is also a co-founder of the U Gd, Girl? organisation who run monthly events, workshops and discussion circles for women and non-binary people, creating an open dialogue to explore issues including women’s health, setting boundaries, love languages, body image and more. Perfectly intertwining with her personality and the stories behind many of her songs, Leah spoke enthusiastically about the platform, saying “it’s a space for women and non-binary people to come together to discuss different topics that we think people can sometimes struggle talking to their friends and family with, so this is a space for them to enter a judgement free, safe space and share their stories that we can all learn from, we do healing circles, educational sessions as well as “werkshops” that include self defence classes, “boddy oddy oddy” photo shoots and events showcasing some of London’s best musicians and performers which we run monthly in East London.” 

Looking towards the future, Leah told us that there is more experimenting and “different flavours” to come. Keeping her fans on the edge of her seat, as ever, we can’t wait to see what her upcoming EP has in store for us.

You can listen to Leah’s latest single ‘Get You Home‘ now on Spotify.