Leeray : Semicircle
Leeray
Semicircle
Dubbing his work “Dream R n’ B’, young upstart vocalist Leeray has been at it for a couple of singles, with a brand of downcast, soulful crooning. But although the 808-friendly stylings of his previous work helped him blend into the company of his R'n'B contemporaries, his success at conjuring the ‘dream’ part of gimmick has definitely been mixed – with much of his chosen stylings overpowering his vocal presence, while also watering down the distinctiveness of his pop music. With Semicircle, however, he finally finds himself in the ballpark of hypnagogic atmosphere, weaving a fever-dream-like ode commiserating unrealised potential and celebrating newfound strength.
Opening with an attention-arresting beat topped with whipping snares and conga layers, arpeggiating, harp-like synths introduce a reverberating, dreamy haze that serves as wonderful bedrock for his verses. With the cloudy sonic haze dripping with personality, he finds a winning formula by toning back, giving Semicircle a newfound effortlessness that delivers in spades. Simplicity is key when riding such tasteful production, and he largely understands this this time round. Delivering subdued, feathery verses that balance a self-effacing attitude with resigned realism, the result is a deliciously queer slow jam perfect for self-reflective nights alone – and easily way more evocative than any of his previous singles.
Unfortunately, the vocals are also placed a tad awkwardly too high in the mix – but it does also give it a charming home-made quality. “Eyes on the prizes/I been getting wiser/you say what you want with the cap on,” he proclaims in an affirming refrain – and on a parade of shuffling hats and snares, smeared with tastefully lush key harmonies, the result is a song close to a wonderfully intimate microportrait of his own growth towards self-belief. It’s still very much work in progress to a full moon – but as far as Leeray’s melodies on Semicircle goes, it’s a winner through simplicity. Or as he puts it, done wasting time on bullshit.
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