When we opened the floodgates of submissions, we knew we would get a very diverse wave of music landing in our inbox. Today, I’m reviewing a brutal, self-deprecating and bittersweet single by Leonny O, a submission that has caught me off guard and is well deserved of a deeper listen.

Full disclosure here: This review will go on to discuss how Leonny O is very talented writer. This stems beyond her music, and I’m very excited to announce she will be joining the IAAS Music team as a content writer! So. there is more to come. This review was written before she has come on board, but I thought it was a great example of her capabilities!

 

From Indonesia but now living in Singapore, Leonny O has clearly got a natural talent for songwriting. This song, a letter to her past, demonstrates exactly this, and when I found out it was written when she was 15 years old, I was thoroughly impressed. We checked out her re-recorded release, and there’s a lot to take away!

From a songwriting perspective, I love the story told in the lyrics. Although they are almost overwhelmingly negative, Leonny O gives a raw and exposed insight into her psyche, and it’s incredibly human. For that reason the track is very relatable. Writing the song at the age of 15, and released a few years later, it addresses the continuous need to self-criticise, looking back to a time where almost everyone would be filled with optimism, and holding both envy as well as a disappointment to grow into something that leaves this at the door.

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The core of this track are the vocals and guitar – which are both performed well and recorded to a high standard. If I were to offer a criticism on the production, it would be the cliché – Sometimes less is more! As artists, we often worry if things will be enough, and I believe this might be the case with this song. The lyrics are raw and powerful, but the backing instruments of this track feel less organic.  The drums are either played on an electric kit or direct MIDI, and they feel too manufactured for a track so pure.

There’s good reason to lean towards synths, drums and other production sweeteners –Dynamic variance is massively important in keeping a song interesting. However, I think there’s two routes here – either a live recording (which obviously adds significant cost!) or my choice – I would love this song to go completely the other way. Take away the drums, and instead use piano, organ or guitars. The vocals could be varied to keep it engaging, with harmonies or backing parts. Who knows, maybe in another few years we'll get a re-re-recording?

Overall, To my nine-year-old self is a raw and beautifully written track. To have the talent at the age of 15 to put something so retrospective and emotionally deep is truly impressive. Leonny O is clearly on the path to create big things, and I think her 9-year-old self would actually think the things she's creating at the age of 18 are pretty darn great.

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