The 23rd of August marks the release of Sam Leyden’s debut EP ‘True Story’, a collection of six tracks documenting his recent experiences and challenges of moving away from home to start University in Manchester. Through intricate guitar melodies and rich vocals, Sam lays his soul bare within this EP and leaves nothing unsaid, revealing his thoughts and insecurities with fearless vulnerability. With this first EP, Sam Leyden set himself the ambitious challenge of writing, recording, mixing, mastering and executing the cover art entirely by himself, and it is arguably this impressive feat of independence that allows for his raw introspection to flourish without interference.
The EP begins with his first single ‘Silent Cries’, which sets the tone for the rest of the track list, its stripped back production of gentle guitars and layered vocals allowing both these gorgeous elements to shine through uninterrupted. Sam sings with sincerity and honesty in a way that directly translates every thought and emotion straight into his chilling delivery, especially during the vocal riff section which showcases the beauty and range of his voice.
A melancholy piano note takes us into ‘I Practice Writing Suicide Notes’ before swelling into a series of rich, haunting chords accompanied by delicate percussion. As the song title suggests, this track explores dark thoughts and feelings towards suicide and the harrowing concept of having to say goodbye to your loved ones. Directly addressing a potential reader, the lyrics themselves read like a suicide note, expressing delicately but honestly how he has been feeling while reassuring them that it isn’t their fault. Another track to be released ahead of the EP, ‘I Practice Writing Suicide Notes’ was a bold, brave confession to make, but one that has undoubtedly won over some fans with its honesty and prepared them for what else ‘True Story’ has to offer.
‘Boys Cry Too’ trails in with a light, soothing guitar before Sam’s soft vocals come in, rising and falling with ease. Building on the vulnerability of the EP, this track aims to tear down expectations of toxic masculinity. As well as reflecting on his own patriarchal challenges and how his music has become a vessel for channelling his emotions, with lyrics like “Boys cry too so why don’t you” Sam invites the listener to join him on this journey of self acceptance, towards a softer, more authentic self.
‘I’ll Be Okay’ takes us down a slightly more intimate path, directing the song towards a romantic lover with the bittersweet offer of a temporary goodbye, parting ways for the better with hopes of rekindling in the future. A twinkling piano and deep vocal harmonies give the song a grounded, reassuring feeling, while a subtle build up of distant strings allows the song to rise with anticipation and desperation for what could be later down the line.
‘Little Lump’ is arguably Sam at his most honest. Accompanied by a light guitar arrangement, he opens up about a health scare and the chain reaction of ponderings regarding his own morality as well as how to communicate this to loved ones: “What if I’m forced to say goodbye? That’s gotta hurt”. While being a very specific, niche experience, it is this which makes the song so authentic and impactful, leaving a lingering chill with the listener.
‘Lonely Town’ acts as a resolution to the EP, leading with a moving instrumental segment at the beginning which paints the picture of this bleak location. Sam goes on to describe ‘Lonely Town’ as a world of desperation and melancholy, in which he fantasises about the person he wants to be with little aspiration of actually becoming them. However, by the end of this short track it becomes apparent that this ‘Lonely Town’, while constructed as a vivid location, is by no means a destination or end point. There is in fact a road that leads away from ‘Lonely Town’ and towards a more hopeful trajectory, perhaps somewhere Sam will take us along for the ride through future music releases.
‘True Story’ is not just an EP but a moving novella that captures through sound and lyrics this important time of life, storytelling with emotive vocals and artful instrumentation. Each song taps into a different element of Sam’s thoughts and experiences, offering a fresh perspective each time. With this EP, Sam Leyden has established himself as a skilled singer-songwriter who doesn’t shy away from vulnerability and offers uniquely honest storytelling with his discography so far. You can stream ‘True Story‘ here or alternatively find Sam on any of his social media platforms here.
Words: Heather Swift
