If anyone had been asked if they knew who LoveLeo was last December, the answer would have been an unequivocal no. But since then, Leo Reilly, known by his stage name LoveLeo, has taken off.
When his first song ‘BOYFREN’, a catchy bedroom-made song full of charm, and a lot of whistling, went viral on Tiktok at the end of last year, it kickstarted his current journey into increasing fame. The video features Leo’s head on an egg, a common music video object, which he mentioned in an interview just, “thought it would be visually appealing to crack an egg with his face.” The line perfectly sums up his out there and quirky personality that shines through in his tunes. July saw the release of LOOK AT THIS MESS I’VE MADE covering a total of eight tracks. The album’s dancy vibe makes you want to kick off your shoes and boogie around your room – it’s perfect for days when you’re feeling energised and excitable.
The album starts with “RECENTLY DELETED” in which he explores deleting photos of people who have left your life from your devices, landing them in the digital trash. It’s a relatable moment tbh. It’s followed by the viral “BOYFREN” and “AHHHHHHHHH.” I don’t know about you but in quarantine, that second song title was extremely relevant. It covers being too nice for your own good, and serves as a smooth transition into the song Leo describes as being his favourite ever written, “HEAD OVER HEELS.” Very wholesome and exudes vibes of being deeply in love to the point where your head spins and your world is upside down. Probably my favourite on the album too.
“ROSIE”, also his second single release, has a similarly crazy video to “BOYFREN” and one of the catchiest choruses i’ve ever heard which it’s remake of the “Ring a Ring o’ Rosie” song children sing. Particularly feeling the vibes of ‘pockets full of I don’t care.’ What a LYRIC! “LEMONS” another single, reinvents something else you’ve probably heard – when life gives you lemons make lemonade. But as Leo says, what if you’re not a lemonade fan? The album rounds off with ‘BABYFREEZE’ and the track Leo most anticipated upon release, ‘ROCKBOTTOM.’ It’s a disco vibe piece with some, as always, funky vocals, and ends the EP on a high.
Throughout his entire tracklist, Leo comes across as relatable, original and possessing a now-signature spark of magic as he journeys across song styles and inserts himself into the hearts of many. And while he has said he is taking it one day at a time (and understandably so, considering everything that’s happening) fingers crossed we get more soon from this up and coming star. There is no doubt he is destined for great heights within the industry, and I can’t wait to hear it.
9/10: also earning him points is his earrings collection – it’s quite snazzy.