NYC-based singer/songwriter Leo Sawikin will be celebrating the release of his full-length album at the end of January. While in the past, he’s recorded in his home studio, this collection was done in Seattle with the help of esteemed producer Phil Ek. Till You’re Somebody Else brings a fresh look to Sawikin’s style, doing away with the pop thrills and digging deeper into the musician’s own skills, with Sawikin handling most of the instrumentals himself.
The simplest chords hit the target in “The Life We Choose,” the first track on Till You’re Somebody Else. An atmospheric start with the keys and guitar ringing out full chords, and a snappy drumbeat, the intro gives you an idea of what is to come before jumping into the rest of the album. “The Life We Choose,” is not only simple, but inviting.
The drums kick off the next song titled, “Am I Ever Gonna Fly Again.” Sawikin’s voice is smoother than butter, swaying with the melody in warm harmonies. The riff is reminiscent of early 2000’s indie-pop songs. There is something bittersweet, sorrowful, and nostalgic about this one.
The album’s title track comes in at number three. Dreamy and evocative, “Till You’re Somebody Else” highlights the escapism vibe of the album. Shoe-gaze elements soften the wails, and a surf rhythm makes one want to fly away. The lyrics penetrate the soft dissonance and the riff punches through the bridge to aim the spotlight on the guitar. The song ends in a slow fade out, leaving traces of its essence behind.
“Hold On” starts off acoustic without all the thrills, just the vocals and guitar leading the way. Lyrical precision strengthens the track. “Someday I’ll be somewhere I need to be, but for now I can feel the ground,” ring as the opening lines, and the message to keep going even when it feels wrong is not lost on listeners.
“Don’t Drag Me Down” floats in with airy and rhythmic chords. Sawikin’s edgy tone fits in here to balance out the warm atmosphere with the right amount of grit, and he hits the high notes effortlessly. “Don’t Drag Me Down” feels like running away on a train somewhere far away or cutting off whatever does not serve you anymore. There’s a feeling of hope simmering beneath a melancholy sound.
The slower, apathetic “Same Mistakes” carries in all the feels. Introspective and light, this track keeps a languid pulsing beat. Steady all the way through, “Same Mistakes” barely raises the volume or changes pace and tone, but when the rest of the instrumentals kick in near the end, you don’t miss it.
“Don’t Pass It By,” is accompanied by psychedelic chord progressions in a melodic rhythm that’s very Beatles-esque while Sawikin’s croons rise over it. “Life’s too short to fight, don’t pass it by now” channels the message of taking things slow and letting your worries subside. A clean acoustic guitar finishes the song out.
“What Is the Answer” warps together a mix of bedroom pop, nineties shoe-gaze, and early 2000s acoustic indie in one song that’s all about the meaning of everything, or perhaps not knowing the meaning of anything. Smooth wails harmonize with background vocals in this whimsy serenade.
Ready for a folk release? “New York, I’m Coming Home” has that shiny twang one might hear in a folk club, and as the title implies, this song is all about coming home. The upbeat riff is a change from the solitude of the earlier tracks. “New York, I’m Coming Home,” feels like the end of a weary traveler’s journey, and is therefore fitting for the album’s conclusion.
Till You’re Somebody Else is a humble and honest record, a ten-track compilation displaying the writer’s vulnerability and craftsmanship. It’s an album that forces listeners to look within and take things slow, a soulful experience with dynamic storytelling.
I’m Music Magazine Writer Alice Kearney
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