Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Harpa – Leave Me Behind (2023)

The last time we left Harpa, she had released her debut album Growing Pains to critical acclaim. Heart-breaking, tear-jerking pop tracks with folk and rock sensibilities on certain songs, UK-based Harpa shared her coming-of-age story with us all. Earlier in the year she released the single ‘Shrink’ with a hard-hitting punch of pure emotion. Now, we’re taking a gander at her most recent release, ‘Leave Me Behind’.

As with ‘Shrink’, Harpa adopts a tender piano with bold vocals beautifully expressing emotions in honest poetry. ‘Leave Behind Me’ adopts an acoustic approach with a simplistic piano ballad – possibly one of the most intriguing styles to capture our hearts in a skin-chilling way. It’s proof that minimalism can sometimes be astounding hiding a kaleidoscopic swell of music.

Beautiful inside and out, Harpa lays bare her exquisite self in ‘Leave Me Behind’. While an optimistic song, a painful poignancy exists in the heart-wrenching poetry and sublime piano. Growing from pain, developing from loss, and finding an inspired sense of self-discovery from a mire of despair – ‘Leave Me Behind’ encapsulates all the positivity from a depth of negativity.

“’Leave Me Behind’ is a letter to myself or rather, the past version of me saying goodbye to my present – telling her she’s safe now. It’s okay to let her walls come down and let the light in. A lot happened to me during my transition into adulthood… I become a very afraid, defensive person filled with a lot of anger…When I met my partner it was difficult for me to shake that distrust and let him see what was behind the fortress I’d built… I didn’t even realise but slowly it started to crumble – before I knew it I’d grown into this calm, loving young woman.” – Harpa on ‘Leave Me Behind’

Sincere and sentimental, I can honestly say the tune with Harpa’s delicate vocals left me heartsore, crushed my soul, had me gasping for breath but also lifted my spirits in one fell swoop. You know those songs that leave you changed after only one listen…well, this is one of them.


For more from Harpa, check out her official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator