Leo Aram-Downs – Dashcam (2021)
Currently residing in Brighton, UK, Leo Aram-Downs is a London native with a sound that is out of this world. Blending elements of jazz, acoustic guitar and R&B with undertones of folk, Aram-Downs is not to be pigeon-holed. Since graduating from The Brit School, the singer-songwriter has focused mostly on gigging, however, this does not mean he stopped writing songs. Featured on several online radios and playlists, including iHeart Radio, Aram-Downs is reaching audiences across the globe. The latest addition to his repertoire is ‘Dashcam’.
Taken from his upcoming EP We All Have Our Place, Part 2, ‘Dashcam’ has a light-hearted acoustic folk tune. Alright, I don’t like labelling artists but it does help new listeners gain an idea of what might be blasting through their headphones; so, folk. Melodic and flowing, the engaging instrumentation enhances tenderness and sincerity in ‘Dashcam’. Showcasing his finger-picking technique, the single is primarily guitar-driven; however, it is not only the guitar strings that he plucks but also the listener’s heartstrings. The fusion of warm vocals and evocative instrumentation tips you into a bubble of comfortable sound within a cinematic soundscape.
Beautiful in its simplicity, ‘Dashcam’ is more than a personal tale about life but a conceptual piece focusing on the effects of a pandemic-ridden society. Developed during Covid-19 lockdowns, the emotional song touches on feelings of isolation, anxiety and frustration caused by a limited existence. While the single tracks a person’s emotions, there is a nostalgic reflection in the lyricism showing how memories “…are deeply tiered to our sense of place and seeing new sides of the world for the first time.”
Sentimental and brutally honest, but in a soft way, ‘Dashcam’ teeters on the line between melancholic and soothing acceptance. I can’t wait to see what else Aram-Downs has for us in the future.
In addition to the radio edit of ‘Dashcam’, Leo Aram-Downs released a live video of the song that can be seen below. Please note: this video contains lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
For more from Leo Aram Downs check out his official website, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
