Leo Sawikin – Hold On (2023)
Described by American Songwriter as an “…old soul…effectively capturing the longing for the simplicity of the past”, singer-songwriter Leo Sawikin brings a nostalgic flair to modern-day music. His debut solo album Row Me Away was released in 2021 to critical acclaim earning radio play across the UK and the US. Not only was he turning the heads of curators and presenters, but he also quickly began garnering a loyal following among an international audience. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Hold On’.
One of the first tracks off his upcoming album, ‘Hold On’ sees an evolution in Sawikin’s style. Honed during the past two years, his sound transitions from the doom and gloom Row Me Away that was “steeped in a sense of anxiety and dread” to something more hopeful, positive and peaceful. Describing his new aesthetic as a “sort of indie folk-pop with dreamy shimmer”, his new music leans toward Sixpence None The Richer, Natalie Imbruglia and Sheryl Crow.
Recorded at Stone Gossard’s Studio Litho with renowned producer Phil Ek (The Shins, Fleet Foxes, and Modest Mouse), ‘Hold On’ is a tribute to the pop scene of the 90s. A soothing melody elegantly layers dynamic guitars and drums in an otherworldly, mellifluous harmony of sound. Sophisticated and charming, there is a maturity noted in ‘Hold On’; however, Sawikin’s dulcet tones insert a vulnerability within the positive tune.
Penned with singer-songwriter Lucy Isabel, ‘Hold On’ is an uplifting tune with a strong message of hope when facing an uncertain reality. You need to hold on, find peace in the moment, and accept that things probably aren’t as bad as you think. Nostalgic and reflective, but with a modern-day flair in the folk-pop sound, ‘Hold On’ is a refreshing lift of the soul.
For more from Leo Sawikin, check out his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
