London-based Greek indie-pop star Leon of Athens will be releasing his forthcoming album Xenos, produced by David Kosten (Bat For Lashes, Marina & The Diamonds) on February 9th.
Channelling a similar widescreen pop sensibility as Bastille, James Bay and M83 alongside the flamboyant beauty of Sufjan Stevens, Bright Eyes, Perfume Genius and Tame Impala, the album Xenos is a beautiful, thoughtful piece of work. It showcases just why he has become a huge live draw in Greece – where he plays to audiences in their thousands – his ever-growing fanbase across Europe and his rising profile in the USA where he has just been confirmed to appear at Okeechobee Festival and South By South West in March.
From the uplifting indie-pop of the singles ‘Aeroplane’ and ‘Fire Inside You’, to the dark creeping electronics of the title track and ‘Serpents Egg’, Leon Of Athens proves himself an intriguing and exciting force. Current single ‘Utopia’ pulls together melancholic electronics and solemn vocal tones before breaking into a jubilant bright chorus bursting with optimism. There are delicate moments on the stark piano led ballads of ‘Letters To My Father’ and ‘Final Moment’, while the album closes with the joyous ode to his favourite place in the world ‘Corfu’ and the tender, dreamy ‘Moonlight’.
Leon Of Athens has been inspired by life within a country that has been facing many challenges during recent years. His music is informed by the refugee crisis, the rise of fascist groups in Europe and Brexit and also personal upheavals: fractured relationships, youth, freedom and death.
Xenos follows the highly acclaimed release of his 2015 debut album Global, which was championed by the likes of The Guardian, NME, Q, New York Times and more.
He recently completed a sold out UK and European tour.
Leon of Athens
Thursday, 21.04.2018 | 20:00 CET
Musik & Frieden | Falckensteinstr. 47 | 10997 Berlin/Kreuzberg
leonofathens.com/ | musikundfrieden.de/
