Now that it’s summer and the days are longer, there’s something so satisfying about listening to beautifully chilled out music whilst sipping a cold drink. If, however, you’re struggling to find that certain artist to complete the summer picture that’s just been painted, look no further than James Leese and his new EP ‘(I Have A…) RomComplex.’
Hailing from Stafford, this melodic singer-songwriter blends gentle and delicate vocals with intricate guitar picking to create sweet and soulful tracks like opener ‘Goodbye’. It comes complete with melancholic lyrics, such as “And with a heavy heart / I will say goodbye” and “I promise I’ll never forget you” – emotional and touching, it sets the scene for the rest of the EP.
‘500 Days’ combines fantastic melodies with some truly wonderful harmonies whilst ‘Under Your Window’ is a quirky love song; lyrics of “I’ll tell I love you so / whilst I’m under your window” are heart-warming. The slightly muddy production on the release makes this all the more endearing; besides, it doesn’t actually matter too much as James Leese really showcases his brilliant talent, both in the form of his guitar-playing and singing. His vocals are strong and deft, painting vivid and colourful pictures as he picks his way through the EP.
Closing track ‘A Song For a Waltz’ ends ‘(I Have A…) RomComplex’ on an absolute high. It’s a short EP, but it’s one that’s full of carefully selected tracks that are full of emotion and beauty. Get ready to be playing James Leese’s work all summer long.
JESS TAGLIANI