Half Asleep and fully innovative – Leyya’s genre-bending return
After a successful string of singles that introduced a new level of honesty and openness, Austrian indie pop duo Leyya has released their third album, Half Asleep, via Minor Changes / Ink Music.
Produced by: Marco Kleebauer & Sophie Lindinger
Half Asleep is a sonic exploration that seamlessly blends analog and digital elements with Leyya’s signature aesthetic. Known for their electropop innovation, Leyya—comprised of Sophie Lindinger and Marco Kleebauer—masterfully combines soft vocal melodies, muted electronic drum patterns, and unexpected twists, creating a captivating journey through ambivalence and liminal states. The album delves deep into themes of self-reflection and inner turbulence, showcasing a newfound honesty that resonates throughout each track.
The record’s introspective nature is exemplified in songs like ‘Nobody Cares, Lovely,’ ‘Ease My Mind,’ and ‘Sometimes You’re Lonely,’ all of which reflect the band’s journey of self-discovery and awareness. Despite its humble beginnings, Half Asleep was created without preconceived notions, drawing inspiration from lived experiences, favorite songs, and the pure joy of making music. This approach allowed Leyya to return to their roots, embracing melancholic, enigmatic, and intimate tonalities while pushing the boundaries of conventional production.
One of the standout tracks, ‘Hundred Or More,’ encapsulates the essence of Half Asleep. The song intertwines soft vocal melodies with muted electronic drum patterns, building a melancholic energy that is representative of the album as a whole. As the track progresses, new elements are introduced, whether through crunchy riffs in the choruses or the seamless blend of analog and digital sounds, culminating in a crescendo that is both unexpected and satisfying.
Highlighting the self-reflective and turbulent process that defines Half Asleep, Leyya stated:
“We’ve finally found ourselves again and it feels right.”
Half Asleep is out now via Minor Changes / Ink Music, marking Leyya’s triumphant return to the forefront of the electropop scene.
Standout Songs: Standout Tracks: ‘Half Asleep,’ ‘I Don’t Hug So Well,’ ‘Why Not,’ ‘Pumped Up High,’ and ‘What Did I Do Wrong.’
Release Date: August 30
7.8
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