Off the cusp of the success of two albums, ‘Mutt’ and ‘Electric Dusk’ including a deluxe version with added features from artists including Kehlani, Ty Dolla Sign and Big Sean, Leon Thomas continues to grace us with his eclectic appetite for experimenting with his sound and solidifying his position as one of the most prominent voices in the recent surge of modern R&B/Soul artists.
Most known for his Sophomore album, ‘Mutt,’ with the smash hit laced with heavy bass, with the same name, Leon Thomas treats us to a nine-track EP navigating his vulnerability through heartbreak, longing and an awareness of one’s self that feels both relatable and refreshing. The EP also serves as an extension of Thomas’ signature sound consisting of snare drums and layered background vocals that create a rhythmic groove.
Thomas first teased us with a new project following a trailer released earlier in this week starring cultural icon, Issa Rae, widely known for her inquisitive HBO show ‘Insecure,’ where Leon portrayed the character ‘Neighbour bae.’ Rae acts as a Soul Train-esque presenter jokingly introducing Leon as ‘soul brother number one.’
The EP opens with the previously released single “Just How You Are,” instantly transporting us into Leon’s Funk universe, accompanied by a melodious hook that matches the lively pace and timing of the song, which can be compared to the upbeat nature of ‘How Fast,’ on ‘Mutt.’ His delivery feels both conversational and confessional, setting this opening track apart from his other albums.
Sliding onto the second track, ‘My Muse,’ Thomas delivers a track that encapsulates his infatuation and borderline obsession with a lucky lady who shines as his source of inspiration: “You’re not my girl, but you’re my muse.” The consistent instrumental loop taps into the old school/early 2000s R&B that many of his adjacent listeners have been yearning for, with the maintained tempo blending with his silky euphony creating a nostalgic atmosphere that resonates with listeners.
‘Five More Minutes’ slows down the pace slightly with a slower tempo, draws on missing a secret, sneaky link and plays on the direct, colloquial plea with connotations of wanting to extend his time with his love interest, coming across as a desperate character with an urge to fulfil a sexual desire.
The fourth track, ‘Trapped’, brings us to a melody centred around Thomas’ fondness for bass guitars and strong drum percussion with Leon laying bare his vulnerability and jealousy towards his love interest who is already preoccupied in a relationship: “Who cares what I think, but I think you’re too bad for him / you’re gonna end up feeling trapped with him,” and providing a warning that the relationship may look smooth sailing for now but foreshadows that it may become suffocating and controlling so the interest would be much better off being with him.
Pivoting away from those melancholic emotions comes ‘Baccarat,’ an electric driven song, led by striking guitars and frantic drum percussion that almost feels chaotic at various points.
His vocals echo through the track like a song cry, as if Thomas is pushing to sonically rise above the instrumental’s weight. As the climax builds, consisting of several chords, the song ends rapidly, quite similar to the style of the late D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel).
‘Feel Alive’ marks the return of the acoustic, slow feel of some of Leon’s more down tempo tracks like ‘Slow Down,’ but with repetitive drums that create a reflective emotion and a cathartic release about wanting to live a life with purpose and content which the running metaphorical thread of his love interest who still feel unattainable at this point, can provide.
‘Lone Wolf,’ the last track on the project, as well as being the only song featuring another artist, American R&B artist 4Batz, keeps the calm with a smooth drum instrumental as Leon continues on his path of self acceptance and a mirror to his musical career so far, bringing the album to a meditative close with a voicemail from a female figure that feels both grounding and satisfying.
With PHOLKS, Leon Thomas continues to prove that his artistry runs deeper than fleeting trends. The project highlights both his technical finesse and emotional intuition, balancing polish with genuine feeling. It’s a record that reaffirms his position as one of R&B’s most distinctive new voices: thoughtful, ambitious, and unafraid to take creative risks. As he prepares for his upcoming UK tour, PHOLKS stands as both a testament to his growth and a promise of what’s still to come.
