When we last checked in with Cincinnati songwriter and vocalist, Leo Pastel, he was delivering a heartwarming and anthemic Summer love duet, Woah featuring fellow Cincinnatian, Muwosi. The track, which was our first glimpse into the raw talent that both artists possessed, excited us for what the future may hold, but we could have never expected such an excellent divergence from his already existing sonic texture bubbling over with emotion and fun. 

 

With his latest, Growth, Leo appears to be undergoing just that lyrically and altogether sonically as he treads water more appropriately reconciled under the labels of modern gospel and a Seal-esque dream pop take on the modern R&B scene. Honestly, it’s perfection.

 

Somewhere between the delicate synth production, the upliftingly relatable lyrics, and the undeniable cadence on the hook, the track takes on one of the most unique personas of any released in music this year. Impossibly smooth, retro reminiscent, necessarily encouraging, and addictingly individualistic, Leo Pastel proves just how much Growth is possible in the young stages of a talented creative’s career.

 

It’s couldn’t have been easy to switch directions so drastically, but Leo Pastel not only achieves in doing so, he excels, unearthing not only a new aesthetic of his own, but a bold meshing of stylings old and new that could come to help usher in the next leg of the exploding neo-soul scene.