Leon Thomas’ “Mutt” Album Review
Leon Thomas III, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, outstanding vocalist, record producer, and actor, released his sophomore album, "MUTT," on September 27th. In addition to contributing to the music of some of the biggest names in the industry, he is still able to give us music of his own with clean production, intentional lyrics, and soulful vocals. Although Leon Thomas is an essential part of the incredible R&B wave of today, his art has never been limited to just one genre. The project is heavily influenced by R&B, but it also incorporates hip-hop and rock elements. Thomas says in his Billboard interview “I like to blend genres on certain songs. I never like to go full-blown The Strokes or anything, because I don’t want to confuse my fan base. But just know it’s always there.” I appreciate musicians who don't fit into a single category considering as a true creative in general, it's difficult to focus on just a single skill when you have so many talents. Staying in one pocket becomes boring quickly, and with music in particular, having expertise in multiple genres enables you to develop a more diverse fan base. Leon was the first artist to sign to Ty Dolla $ign's EZMNY Records, a collaboration with Motown Records, in 2022. This is his second album under EZMNY Records, following his debut album "Electric Dusk" in 2023.
"MUTT" is 14 tracks and a little under 50 minutes long, consisting of music with vivid melodies, lyrics that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster while also covering some of the most common dating challenges experienced today. Alsoincluding features from Ty Dolla $ign, Masego, Baby Rose,Wale, Axlfolie, and Freddie Gibbs. The entire project continuously delivers incredible production, lyrics, and vocability. Track 3 “Dancing With Demons” is without a doubtthe song with the highest replay value for me. I'm a sucker for powerful instrumentation that keeps you engaged throughout a song; it just makes you feel more connected and in sync with the listening experience. Leon's melodic vocals over this dark production were quite the contrast, yet the pair performed perfectly together and created a cinematic atmosphere to the record overall.
His singing strengths truly stood out clearly on track 4, “Answer Your Phone”. What I liked best about it was how you could feel the guilt and forgiveness he was seeking through the way he sang. Leon's slow-burning ballad conveys a relatable story of someone who realizes they have done something wrong toward their partner and seeks to make things right. In an interview with The Honey Pop, Leon says, ‘ANSWER YOUR PHONE’ is a beautiful song written by the legendary songwriter Diane Warren. This was the only song I didn’t have a part in with the writing but I definitelyidentified with the emotions conveyed in her lyrics. It was a perfect fit.”
Sequencing, and particularly how it begins and finishes, is a key consideration for most artists when creating an album. The opening tune "How Fast" is an excellent way to start an album. The beat took over here, which I prefer for an intro track. The opening song on any album is designed to grab your attention and is usually considerably different from the remainder of the album. Thomas delivers these cocky phrases that any other person would rap, yet he uses a peaceful, melodic tone. Track 1 served as a reminder in case anyone forgot who Leon Thomas III is. The album finishes with the title track "Mutt" Remix, which features Freddie Gibbs. Although it is not uncommon for title tracks to be the final song, sonically this arrangement makes sense. This song was initially released as a single, providing a preview of what to anticipate.
Leon is not only a member of the Grammy Recording Academy, but his song "Mutt" is also eligible for Grammy Consideration. It's common for artists to try not to let these important award events define them, but it does have an impact on the audience when we believe that someone has been overlooked or that the academy made a mistake. Seeing someone with such experience in this field and involvement in so much incredible music that we all adore is extremely motivating. Saying things like "rap is wack nowadays" and "R&B is dead" is pretty dismissive when there are authentic, versatile artists like Leon Thomas who consistently produce outstanding material.