Indie-pop artist Christian Leave shocks fans with a departure from his traditionally acoustic sounds, trading in for a broader genre mix in his recently released EP, “Days Like Lost Dogs.”
Leave initially gained popularity for his presence on the now obsolete social media app “Vine,” at the height of which he boasted over 800,000 followers. After the discontinuation of the app in 2015, Leave began to focus more on his music career, releasing his first EP, “Hope,” in July 2016. Later that same month, the EP debuted at number 48 on the Billboard Independent Albums list. The EP includes the highly popularized “Please Notice,” as well as Leave’s cover of the Elvis Presley classic, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Leave continued to make a name for himself, consistently posting covers of songs to YouTube which allowed him to gain further attention outside of social media. His first album, “Heartbreak Room” was self-released in January, 2018 and after gaining media attention, Leave was signed on to Warner Records and the label Godmode. Leave’s popularity can be attributed to his unique songwriting ability that combines heartfelt, warm lyrics with cool instrumentals.
The format that many Leave fans have grown used to is altered with “Day Like Lost Dogs.” Beginning with a 41 second ambient sound and electric instrumental song, rightfully titled “Intro,” Leave immediately sets the tone that this EP is going to be different than what listeners are used to.
Wasting no time, “Intro” very quickly bleeds into the second, titular track, “Days Like Lost Dogs.” Beginning with echoing vocals and then picking up with a heavy snare beat and electric chords, “Days Like Lost Dogs” clearly demonstrates why it holds the same name as the EP. The song is undoubtedly the strongest on the EP, both instrumentally and lyrically. Dealing with themes of self-doubt and despair, the chorus reads, “Do you take what you want when you need?/Do you ever check down just to see?/If I’ve given up myself or I’ve fallen into hell/Have I met the end and seen the wrath of he?/Answer me.” While avid Leave listeners may be used to similar themes from his other work, this track proves more refreshing through the change in instrumentals.
Each song on the 8 track collection is valuable, but some stick out more than others. Just like “Days Like Lost Dogs,” the seventh track, “10 Steps” stands out more than the rest.
The most listened to song off the EP, according to Spotify statistics, “10 Steps” is the most upbeat song of the album. Sounding closer to indie-rock, something akin to The Regrettes or Just Friends, “10 Steps” is the perfect song for dancing alone in your room to shake off a bad day. The lyrics describe the journey that many young people go through as they grow up and enter the “real world.” Leave’s chorus, “Well, four years is a long time/To see everything you ever wanted to do fade out of light/And four years shouldn’t define/Your sense of wonder in the world and if you’ll ever make it in time,” demonstrates the imbalance with losing one dream and finding another.
Leave gives “Days Like Lost Dogs” as a revival of the confusing ballad. The EP encapsulates feelings of insecurity in a way that makes listeners feel more secure than they have ever been. Leave is still just starting out and audiences should be anxious to see what comes next.
Image from Christian Leave via YouTube
