Chicago, USA-based rock and roll artist Leon Frear has just come to my attention thanks to his new track and video. A deeply personal story, it’s called Secret Second Moon.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Jeremy Glickstein

Sonically, Leon draws inspiration from the likes of Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, PJ Harvey, and Nick Cave. He takes those influences and creates something that feels beautifully unique, mixing into them his own life experiences. Secret Second Moon opens with some rousing percussion before hitting a jangly rock groove. Leon’s expressive vocals deliver poetic lyrics before we arrive at a lively, riff-filled finish.

The track is the first single release from Leon’s upcoming debut album Wild Rice. He plays all the instruments on the track and album, and self-produces, with mastering by Adam Boose at Caulifower Studios. You can check out Secret Second Moon’s animated video, created by French artist Ronald Grandpey, below.