Back when I was an editor on Genius Lyrics, there were four separate times a music artist came into my messages not asking for help with their songs' pages, but simply wanting me to listen to their music. I decided to give each of these artists a listen as they would introduce themselves. Most of the music I was sent this way ended up not being my cup of tea, with one exception: "Shane", the first (and at the time only) single by a band called Leon Canoe.
I have a personal soft spot for indie rock, and "Shane" is a song that hits right up my alley. It is a song that has a lot of energy, while also having plenty of variety that continues to keep the song interesting and fun. The song feels really nice, and while there of course was room to build on the sound that Leon Canoe had built with this song, I really enjoyed the sound that they were creating for themselves.
I shared some feedback with Leon Canoe and we ended up talking for a little bit about their music. They released another single a few months later called "On a Video", which they made sure to send my way as well. I ended up loving "On a Video" too, and I added both songs to my playlist. Eventually I became inactive on Genius Lyrics, and the band and I fell out of touch. I then noticed however many months ago that the single versions of "Shane" and "On a Video" were no longer available to listen to. I never took them out of my playlist, but I was disheartened and hoped this wasn't the end.
Now, if I was active on my public Instagram, or had been on Genius Lyrics within the past month to see the loving message Leon Canoe shot my way, I would have known that this was not the end of the band actually, but just the beginning. "Shane" and "On a Video" were taken down to be added back later on their first album, How We Babel, Oh! How we Babel, which dropped September 27. I found out just a few days ago by "Shane" coming on my playlist for the first time in a while, with a fancy new album art featuring even more balloons. Needless to say, I was over the moon.
How We Babel is an album that is fairly short, with only six songs and a run of thirty-two minutes. Yet, Leon Canoe follows the pattern of songwriting that they established in "Shane" throughout the album of sprinkling in plenty of variety within each song's little world. Typically, the second verse does not abide by the first verse completely in a Leon Canoe song, and sometimes the two verses can be completely different. It feels less like the song is following a structure and is more riding an energy, which is tied together by wonderful guitar riffs. The guitar also has fun with the song as well though, exploring different avenues as a song progresses. Some of the best moments are when the guitar is able to have a solo and just gets to explode with energy.
I loved "Shane" for this reason back when I first heard it. The song feels like a little journey with its highs and lows, and after the second chorus and the bridge, the guitar picks up with this great syncopation that allows it to slowly burst back into the action and carry the song to the finish. It's still a really good song, but the opening track of How We Babel, "Can You Feel My Thunder?" takes what I love about "Shane" and cranks it up to 11. It takes the first verse and chorus and builds upon it exponentially in the second of each, creating a great sense of progression. The quiet delivery of "can you feel my thunder" leads into the punch of "break" in the chorus, washing over like a wave. And then, after the second chorus, the guitar has at it for the rest of the track, seemingly rejoicing.
If I could describe this album as one thing, it is joyful (which, with a title like How We Babel, Oh! How We Babel does make sense). One particularly striking moment is in "Ghost", when the music mellows out into the quiet singing of "oh my God, you love me". As he sings it again and again, it starts out with the quiet disbelief that slowly crescendos into the excitement and joy of this simple concept of love. It's such a warm feeling that I found to be wonderful.
How We Babel, Oh! How We Babel has become a work that immediately means a lot to me. You can tell how much fun Leon Canoe had making this album, and it rubs off on me and puts a smile on my face. This type of music hits me right in my sweet spot, I suppose. I'd recommend checking it out if you're a fan of indie rock, and I really look forward to seeing where this band goes from here.
