What’s going on in Sweden these days? I don’t really know much about that other than that melodic popsters Leading Edge have a new EP out called “High As A Kite”.
This being an EP, there are but three songs to consider but, to the band’s credit, all of them are worthy of your consideration. There is more than a hint of festival friendly Americana influences in the Leading Edge sound yet the lyrics go much deeper than just another stroll through the dustbowl of yesterday. Emotional impact is present and correct and this duly provides a more than adequate substitute for the customary historical reinventions of scenarios that are hardly a reflection of today. It would not, therefore, be a disservice to this band to remark that they have taken the sensitivity, and the appreciation of the power of self-reflection, of the solo singer songwriter and have expanded it into something greater that is uplifting without ever being artificially joyous. Something that perhaps could best be described as simultaneously wistful and poetic.
“High As A Kite” demonstrates a maturity in musical approach that infuses these three songs with an enveloping atmosphere of their own and, while you may not always sing along on the chorus, the chances are that you will understand the message that Leading Edge send to us.