Madi Leeds - “Long Distant Memory”
Photo by Morris
From Melbourne, Australia, Madi Leeds arrives on our blog with a synth-infused slice of evocative indie rock: “Long Distant Memory.”
An understated, lo-fi beat catches the listener’s attention before the production expands to a full-band arrangement, complete with an ear-worm synth melody. The foundation consists of a tightly bound rhythm section and shimmering acoustic guitar that propels the track forward.
But where “Long Distant Memory” succeeds in nailing our niche is through Leeds’ double-tracked vocal performance. She has been blessed with a voice that ignites our modern fire for the genre, reminiscent of Soccer Mommy and Snail Mail, while also stoking the flames of nostalgia via hints of ‘90s-era Liz Phair.
On the refrain, Leeds travels up into her falsetto, revealing a vocal hook that is destined to become permanently lodged in your brain– the reason we have not been able to stop spinning this one. The lyrics deeply resonate, revealing the melancholy of leaving your past behind in order to become the present version of yourself.
Highlights include a call-and-response vocal delivery on the second chorus, leading listeners into a wonderfully peeled-back dynamic break that uncovers some gloriously raw emotion. And to add a cherry to the top of this musical dish, Leeds has utilized some auxiliary layers of vocals on the final throw of refrains.
“Long Distant Memory” is the first that we’re hearing from this Melbourne artist, but if Madi Leeds keeps releasing these nostalgically-imbued morsels of sound, we hope that she sends all of them our direction.