Leila Jane is a talented singer-songwriter in the Alternative Pop genre, based in Dublin. With vocals that have been compared to the likes of Janis Joplin, Sandy Denny, Jess Glynn, Robyn and Sia, Leila Jane has been successfully melding her influences to create her own style of alternative pop. As well as honing her sound, Leila Jane likes to infuse her songs with strong messages of triumph over darkness.
Her music takes inspiration from her early blues influences. Imelda May, a well-known artist, recognized the unique sense of heart in Leila’s music and awarded her the ‘Imelda May Scholarship’ at BIMM Institute Dublin.
Leila has been singing and leading her own bands for more than a decade. She has performed at renowned music festivals such as Electric Picnic, Glastonbury, and Body & Soul. Videos of her busking on Grafton Street are often featured on Dublin City Today’s YouTube channel.
There are numerous noteworthy releases from Leila, including the EP ‘Revolve Evolve’. Nialler 9 has acknowledged the EP as demonstrating the artist’s affinity for 60s alt-folk and classic harmonic sounds. Another notable release is the single ‘Wild’, which was shortlisted to represent Ireland in last year’s Eurovision. Leila’s most recent single is ‘Love Will Come Rushing’, which Hot Press Magazine has described as challenging pop conventions with an alternative bent and sugary hooks, channelling the spirit of influences such as Angel Olsen and Miley Cyrus.
Her latest single ‘Tightrope’ was released on May 10th 2024.
Tightrope is a captivating example of her exploration into the electro-pop realm. The song stands out for its darker tone, which adds an emotional depth to the track. MP3 Hugger has described it as an “electronic dream sequence” that is so immersive it can suffocate those who get too close to the music.
In this track, Leila Jane boldly validates the feelings of anyone who has found themselves caught up in a narcissistic relationship and been made to feel like they are crazy. It eloquently highlights the conflicting emotions around an empath’s addiction to the narcissist. “I’m intoxicated by your empty stare, knowing full well that no good love comes from there”, and ultimately leads the listener towards a message of hope in realising the strength of a more nurturing love “I’m not going to settle down so I might as well be brave’’.
To create this emotive electro-piece, Leila Jane worked with electronic producer Michael Heffernan. Additionally, the song received preliminary production from Molly Mansukhani, which helped to craft the track’s sound.
Overall, “Tightrope” is an excellent example of how Leila Jane continues to evolve as an artist, pushing the boundaries of the electro-pop genre.
