London’s most experimental rising star, Leonard Maassen has unveiled the beginnings of a new project with the release of the emotional single ‘Colours’. Boundless musical journeys are detailed with pulsating, atmospheric synth design and celestial vocals. From percussive hits to twinkling and angelic melodies Leonard curates a rich auditory speaker, introducing vocals that cross between spoken word and choir-like layering, assisted by guest performer Erin Snape.
Maassen shares, “Colours expresses the feeling of having to let go of somebody who you love in order for both of you to grow. It’s about meeting them again one day far in the future, when both of you are older and wiser, able to experience the beauty of the past with less attachment. I wanted to explore deep nostalgia mixed with gratitude and hope for yourself and the other person.
I wanted the duet part of the track to feel like a conversation between two deities, much bigger than humans and made up of the beauty and sorrow of life, woven into intricate and surreal textures. I was thinking of the way that Hindu gods are portrayed with multiple limbs and animal features, expressing their characters and their divinity. If you mix that idea with the way AI can make humans look like they're made of plants, that's how I imagine the two voices in Colours.”
As a boundary-pushing electronic artist, Leonard Maassen is poised to release his debut album ‘Inside Cycles’ in April of this year. With a background across Germany, France and the UK, his international upbringing infuses his music with everything from European electronic traditions and UK jazz. Following the success of his debut EP ‘Lillies’, characterised by hypnotic vocal loops and synth, Maassen has continued to garner attention with a unique electronic style.
His foray into audio-visual installations, notably with the acclaimed project 'Heart of a Glacier', has earned him recognition, including being named a Finalist for the MUSE Digital Art Award 2023. With accolades ranging from film scoring at prestigious festivals to performances at renowned venues, Maassen's innovative approach to music promises to captivate audiences in 2024 and beyond, drawing interest from BBC Introducing and Voices Radio.
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