What began almost by accident with a viral TikTok video ended up establishing Odie Leigh as one of the most promising new voices in American indie folk. Following her debut album, “Carrier Pigeon” (2024), the Detroit-based artist was forced to take a break that made her rethink everything. She’s now back with Miss Leave Me Alone, the first taste of her upcoming second album, and a much more guitar-driven sound.
You can tell she’s keen to make her voice heard. Miss Leave Me Alone is pure 90s alternative rock: distorted guitars, insistent riffs and a driving rhythm that’s impossible to resist. It has Courtney Barnett’s edgy guitar work, the blend of melody and grit that characterises The Breeders, and the infectious energy of The Beths, with a distinct pop-punk streak. Odie sounds completely at home here, her laid-back vocals gradually growing in intensity until they land on a chorus you’ll be humming without meaning to. It all sounds bright, fresh and fun, even if the lyrics aren’t exactly cheerful.
“I’ve been having a horrible time. Forced into a hiatus, I found myself constantly face to face with every mistake I’ve ever made. ‘Miss Leave Me Alone’ is a reflection on the ego nursery that is the music industry, and how the qualities we praise can turn into problems we resent.” (Odie Leigh)
Beneath that apparent nonchalance, though, there’s a fair bit of bite. The song reflects Odie’s disillusionment with a music industry that celebrates certain qualities, only to turn them into flaws later on. And so, the proud “Miss Independent” becomes “Miss Leave Me Alone”, someone who no longer recognises herself. Self-sufficiency slides into isolation and, on top of that, you can dance to it.
If this is anything to go by, Odie Leigh looks set to take her introspective folk in a new direction, embracing electric guitars, irony and a healthy dose of cheek. We’re already counting down the days.
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