Psst! Come Closer and discover Korean singer LEO as he unveils his debut solo EP – yep, you guessed it, also titled Come Closer.
This ambitious artist journeyed from Sydney, Australia, all the way to Korea at 17 to chase his dreams. Now, after trainee life, he’s embarking on his solo career!
LEO isn’t wasting any time. Tracks on his album featured collaborations with the Grammy Award-winning team Stereotypes and Korean music powerhouse B.I. Together, they’ve crafted four tracks guaranteed to bring all-around good vibes.
Featuring summer-ready tracks like ‘Pretty Plzzz (Feat. B.I.)‘ and ‘Farewell,’ – Come Closer is the perfect EP for late-night drives or whenever you need some chill vibes.
LEO sat down with The Knockturnal to dish on his highly-anticipated debut EP, Come Closer, for fans who’ve been with him since his trainee days and for all the new ears discovering his music.
Watch the ‘Come Closer‘ MV below!
The road to his debut hasn’t been a walk in the park – it’s been a long one filled with dedication. But fueled by his fans’ unwavering support, LEO is bursting with excitement for this new solo chapter.
The Knockturnal: LEO! Congratulations on your first solo EP, Come Closer. From moving to Korea at 17 to releasing this EP, it’s been a remarkable journey. How does this achievement feel compared to other career milestones?
LEO: This is for sure a huge step for me. I struggle a lot with feeling satisfaction about my music and tend to be scared of failure, so just putting something out there regardless of the result was the most important thing. I feel this is a step in the right direction.
The Knockturnal: How does your current solo journey differ from your previous experiences as an artist?
LEO: I think all artists essentially have the same goal, to showcase their musical abilities to the utmost for their fans. I found a newfound respect for solo artists because, to be honest, it does get a little lonely but I’m excited for the challenge.
Come Closer is a smooth, easy listen. LEO’s mellow vocals lull you in, leaving you wanting to hit repeat on the four-track EP. But what sparked this project, and which songs are LEO’s personal faves and who did he reference as inspiration at this time? We had to know!
The Knockturnal: Was there a specific concept or story you wanted to tell with Come Closer? What themes or emotions do you hope listeners will take away from the EP?
LEO: This EP is a story of “firsts”. A story of someone in their early 20s or rather regardless of age, experiencing love for the first time and unfortunately heartbreak for the first time. I hope listeners can feel the story connecting as they listen to the 4 songs.
The Knockturnal: Each song on Come Closer brings something unique. Did any particular track resonate with you the most, and if so, why?
LEO: I personally like ‘Pretty Plzzz’ the most because that is the song I participated in the most in terms of writing-wise. I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with producer Bangs (plus other amazing producers) from the US and had labelmate B.I. helped me with a feature which was also a full-circle moment for me.
Watch the ‘Pretty Plzzz (Feat. B.I.)‘ MV below!
The Knockturnal: Your collaboration with B.I. on ‘Pretty Plzzz’ is fantastic! Beyond the song, he also contributed lyrics to ‘Farewell.’ What was your experience working with B.I., and did he offer any valuable advice as a labelmate?
LEO: I think rather than words of advice which he does give me, I learn more by watching and observing how much effort and love is needed to be an artist.
The Knockturnal: ‘Pretty Plzzz’ and ‘One Look‘ showcase your songwriting and production skills. Can you tell us more about your creative contributions to the entire EP?
LEO: It was an amazing experience working with different writers and producers on this EP. It was a learning experience and lit a fire within me to become a better writer and creator.
The Knockturnal: Your vocals on the EP seamlessly blend coolness with softness. Were there any specific artists or songs that influenced your approach? Who inspires you musically these days?
LEO: I have a lot of artists that have influenced me throughout the years. I can’t say they inspired specific songs on the EP but I love artists like Troye Sivan, Justin Bieber and Bryson Tiller. If I had to say about one song, ‘Farewell’ was actually the song that really has a lot of B.I’s influences.
LEO’s passion for his craft is undeniable. It takes incredible drive to stay motivated on such a long journey, and that’s something we wanted to delve into. With this release being a major milestone, LEO’s clearly got his sights set on even bigger goals. He opened up about his artistic vision and how his fans play a role in his exciting future.
The Knockturnal: If you could offer advice to your 17-year-old self that was just starting this musical journey, what would it be?
LEO: Just keep writing songs. Make it a habit and never lose touch with your skills is what I would say. And also to not be scared of putting your music out there!
The Knockturnal: As you continue your solo journey, what are your aspirations for the next few years? Are there dream collaborations or performance venues you have in mind?
LEO: I think the main goal for me is to blossom as a musician. I want the world to see me and in my heart I want the world to listen to as many of my songs as possible. I know it’s a step-by-step process and it’ll be a lot of work but I’m excited to show the world what I have!
The Knockturnal: As a solo artist, how do you plan to connect and interact with your fans moving forward? Are there things you’ve learned from your fans that have influenced your music or career?
LEO: I want to be as close to them as possible both physically and emotionally. I don’t want them to feel distant from me but close enough like family. My happiness and struggles are directly connected with them and theirs are connected with me.
LEO’s not just about the killer music and smooth vocals – he’s got undeniable style too! “One look” at his Instagram feed shows he’s on top of the latest fashion trends. We had to ask him about his current favorites!
The Knockturnal: Throwing in a fun one before we close things off! Your fans love your cool-guy image! Are there any current fashion trends you’re digging or want to highlight?
LEO: I love the tight T-shirt baggy pants look these days! I am so glad that it is back on trend, and it is a look I tried to highlight in Come Closer.
The Knockturnal: Lastly, Come Closer is a fantastic start! Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans, both existing and new?
LEO: Thank you so much for being by my side is what I would like to say. I have so much in store for them and I have no doubt I will blow their minds in the near future! I’d do anything for them!
Motivated by the love from mentors like B.I. and his dedicated fans, LEO is set to make big waves with his unique sound and future releases. We’re thrilled to be part of his journey with this first EP, Come Closer, and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next – the bar is already set high!
For more of LEO:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY
Photo Credit: 131 (ONE THREE ONE)
