“PHOLKS” is a vibrant, soulful exploration of love, independence, and emotional complexity.
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TOP 5 SONGS
5. Lone Wolf
“Lone Wolf” closes things out with grit and grace.
The production attached to “Lone Wolf” leans more toward R&B and hip-hop textures—smooth, deep, and layered, with a quiet confidence. Leon Thomas talks about a woman who embraces solitude here, but not in a sad way — more in a self-aware, powerful way. She’s for herself, not really meant to fit with anyone else.
4batz’s verse adds richness and texture, grounding the track with a cool, detached delivery that balances Leon’s emotional tone. The voicemail outro — a mantra from a woman’s voice — ties it all together beautifully, leaving the project on a note that feels both mysterious and grounding.
4. Feel Alive
“Feel Alive” begins in a haze.
Soft, moody chords that open into a deep neo-soul groove. It’s about finding life, energy, and clarity in a woman’s presence. She becomes his escape, his healing, his peace.
The spoken verse adds a confessional layer, making the track feel even more personal, like a late-night monologue set to rhythm. There’s a beautiful contradiction here: the song feels calm, yet it’s bursting with passion. It’s one of those tracks that lingers — not just in your ears, but in your chest.
3. Trapped
From the very first notes, “Trapped” commands attention.
It’s dark, edgy, and a little dangerous — a fusion of R&B and alternative rock that hits hard. Leon tells the story of a woman caught in a relationship that doesn’t serve her, with a man who can’t match her energy or her worth. The tension in the production mirrors the tension in the lyrics — fuzzy guitar, heavy drums, and a lingering sense of frustration. It’s sultry, moody, and rebellious all at once, showing Leon’s ability to blend genres without losing the soul of his storytelling.
2. My Muse
This one is sensual, poetic, and painfully honest.
Leon sings about another man’s woman — someone who has become his creative obsession. She’s beautiful, elegant, and magnetic, the kind of person who pulls inspiration out of you without even trying. Though he knows he can’t have her, he can’t help but pour his admiration into song. There’s a pleading in his tone that feels old-school R&B — tender but tortured. The production glides along warm basslines and silky guitar riffs, giving the track a timeless quality that feels both nostalgic and new.
1. Just How You Are
This track is funky as hell, and I love it.
Leon brings that confident, sexy energy he does best — smooth vocals over a groove that feels like it’s straight out of a neo-funk dream. But beneath the flirtatious tone is a sting: the song’s about a cold-hearted girl, someone ungrateful and unappreciative. She takes his love for granted, leaving him feeling small, unseen, and never enough. That emotional complexity wrapped in such a playful, vibrant sound is what makes Leon so unique. It’s both a jam and a confession — irresistible, but laced with hurt.
SONG BY SONG RATING
Just How You Are (4/5)
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Check out the individual track ratings we gave—these are what we used to calculate the overall score
RGM RATING
(79%)
Leon Thomas blends funk, R&B, and alternative textures with effortless precision, delivering a project that feels personal yet universally relatable. His storytelling is vivid — each track feels like a short film, rich with character and mood. There’s humor, heartbreak, lust, and reflection all woven through, but what ties it together is Leon’s honesty. He doesn’t just sing about love; he dissects it, questions it, and sometimes mourns it.
What makes PHOLKS so captivating is its versatility. Leon shifts between genres, tones, and emotions without losing his identity. The record moves from dark, rock-infused passion to smooth, late-night introspection, keeping listeners engaged the whole way through. It’s proof of Leon’s artistic growth — confident, daring, and fully in his element. PHOLKS isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a mood board for every version of love — the messy, the magnetic, and the misunderstood.
Ileyah is a mom, a writer and a musician. She loves late nights and gluten free snacks.
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