Canadian singer/songwriter Leila Dey recently put out her DETOUR EP and now she returns with a 19-minute visual EP that chronicles the highlights of the project. The result is a visual journey that runs through the making of the EP, from different locations, engaging storyboarding and interpretations that tie the songs together in a seamless manner. The Toronto-raised singer teamed up with producers such as Giangelo Power and Aaron Paris who help her with layering varied tempo and “boom-bap” infused sounds that aptly suits the scenes which weave between clubs, car rides, and races.
Director Meeka McLean leaves no stone unturned and pulls out all the stops to bring the EP to life with excellent set pieces, costumes, and performance shots. From the get-go, Leila Dey leads the charge as the cinematic visual starts off with a short reflective narration and her getting on the road. The first song that comes in is the celebratory "Blessed," which sees the singer in her element as she counts her wins. The clip uses an all-white backdrop that complements Leila's edgy style. The follow-up track "Passenger" is a love-soaked tune ripe with sultry melodic runs and heartfelt lyrics. This is bolstered by a clip that continues her journey on the road with a few stops here and there with her partner. This leads into the evening with the sensual "Mars" where she expresses her wants from her man. It's made up of moody lighting and a steamy session with her man that slowly fades into the night. The journey takes a sour turn on "The Switch" where Leila and her partner have a disagreement and viewers get a glimpse of the past that shows the true origin of their relationship.
Overall, we need to acknowledge the thought and effort that went into this, from the seamless transitions, connecting stories and subtle homages to Toronto, and the familiar coding of old school R&B/Pop icons like Aaliyah and Janet regarding the wardrobe choices. There is so much to unwrap from the visual content and lyricism on The Detour Visual EP and viewers would definitely appreciate her unique take on classic R&B with a splash of hip-hop. Leila adds that the EP is her own take on Beyonce's Lemonade and her own personal experiences with love, heartbreak, and broken relationships.
Get The Detour EP on Spotify and Bandcamp.
Connect with Leila Dey: Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter |Linktree | Instagram
