Sonia Leigh 'Counting Skeletons'

Sonia Leigh returns with new music; her first since 2011’s 1978 December. Released independently, Counting Skeletons, draws from Sonia’s varied musical influences to make a cohesive, sonically appealing and diverse EP that melds pop, country and southern rock.

The hit waiting to happen, Dangerous, opens the album. Its old school rock and roll feel immediately grabs you and doesn’t let go. The songs upbeat melody is pared with the story of being with someone who is “a silver lining with bad timing.” “I am redeemed by the grace of the love in your eyes/You’re so kind/I know that it’s wrong to be here/’Cause someone waits for me there/The love of my life”

Missed opportunities and losing the one you love are the focus of the rockin’ Fairytale Dream. “Tell Cinderella that I hope she has a ball/She’ll be dancing like a princess as my teardrops fall.”

She addresses being saved from a bad relationship in Quicksand, and in Fulgurites (yea, I had to look the up the definition) asks a potential lover to stay: “I don’t want you to go home tonight/Please don’t leave this room/It’s magic to be by your side.”

Sonia has the ability to have the listener think about, and question, the meaning of her lyrics, like she does in the title track, Counting Skeletons. With its pounding drums, distorted vocals and slightly eerie tone, Counting Skeletons, is easily the standout track on the EP. I’ll leave its interpretation up to you.

The EP closes out, and slows down, with Alabama. An ode to effect that state (or person?) has on her. “I made a bee line for central standard time/Where I don’t need to dress up to impress/Alabama, you’ve got some kind of charm/Alabama/Those loving arms keep me warm/Every time I fly away a southern wind whispers stay/And I don’t care if it ain’t cool/Alabama, I’m true to you.”

There’s no female voice on radio or otherwise like Sonia Leigh. You’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t pick up this EP.

4.5 Stars

Counting Skeletons will be available on iTunes on June 3rd

For more information visit Sonia Leigh's official website

---