Laurence León finds clarity & warmth on his beautiful record, "Cocoon"
With Cocoon, East London-based artist Laurence León has crafted a record that feels like the exhale after years of holding one’s breath. Written over the course of three years, this nine-track, 33-minute album is genre-bending beauty that does such a fantastic job of switching the sound up, all the while creating something perfectly original and fresh to himself.
León’s multicultural roots emerge subtly but unmistakably in the textures of his music. Mediterranean-tinged guitar lines ripple alongside indie folk strums, while atmospheric production choices evoke the expansive experimentation of Radiohead. The result is a landscape that feels familiar yet fresh, a blend that pays homage to his influences while never losing sight of his own voice. The instrumentation leans heavily on reverbed moments that create a dreamlike atmosphere, but León anchors these with acoustic textures to ground it all.
His vocals undoubtedly carry the emotional heart of the record. There’s no urgency to push or overstate but instead his delivery invites listeners in, letting the weight of each lyric build naturally. At times hushed, at times cutting through the mix with force, León’s voice is a study in restraint.
Like Björk’s Vespertine, which León cites as a “guiding spirit”, Cocoon thrives in its ability to capture fleeting, blissful states of awareness. Yet while the album draws from such inspiration, it’s no mere pastiche. It flows as a complete experience, weaving together indie rock, folk, and atmospheric flourishes into something that feels entirely personal.
The true accomplishment of Cocoon is how it balances introspection with openness. It feels like a record written for oneself, yet it resonates outwardly, as if inviting listeners into the same process of healing and awakening. You can seriously feel the amount of time and effort that went into this. Not a microsecond goes by where there’s a shred of wasted space.
Laurence León has created a record that glows from the inside out. Cocoon is a reminder that growth often comes quietly, unfolding in layers, until one day you find yourself waking with the kind of clarity that only time can bring. It’s an album to sit with, to breathe with, and to carry with you long after it ends. We suggest you give it an uninterrupted listen by clicking those links below. Make sure to follow along as well to stay tuned for the latest!
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