Canberra-based Country/Pop artist Leila returns with her new single “Heart and Soul”, which we are thrilled to be premiering today ahead of its official release tomorrow.
Earlier last year, we had the pleasure of premiering Leila’s single “Do Without”, a beautifully earnest track that captured uncertainty, growth and the emotional noise of late teens and early twenties. With “Heart and Soul”, Leila continues to write from that same honest and reflective space, but this time the message feels more defiant: trust yourself, back your dreams, and don’t let someone else decide the path for you.
Opening with drums and acoustic guitar, “Heart and Soul” begins with an intimate, stripped-back feel, allowing Leila’s vocals to sit front and centre. From there, the track gradually opens up into a fuller band arrangement, giving the song a lift that mirrors its message of self-belief and emotional release. There’s a sense of someone choosing themselves in real time, moving from frustration and people-pleasing into something far more assured.
Lyrically, “Heart and Soul” is for anyone who has felt pulled between what they want and what others expect of them. Lines such as “I’m sick of trying to please you” and “I want to take control and listen to my heart and soul” cut straight to the core of the song: the importance of tuning out outside noise and following the thing that feels right.
Leila explains:
“I wrote ‘Heart and Soul’ for anyone chasing a dream or trying to carve out their own path, finding themselves running into outside critics who tell them that they should chase something different. I hope this inspires the listener to chase what they love and believe in themselves whole heartedly, as life is too short and tomorrow is never promised.
I wrote this song about my own experience, and writing it was really healing and fulfilling. I’m honoured to share this song with the world and I hope it meets the listener where they are.”
The single is also the title track from Leila’s forthcoming four-track EP Heart And Soul, set for release on Friday, 23rd October. Describing the EP as some of her “proudest and vulnerable work to date”, Leila is clearly stepping into a new chapter with confidence, openness and a firm sense of who she is as an artist.
“Heart and Soul” is out tomorrow, Friday, 3rd July. Take an exclusive first listen below.
You can keep up to date with Leila via her Website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music
Header image credit: Georgia Arndell
