Alejandra O’Leary is a talented singer-songwriter who uses elements of pop, rock and electronic styles to craft of sound that’s entirely her own. Hailing from Portland in Maine, this enduring artist and performer has spent years forging her musical output, working from both her home studio and the Acadia Recording Company.
Her music is a sonic fabric that stitches together a wide array of influences, from Liz Phair to The Strokes, with nods to pop icons like Britney Spears. Her diverse influences shine throughout her work which blends reflective storytelling with memorable melodic writing. Over her decade-and-a-half-long career, Alejandra has built a dedicated fanbase, consistently delivering music that’s always original and consistently compelling.
Her journey in music began in 2009 with the release of her debut album Nothing Out Loud, a record that introduced listeners to her sharp songwriting and knack for blending genres. Since then, she’s steadily released new material, including a string of singles and five full-length records. Her most recent album, Sunlight, released in 2020, showcased a refined and polished sound that reflects her growth as an artist while maintaining the emotional impact and honesty that’s defined her music from the start.
After taking a break from sharing music, Alejandra made her much-anticipated return in 2023 with a trio of singles, signalling a new creative chapter. Now she brings us one of her favourite recordings to date with the song titled “Owen,” lifted from her 2016 record, All I Know.
“Owen” frames a declaration of emotional dependence in a sound of delicate guitar twangs, soft bass lines and laid back rhythmic sway. Capped by her graceful vocal leads carrying catchy melodies and poignant lyrics, the song is truly emblematic of Alejandra O’Leary’s gift for balancing emotional depth with musical dynamism as well as the timeless quality of her sound.
Building from the stripped back intro of pulsing bass notes and quiet percussive taps, Alejandra’s silky voice enters to usher in a shimmering sound of gentle guitars and warm organ textures from musicians Thom Canova and Mark Simonsen. Flowing with breezy aesthetic and building with subtly anthemic energy, “Owen” stands as a stunning example of her songwriting charm and stellar performance ability, offering a delightful snapshot of her sound from years ago while she continues to impress with her new material.
Commenting on the song, she shares, “Owen is a super special song to me personally, one of my favorites that I’ve ever recorded. I love how it builds and morphs, I love its playfulness and its wistful tension. The story of the song resonates a lot with me, I’m always caught between coming and going in love and in georgraphical space, a theme that crops up again a frequently in my work.”
Listen to Owen and a collection of her favourite works below
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