Daniel Leon - Soul On Fire (Album)

In the midst of saying goodbye to the year 2021, Davies Entertainment crooner Daniel Leon had made a post on his Instagram page that shared details about his upcoming debut album titled “Soul On Fire.” He announced a release date; cover art shot and edited with a red hue by Michael McKenzie & the excitement to finally share this project with the world. Fans of his music had been craving a follow-up to his breakthrough single “Anchor” & had waited patiently to hear it, which now they have something to look forward to entering February 2022. I had the pleasure of enjoying a preview of the album before its initial release, and I couldn’t wait to share my feelings about it since it’s truly a remarkable listening experience and one of the most gifted releases that the city has seen this far.

I walked into this album thinking we would be getting a soft-spoken ballad for the introduction, but I was mistaken once “Love Tonight” started playing. Daniel Leon switched up the tempo with an infectious chorus that follows gracefully with a groove that’ll have your feet tapping and your hips gyrating throughout the record. In the record, he’s expressing you to understand your the only girls he’s chasing. He’s searched throughout the globe for a replacement and has not come too close to anyone like you. Just give him one night to show you, and he guarantees by the end of the evening you’ll be his to cherish. It’s a deep record, and Daniel is wearing his heart on his sleeve, which I’m sure isn’t going anywhere since we’ll be getting to more records like this throughout the album. This track being the intro starts it out on a significant peak, and I’m assuring y’all right now there’s more to take it beyond the heavens. He places “Anchor” as the second record on the project, and while we’ve spoken previously of the track, it still holds water as being a soaring release. Now the next record, “Time,” is a special joint and possibly one of the highlights of Daniel’s versatility where the beat starts with a country vibe that transitions into a gospel feel that ends up being an R&B sound but the fact that the production makes your mind wander before experiencing the bursting nature of Daniel’s vocals it could easily be put in any of those categories and succeed in it tremendously. He follows back in the groove similar to the intro with “Find A Way,” where he’s explaining that he & his love interest keep coming back to each other but don’t seem to progress forward as he wants. He’s looking to find possible outcomes that have them meeting again and, at the moment, keep it that way forever. Another grandeur record, and we’re still climbing during this listening encounter. I think it’s safe to say that whenever you see an interlude on a project, then best believe the artist is spilling their soul on the record because here Daniel creates an ethereal feeling from start to finish that will instantly keep you stupefied continuing your path upward on the album. “Don’t Go” & “Grass Ain’t Greener” go hand to hand in terms of cadence, but in topic of discussion is where they fall differently from each other. With “Don’t Go,” he feels like the situation in his relationship is misunderstood, and that’s what seems to be breaking it. He fights for her to hear his call of her not to go, and while he thinks it may not be enough for her to stay, he will try with every breath in his body. “Grass Isn’t Greener” is the concept of believing something so good to be accurate, and while you hope for the best, you're now seeing it in a different light, and it’s leading to misery with wicked intent. Two powerful tracks that sit nicely on the album together actually change the style leading to the end. “Moving On” is that country tune with how the production and Daniel’s vocal flow within and when speaking of the subject matter of not being in the positive headspace anymore where it’s time he moves on to better himself & his psyche. Now with the next track, “Good Day,” he’s sitting on a paramount R&B record where the feeling mimics a bit of Badu & D’Angelo yet with a unique touch curated by Daniel & assistance by Duco to make this a genuine collaborative creation. The outro titled “P.W.M. is speaking on the realism of Daniel’s needs and vices to get through life. While he sees others around him making different changes in their life they feel are necessary, he’s okay to have the things that mean the most to him around constantly. He’s good with how things are going since he’s living in the moment, and while needing these specific requirements, he’s okay with keeping them only in the long run. It’s the perfect way to end the album since it ends with a personable release and stacks up well with the previously mentioned joints. Daniel Leon has something different with this album; it’s not comparable to anything now, it’s sitting on its own, and I can understand why he was excited to release this to the world since I know this will be graded as one of the finest pieces of music that the city has seen and an instant classic that will be cherished for years to come. 

Before the album dropped, he had plans to perform some of the records that was halted due to health issues. I’m hoping once he’s in better health, a new date will be made to see some of these tracks in a live setting. I know a lot more is in store, so I all I can say is stay tuned to his socials for announcements but in the meantime, be sure to find some time in your day and listen to the album. I know you’ll find enjoyment listening to the album while we hope you introduce someone new to it by sharing it around on all social media avenues.