Leoni Jane Kennedy- Synthetic- Progressive Voyages Review

Finally some 3 years on from her New World Woman Album of acoustic Rush covers we finally get to hear Leoni's unique, Intimate yet deeply Personal first album of self composed material with this shortish album. 7 track Synthetic album lasting for just 34 minutes.

Those of you expecting a shredfest will be slightly disappointed possibly as whilst there is a lot of guitar on this album it is used mainly to colour and enhance the songs rather than as a shoot to kill tactic.

This I feel shows a real level,of maturity in her personality, Sure Leoni can shred very eloquently, here she chooses not to employ thathere though, Rathermore everything is focused on strengthening and enhancing the song,

I recall Billy Cobham commenting Tommy Bobns shredding on the specrum album where here told Tommy not to blow all his cookies in the first bar that usingrestraint would actually be more effective, I think Leoni might have read that somewhere too as she certainly uses a lot of restraint on this album.

The album commences with the Title track Synthetic, which has a gentle groove, it has an unusual time signatures though so there are its Prog credentials right there, really like this song it sort of creeps up on you and floors you with it strengthband excellence, there are lots of guitar fills contained within the track to satisfy anyone I think, it is a confident and assured song,

This is followed by Closer, again this employs an unusual time signatures shifting between the verses and chorus, I like how the guitar plays arpeggios and powerful riffs in the chorus, there is a neat little guiitar line and solo of solo that really impresses, the refrain of Pray A Little Life Mine Will Mean Something By The End Of Time is very deep and meaningful, I know Leoni has grappled with self confidence and possibly Imposter Syndrome that she masks most effectively, here we see through the cracks tower heart and vulnerability which is extremely brave and Bold of her to expose herself in this maaner.

Sloe is next this seems to be about the desire to find some clarity by seeking solace or refuge in nature with its imagery of walking to the river to see things clearly, again there is an odd time signature employed most effectively.

Jesse is next and hear is where we get to her Leoni unleash a little, especially in the great little lick that she uses between the verses and choruses , This song is very personal indeed and calls on Jesse to give Leoni a reason for living, there is a beautifully lyrical solo in this track.

Test The Water follows and this is a bit more uptempo track, One in which Leoni is commenting on relationships, In that she desires to Test The Waters before getting involved as she values the woman her troubled past has made her., Wisely so as Leoni's star is on the ascendancy and she doesn't want to interfere with that at the present moment, I really like this track a lot it has depth and a deep almost spiritual meaning.

Different Kind Of Woman follows, this is a song about not surrendering to a partners controlling nature, Instead Leoni is a different kind of woman, One who is strong , Confident and doesn't want to be what someone else thinks she should be, again the sound is relatively gentle in tone but there is power hidden or restrained within.

Final song of the album is Temple A song Leoni wrote at the age of 13, it seems to be about expectations that are placed on you whilst younger and how Leoni refuses to be pigeonhole by such expectations instead she is her own Woman and will follow her own route or path, not needing to be put on a pedestal but searching and needing her freedom, there is ia very orchestral feel with subtle strings adding to the sound wonderfully.

Well that it just 7 tracks, What an excellent debut album of intelligently written and crafted songs, Leoni never takes the easy route, instead she has allowed the music to evolve steadily and most impressively, You will need to hear it a few times for the music to really touch your emotions, i would say on the basis of this albumn Leoni is definitely an artist on the ascendancy and one to watch out for, A really fine album, just wish it was a little longer personally.

Info here: www.leonijanekennedy.bandcamp.com

Author John Wenlock-Smith Sunday 5th july 2026.