June 2, 2025 |
Releasing her debut album Levels last Friday, the French-born Léa Sen, who made the move to London in 2019, is carving her own unique space in the city’s music scene. Drawing on elements of trip-hop, experimental pop and R&B, the singer’s intoxicating brand of songwriting embraces the experimental without feeling inexperienced.
The 10 tracks that comprise Levels, named as such to reference an imaginary hotel whereby every floor represents a different stage of Sen’s life, each feels like a symptom of a far-reaching palette built from years of musical immersion. Indeed, Sen’s upbringing was soundtracked by the sounds that spilt out from her musician father’s studio, which stood next door to their home. She was given her first guitar when she was 15, following in the musical footsteps of her brothers who were also keen fans of jazz and pop. This long-term connection to music is evident in Sen’s ability to produce a varied collection of tracks from the 1980s-inspired Ghostwriter to the tender opener Home Alone; each melody accompanied by words that show off Sen’s knack for storytelling. The buzzy drug of one’s first love, Covid-19-era isolation and nostalgia-hued escapism are all explored in the lyrics Sen manages to pen with elements of both personal exploration and widespread relatability.
Here, we sat down with Sen to hear more about what went into creating the album, what she’s learned about herself since making it and which level from the imaginary hotel is her favourite.
1. How would you describe your sound in just a sentence?
It’s a mix of raw storytelling, acoustic guitar, and evolving production that reflects my constant exploration of emotions and sound.
2. Describe Levels in three words.
Raw, reflective, evolving.
3. Which track from the album feels most personal to you – and why?
Probably Water Smoke because it captures a really vulnerable moment in my life – the doubt and intuition in a relationship. Too many times I have been validated that my intuition was in fact real. Reminder to never second guess yourself.
4. You’ve described the album like a hotel – which room is your favourite?
The bathroom. It’s so safe, there’s always a lock, there’s hot water to relax and I get my best ideas in the shower
5. What’s something you’ve learned about yourself through making this album?
I’ve learned to embrace uncertainty and trust the process more – I’m not as lost as I thought I was, and I can handle the messiness
6. What excites you most about performing this album live?
You forget real people listen to the songs intently until it’s that moment in a show where you see them sing the words. I just can’t wait honestly. I fall in love every time.
7. What’s the song you have on repeat right now?
Bitches by Louis Cole. I’m actually playing it right now.
8. What’s the most unexpected song or artist on your playlist right now?
Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton. I just love a Christmas album man. And I love Dolly.
9. Who would be your top five dinner guests, dead or alive?
Hayao Miyazaki, Joni Mitchell, my mum, Keanu Reeves, Cornel West.
10. If the album were a colour, what colour would it be?
Pink Carnation.
Photography by Claryn Chong.
