Leona Naess returns with new single after 14 year pause

Last updated on February 18th, 2022 at 09:28 pm

Good things come to those that wait.

For some of us, that’s meant a 14-year gap of music from British singer-songwriter and now New York resident Leona Naess. Leona burst onto the scene in 2000 with her first hit single “Charm Attack“. Comparable to Feist, Edie Brickell, and Patti Smith, Leona’s music found places on TV soundtracks, singing backup vocals on a Counting Crows album, tours with Ray LaMontagne, and even a brief engagement to troubled Ryan Adams.

After releasing 4 albums and with a baby boy on the way, Leona stepped away from music in 2010. It was until May of 2019 that she emerged once again at a one-night-only show at Symphony Space in NYC. A show I flew to and sat in the front row for, fighting for the lone set-list at the end. Dusting off her catalog, she mixed in a few new songs, quietly announcing a future return.

Now at 47 years old, Leana Naess has officially returned with “Name Across The Sky”. Her voice still characteristically sweet and soft while holding an edge in the lyrics, the song immediately hearkens back feelings of nostalgia to her first releases. The pre-chorus with her trailing off wisp that signifies her style. The chorus dives into a fast line of gum-drop lyrics, urging you to quickly remember them so you can sing along next round. 

The song speaks of a hope that time away from someone can change things. As one person holds onto love and expectations that changing seasons means advancement, the other remains blind and stubborn.

Name Across The Sky

“Name Across The Sky” carries Leona’s identity in the sound, with an airy loftiness and clever relatable lyrics while moving forward in a renewed pop sound. The video is aptly recorded in 4:3, not widescreen, a cheeky homage to phone screens we all now use to watch and communicate with. 

As we always want to find that Minnesota connection, you don’t have to look far. Leona received her first guitar at the age of 14, a gift from her mother. The first song she learned to play was “The Cross” by none other than Prince. In a perfect world, the hope would that a new album means a new tour, which means a performance in Minnesota, covering that song once again. Until then, I’ll be writing your name in the sky.

Good things come to those that wait.