Foxy Leopard's The Call: A Quiet Summons from the Smoke of History
Foxy Leopard takes its time introducing The Call. There is a sense of longing in the piece, like the sound of an old radio continually getting warmed up and becoming staticy. It is reminiscent of a warm beer on a cold day or dirt falling on top of a previously burnt-out structure.
When the piece was originally written two years ago, the first draft was written at the same time as an experiment in writing within the confines of what had once served as a shop in Quebec (Canada). The Call was the first start of what would ultimately become a much longer trajectory that will provide the backbone of the developing story arc to the forthcoming album, Shadows on the Road. This is not simply a number which was going to produce some momentum when time permits; rather it was the catalyst for the introduction of the character into the overall narrative.
Foxy Leopard utilizes history, but in a very unconventional manner, unlike many other recordings of that era. It is factual as opposed to romanticised, in terms of depicting the realities of the Civil War in the United States. The piece begins by presenting what are the elements that resulted in the war, which is of course the institution of slavery, followed by the vast loss of human lives, both former slaves and soldiers who fought for the freedom of others, as well as those who would later fight for that freedom.
The weight of this issue permeates the lyrical content, but it also represents an obligation to address this inhuman treatment of an entire race. The heaviness of the lyrics can be felt in the way the melody moves, almost allowing the listener to be aware of every step taken through a field of thick smoke, while being cautious about where one places one's foot down next.
With an emphasis on honesty and authenticity, FOXY LEOPARD has created an album that feels like an extension of themselves rather than an extension of their music.
The CALL embodies this ideal with its raw sounds that reflect the raw quality of the artist's life. When listening to The Call, you can truly feel how close and real the relationship between the artist and the listener is and how much more can be communicated through music than simply by talking about feelings.
With this openness of expression, you can feel that everything in The Call was thought out. From the very beginning to the very end, the song structure corresponds with a psychological development of the character as he works through the process of becoming who he is meant to be.
The sound is presented in various states, such as graininess and blur in order to create a certain atmosphere and feeling. The sound has been crafted to evoke an atmosphere that makes one feel something after leaving (or after arriving) home.
The lyrics "Can you hear the Change?" are an invitation for the listener to join this process of evolution and transformation, asking them if they want to "hear" or be part of this journey.
FOXY LEOPARD is offering Trust to the listener. They ask you to believe that the meaning of what they have created will be revealed to you through a long process of listening and interaction with their music, which also means that trust in their artistry and music will continue to grow over time. If you are willing to take that step into the unknown and walk alongside FOXY LEOPARD on this journey, then you will be part of something amazing.