The Next Chapter
Lex Leosis
Mythologies
Following the release of their debut (and, to date, sole) collective project, the Sorority started a wave that unexpectedly swept the one-time foursome-turned-threesome of Haviah Mighty, Keysha Freshh and Lex Leosis into a two-year odyssey of upper-echelon CanCon notoriety. With the group now in quasi-limbo, and with the other members having let listeners into their worlds via postSorority solo efforts, Lex Leosis is finally planting her flag with Mythologies.
The project has three distinct sounds that gently transition through the overarching concept of the Greek mythological fates — moving from life, to destiny and, finally, death. Along the way, Lex puts her confident songwriting on display as she experiments with a wide range of sounds and vibes that make the album incredibly wellrounded. Longtime fans will recognize the aesthetic of the first half of the album; the smooth vibe of the André Paxton-produced “Ouzo” stands as one of the project’s most rewind-worthy moments. The Yondo-produced “Gemini,” featuring Benita Singh, is also a pivotal track, baring her soul, and adding an unmistakable vulnerability to her pen game as she clears the air about her bisexuality. As feelings fade, and Lex’s energy explodes, we get high-octane braggadocious gut punches like “Se Miso,” featuring Snotty Nose Rez Kids, “Mind Your Business,” and “Part 2,” featuring Patrik.
Lex’s first body of work, 2017’s Tomboy, channelled her ability to hone her cipher-minded upbringing in the game into bops and bangers. The growth she’s had in the three years since its release is what makes Mythologies shine. It elevates Lex Leosis the rapper to Lex Leosis the artist, curating a collection of emotionally charged songs that all feel strong as pieces and even more potent as a whole. With her Sorority days behind her, Lex proves that she’s able to hold it down on her own. (Independent)
How did it feel to put it all on the table with ”Gemini”?
It’s an intense track. I was very nervous about releasing it, because I had to come out to my whole family before it dropped. I told them all differently. My parents are divorced, so I told them all one on one.
How did the Sorority experience change you as an artist?
Sorority made me level up; that album was the first thing that I was a part of that was legit. I had no idea what marketing looked like or what it was like being in the studio with a producer and not recording in my bedroom.
How was your process for Mythologies different?
This is my first real project in which I controlled every little thing. Like, the beats are not from BeatStars, I worked with producers from scratch. Also, it’s conceptual. So it was a tremendous accomplishment for me. It took me three years to figure it all out and level up every aspect of what I was doing. through the sounds of the kulintang, sarunay, agong and gadingan, gonglike instruments originating from the Southern Philippines.
Because of its placement in the farther reaches of the electronic and R&B genres, it was imperative that every track in this full-length album stood out individually. Confidently,
Pantayo soar above and redefine this challenge. The record contains tracks that constantly reframe the kulintang ensemble from the instrumental “Bronsé” to tracks that mix the sounds tastefully underneath the vocals, like the delicate, higher-timbred sarunay in “Divine.”
The lyrical content, a mix of Eng