Fred Lessore - 'Quietly Drowning'

South East London-based songwriter and musician Fred Lessore reflects on his experiences with depression on soul-searching new offering, ‘Quietly Drowning’.

‘Quietly Drowning’ opens vocal-free with an affecting acoustic guitar melody and subtle synth. This allows Fred Lessore to create a tender and comforting soundscape ahead of the introduction of his rich and initially gentle vocal. Lessore’s lyrics are the focal point of the song, unveiling themselves as an unrushed stream of consciousness. His considered words allowing his listener into an intimate confessional of internal pain and loneliness.

This is more than a gentle acoustic song though. There’s a really familiar, buoyant bassline to the track which adds an upbeat pop-centric feeling to the chorus, challenging the pain within the song. Lessore’s use of electronics are cleverly created to soothe and soften alongside the changing tone and emotion to his vocal. They are additionally used to add to the urgency of the song, seeing, intense blasts of synth ricochet alongside the more conflicted, painful moments of Lessore’s introspection.

While the production is impressive. Lessore’s adaptable vocal and heartfelt storytelling are the most startlingly brilliant feature of the song, often drawing similarities to the authenticity and richness of Tracy Chapman. Lessore can vocally transition from raw, broken and distressed, to controlled and blissful, to merciful, to defeated. almost effortlessly. This draws his listener deeper into empathising with, and being moved by, the poignant message he is sending out in the most genuine of ways.

“The motives behind ‘Quietly Drowning’ are clearly deeper than pure entertainment. At a time where every waking moment has a filter and an expiration date, Quietly Drowning defiantly shows its truest self from the get go. The song encourages the listener to not only respond to the experience of depression in an honest way but to also appreciate the beauty in the struggles that affect us all.” - Fred Lessore.

Words of Karla Harris