(4 / 5)
With “HOWL”, Los Angeles r&b artist Lee Lewis delivers a compelling and emotionally rich project that marks him out as a rising voice in contemporary soul and r&b.
Honest, introspective and beautifully crafted, the EP sees Lee transforming personal struggles into a powerful statement of self-discovery and resilience.
Blending warm vintage soul, r&b, trip-hop and subtle pop influences, “HOWL” explores themes of identity, healing and emotional growth. As a young Black queer artist, Lee Lewis channels his lived experiences into deeply vulnerable songwriting, creating a collection that feels both intimate and universally relatable.
Raised in Ladera Heights, Los Angeles, Lee grew up immersed in music and later studied classical voice, earning a degree in vocal performance from the University of Cincinnati. That technical foundation is evident throughout “HOWL”, where polished vocals meet genuine emotional expression.
Drawing inspiration from artists including Sam Cooke, Jill Scott, Luther Vandross, Portishead and Amy Winehouse, Lee has created a sound that feels timeless yet distinctly his own. Supported by co-writer Bijou Choder and producer youthxl/Roméo, “HOWL” is a confident, cohesive release that showcases both artistic maturity and enormous potential.
Across the six tracks, Lee carefully charts the emotional arc of a relationship in decline. Opener “Forever & You” captures the difficulty of letting go, pairing heartfelt devotion with an underlying sense of inevitability. “Your Love (What I’m Dying From)” digs deeper into the tension between love and self-destruction, exploring the tendency to return to what hurts us most.
His reimagining of Nelly Furtardo’s “Maneater”, which she says is influenced by the Hall & Oates song of the same name, adds a fresh layer of perspective, transforming a familiar cautionary tale into something far more personal and introspective. On “White Flag”, Lee examines the push-and-pull of toxic attraction, where surrender and resistance become increasingly difficult to separate.
“The Long Way” serves as one of the EP’s most self-aware moments, acknowledging not only the flaws of a partner, but also his own role in the cycle, before the closing track. “Bitter” finally arrives with a sense of hard-won clarity and emotional release. Driven by Lee’s rich vocal harmonies and unflinching lyricism, the song captures the moment when acceptance finally replaces struggle. He reflects on the emotional battles that have defined a relationship, confronting the painful realisation that what was once perceived as love had become something damaging and unsustainable.
Rather than celebrating victory, “Bitter” finds strength in walking away, embracing self-preservation and hard-earned clarity over continued sacrifice. It’s a poignant and deeply human conclusion that perfectly encapsulates the EP’s themes of healing, self-worth and personal empowerment.
With growing recognition on both sides of the Atlantic, Lee Lewis’ latest offering feels like a significant step forward for an artist rapidly coming into his own.
“HOWL” is a captivating collection that balances strength with sensitivity, offering a compelling portrait of an artist who has not only survived the fire, but emerged from it transformed.
By Manja Williams
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
(3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’ (4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
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