Small talk can be draining, there are few things worse than having to pretend to care about the mundanities of a friend of a friend of your friend’s life while engaging in stilted conversation as you both rack your mind for any excuse to exit the interaction. “The weather’s been good lately hey”, “Ja, it’s been good bru”, “Otherwise, you well?”, this sort of mundane chit-chat that we are expected to partake in to conform to social norms might come easy to some but for many of us it is as painful as pulling a pesky hangnail. Last Friday, multifaceted artist and rising Electro-Pop star LoveLeo returned with “Big Talk” an anthemic track that questions the superficial nature of social interactions. “Big Talk” is the second and final single of his highly anticipated EP “Strongest Man Alive” which is set for release in October. “Often in social settings, I find myself having slightly different versions of the exact same conversation again and again,” LoveLeo shares, explaining the inspiration behind the track.

The tongue-in-cheek yet poignant lyrics explore his desire for more substance-filled and meaningful conversations. Sonically the track feels like the lovechild of The Dare and LCD Soundsystem with its high energy, synth-driven production and feels like a further exploration of the recent wave of Indie Sleaze revival spearheaded by the likes of Snow Strippers, Frost Children and of course The Dare. Loud, fuzzy synth lines soar over a driving drum machine, complemented by a woozy bass line creating a soundscape that feels like something out of a Skins episode. LoveLeo’s distinctive vocal style, a slightly autotuned tenor yelp and sardonic delivery paint a clear picture of his frustration at being caught in yet another dull conversation. The song’s hook—”Small talk is too small for me, I need big talk, baby, like sex on TV”—is a provocative call for substance over superficiality.

The accompanying music video is a comedic, infomercial-inspired cut offering his six-step “Strongest Man Alive Program”, guaranteed to help you become the best version of yourself. The 90’s Verimark ad-style parody is a perfect accompaniment for the nostalgic Electro-Pop sounds of the track. LoveLeo’s star has been steadily rising since his 2019 debut. His breakout single “BOYFREN” hit #1 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart, amassing over 100 million streams. He’s collaborated with Rico Nasty on “TUNG TIED” (1.5M YouTube views) and made a guest appearance on Netflix’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” His touring resume includes support slots for Slayyyter, Still Woozy, and Polo & Pan, with performances at notable venues like The Novo (LA), Avant Gardner (NY), and 9:30 Club (DC). As part of the “Strongest Man Alive” EP rollout, LoveLeo has launched an ambitious, self-directed social media campaign blending music, comedy, and visual storytelling.

Fans can dive deeper into LoveLeo’s world of self-improvement, comedy, and vulnerability through his interactive website. THE CUT described LoveLeo as “an otherworldy Gen Z Freddie Mercury…” a fitting comparison given his out-there fashion sense, willingness to experiment and knack for crafting catchy hooks. If “Big Talk” is anything to go by the “Strongest Man Alive” EP promises to be an exciting next chapter of development to his unique and irresistible sound and aesthetic. I for one am waiting with feverish anticipation to hear what Leo has been cooking with this one. If you are a fan of the likes of Charli xcx, The Dare and LCD Soundsystem then I highly recommend you give this track a listen. “Big Talk” is available now on all major streaming platforms.