Hailing from Cincinnati, Leggy are a self-described ‘lush punk’ trio consisting of Veronique Allaer (guitar/vocals), Kerstin Bladh (bass/vocals) and Chris Campbell (drums). Their self-titled debut album, which was remastered in 2017 on Damnably Records, earned them a fair heap of praise. And with good reason. Leggy’s confident, energetic brand of punk rock possesses an inner tension, both the sound and Allaer’s lyrics having a tautness that always appears on the verge of snapping, lending an atmosphere that is both engaging and slightly volatile, a provocative spirit that threatens to unravel at any moment.
Taking this sensibility and pushing further into experimental directions, Leggy’s forthcoming follow-up, Let Me Know Your Moon promises to see the trio realise their aesthetic more fully. Single ‘Taffy’ is a perfect case in point, racing out of the blocks with a real urgency as the vocals rise and fall amidst the tumult, breaking patterns and conventions in favour of more intuitive shapes. Focusing on interpersonal relationships, Allaer’s delivery veers between a desperate wordiness and plain-spoken mantras, meaning that the self-assurance displayed in one moment can descend (or evolve) into a manic rant within seconds. This brings into relief the grey area between people where communication is not possible, a zone where fury, sadness and self-doubt coalesce into a disorientating stupor.
“Why do I still pout?
I pray to be content with all these goodly things I’ve found.
You fit like a glove but still I push you away.
Why do I do that my love?
Can’t you tell that it scares me when you say you will do anything for me
and I can eat you like a saltwater taffy
and I melt in the way you adore me
Boy I told you I’m crazy”