Learning To Live by Rival Summers
I am more than happy to invite you guys to hear what I’ve been working on for the past few months. I’ve put so much of myself into these songs, and they really mean the world to me. I’m really excited for you to finally listen to them.
This is Learning To Live. I really hope you like it.
The Story Behind “Learning To Live”: Part One & Part Two
Leo, who is the sole mastermind behind Rival Summers, presents a simple formula to his music: (mostly) acoustic pop songs, heart-on-sleeve lyrics, sugar sweet vocals. In theory, the radio station I work at gets albums with identical formulas monthly and I’ve heard hundreds of musicians like him to begin with. Leo is just so passionate and in constant wonder of music though, it just bleeds through any sort of preconceived opinions on acoustic dudes post-Dashboard Confessional. Learning To Live, his second full length, doesn’t challenge acoustic music as we know or cover uncharted lyrical topics, but it excites the notion that Leo is placing his bid for stardom in these ten songs. “Before The Sun Goes Down”, my personal favorite, is Leo attempting (and succeeding) at broadening his vocal delivery. “Up Until Now” is the kind of country-tinged pop chorus that mainstream radio swoons for, yet is absolutely sincere in its presentation. By the time closer “Tired Eyes” came around, I realized the shy musician I interviewed a year ago had largely evolved in that time.
Maybe I hold a bias because of an interview I’ve had with him, but Leo’s one of the most sincere, young singer-songwriters out there. I doubt the bias holds though because the genuineness comes through Learning to Live’s 10 songs. Definitely give a listen to the stream above and, if you like it, buy it and wait to brag to your friends when he’s getting signed and topping charts.
