7/10

There is a fearless energy running through leetham's new EP 'KINK' that feels impossible to ignore. Equal parts confessional diary, dancefloor release, and declaration of selfhood, the four-track collection arrives with the confidence of an artist no longer asking for permission to take up space.

At its core, 'KINK' is a celebration of identity in all its complexity. Throughout its runtime, the EP leans fully into desire, self-expression, and personal freedom. Yet beneath the provocative surface lies a portrait of someone embracing who they are while inviting others to do the same.

Musically, leetham occupies a fascinating space between worlds. The release collides emotionally charged alternative rock with the glossy rush of contemporary pop, creating a sound that feels equally at home in a packed club and an arena-sized singalong. Guitars crash against pulsing electronic production, while infectious hooks arrive wrapped in layers of attitude, vulnerability, and defiance.

But what makes 'KINK' so compelling is its refusal to settle into one mood. One moment, the songs are bursting with euphoria and swagger; the next, they reveal flashes of insecurity and longing. The EP doesn’t present confidence as something effortless or permanent. It feels earned, fought for, and continually rediscovered.

Thematically, the EP serves as both a personal statement and a broader celebration of queer culture. But rather than framing identity through struggle alone, 'KINK' focuses on joy, desire, community, and self-acceptance. There are echoes of modern pop’s most adventurous rule-breakers throughout the project, but leetham never feels derivative.

With this new offering, leetham delivers a mission statement from an artist stepping fully into their identity and creative vision. Bold, colourful, and emotionally open, the EP captures the exhilaration of self-discovery while reminding us that authenticity remains one of music’s most powerful forces.