Spirits of Leo

Spirits of Leo is a Brooklyn based band that works in the intersection between post-punk, dream pop, and a softer version of shoegaze, with plenty of emphasis on shimmering guitars, circular riffs, and hazy vocal delivery. It is led by guitarist, vocalist Ryan Santos Phillips, who, if their 2022 album Gossamer Blue is to be taken as a yardstick, has some affinity for The Cure's Disintegration era with its ethereal sound that evokes a floating sensation in the listener. He likes to use a Robert Smith type chorus effect on his guitar, and similar melodic lines, along with mid '80s Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) textures that cement the wistful tones in his songs and the dark, moody nature of the band's overall sonic profile.