Lex Leto has released their highly anticipated second studio album, I am here but I must go, in collaboration with the Christine Burke Ensemble. Beautiful yet jarring, all six tracks are extremely well-ordered and create an enchanting story. The album trucks listeners through the hills and valleys of Leto’s mind and transports them to the mystical countryside of Chelsea, Iowa. Leto’s soft voice paired with the ensemble emphasizes the fairytale tone of this new release.
I am here but I must go captures a feeling equivalent to being on a rollercoaster while watching Ari Aster’s Midsommar. The soundscape is idyllic with somber lyrics, but the two elements together build a beautiful haunting energy that looms over each song and increases in intensity further in the album.
From the first track, “Laura,” you’re welcomed into Leto’s new world. The deeply tuned instruments speak to a primal intensity, engulfing the listener in a sensual force that feels inevitable, and preparing them for the uncharted journey to come. After being softly embraced by the Burke Ensemble’s spatial soundscape consisting of waves and strong winds, Leto pierces through the song with a clairvoyant sense of timing and seamlessly weaves into its frequencies in a hypnotic dance. The opening verse immediately signals that this album is a journey of self-transformation and the unpredicted dangers of uncovering the unknown.
Progressing through the album, the tracks eerily cultivate a sense of fear — one that’s compelling yet unsettling. Much like the unforeseen horrors of aforesaid Midsommar, this fear doesn’t repel; instead, it keeps you on edge, eagerly anticipating what’s to come. The fourth track, “B-Side,” stands as a magnetic interlude, immersing the listener in an ensemble of synths and warping sonic waves, like traveling through a portal into another dimension.
The next track, “Iowa,” awakens listeners, setting them to a state of alertness with an artfully simple yet effective drumline. Each beat is made with such care and sureness that it builds into the sound of a ritualistic pulse, like it’s expelling something from inside. The drumline powers Leto’s lyrics and transmits the message clearly to listeners, pulling them deeper into the album’s dreamy sound.
The final track, “New Song,” is an exorcism of past-self. Each instrument follows their own diabolical path of sound, layering over one another and creating a chaotic masterpiece that is effective in mirroring the chatter of the mind and the ways intrusive thoughts feel. The finale of the album is a purge of sound, both unsettling and refreshing, leaving the listener in a detox state of renewal and cleansings.
The payoff for listening to I am here but I must go in its entirety is extremely rewarding. It starts delicate and soft, luring in its prey. Halfway through, the sound becomes so entrapping that it’s impossible to stop listening. Leto takes newness to a whole other level, experimenting with their vocal capabilities — and the collaboration of work with the fabulous Burke Ensemble strikes beautiful quirks.
This collaboration was so alluring. Through each listen, I found something I could return to. Leto is uncovering new territory and I am excited to hear what’s next.
This article was originally published in Little Village’s April 2025 issue.
