Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Leon Thomas has announced his sophomore album, MUTT, will release Sept. 27 via EZMNY Records/Motown Records.
“The album MUTT was created shortly after a significant break-up. During the relationship, my ex had given me a dog, and as I started working on the album in my new home, I began to notice similarities between my dog’s behavior and my own. My puppy had never received formal training, and his behavior inspired the song I was writing,” Thomas explains.
He continues, “It made me think about the give and take in relationships, and the struggle for obedience. My dog is not a pure breed; he’s a mutt. While writing the title track for my album, I came up with the theme for this collection of songs. Even though my dog may sometimes make a mess in the house or bark loudly at the neighbors, I know he means well. This became a metaphor for not being a perfect partner but having good intentions.”
According to press materials, MUTT will “offer a vivid exploration of love’s many faces — while also delving into the intricate dance between ambition and the personal sacrifices that accompany it.”
Thomas’ announcement of MUTT follows the release of its first single, which is also the title track. The song, produced by D. Phelps and Freaky Rob, was released on Aug. 9. It now has a remix featuring Freddie Gibbs, which accompanies the album release date and title news. It can be heard below.
MUTT is the follow-up to Thomas’ debut album, Electric Dusk, which was released in August 2023. The album was highlighted as one of the 25 best of the year by Rated R&B and includes features from Benny The Butcher, Ty Dolla $ign, and Victoria Monét.
The latter Grammy winner appears on the remix of his 2022 single “Breaking Point.”
Thomas will be promoting MUTT by making supporting act appearances on Blxst’s I’ll Always Come Find You Tour. The North American leg of the tour will kick off on Oct. 1 at the House of Blues in Houston, Texas.
Thomas will also be making stops in New Orleans, Atlanta, Boston, and St. Louis before concluding the tour on Oct. 26 at The Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan.
On Oct. 27, Thomas will be performing on day one of the two-day ONE Musicfest in Atlanta. Jill Scott, Victoria Monét, and Earth, Wind & Fire are also scheduled to perform at the event.
Stream Leon Thomas’ “Mutt (Remix)” featuring Freddie Gibbs below.
MUTT is available for pre-order/pre-add on Apple Music and Spotify.
