Leonie Sherif re-enters the conversation not quietly, but with a strong sensory appeal. With SUNBURN, the singer-songwriter and producer shows she is an artist who doesn’t just make music; she makes you feel it. This new single comes as a sonic confession and an emotional aftereffect, deeply tied to her fragrance line, Sense’N’ By Sherif, where sound serves as the emotional basis for scent. “SUNBURN,” released on January 29, creates an atmosphere, a state of being, and a lasting heat that refuses to fade. Let’s dive in.
From the start, Sherif sets the tone with the hypnotic introduction: “Oh nana. Oh nana nah nah nah yeah.” It’s a deceptively gentle start, almost soothing. However, underlying it is tension. Those opening vocalizations feel like a sigh, a memory replaying itself before the mind is ready. They prepare the listener for a song that exists in the aftermath—after love, after hurt, and after clarity—where emotions remain raw and exposed.
Vocally, Leonie Sherif delivers her performance with intimacy and control. Her delivery is sultry without excess, restrained yet deeply emotional. She doesn’t oversing; she confesses. There’s a conversational closeness in her performance, as if she’s whispering thoughts she hasn’t fully processed yet. Her voice holds fatigue, desire, frustration, and self-awareness all at once, especially when she sharpens her tone on lines like “Like you got some fucking nerve sometimes.” That edge cuts through the haze, reminding us that this isn’t passive heartbreak; it’s aware and bruised, and flashes of anger surface.
Lyrically, SUNBURN examines the contradiction of longing for what has already caused pain. Sherif captures the emotional limbo of knowing there’s no going back, yet still feeling drawn in. Lines like “Can you keep it real ’cause I’m hoping. Ask me how I feel, barely coping” places us inside her vulnerability immediately. This isn’t a song about dramatic breakups or explosive endings; it’s about erosion. Love slowly wears away, day by day, “like erosion,” until all that’s left is exhaustion, obsession, and unresolved pain.
The SUNBURN metaphor works particularly well. A sunburn doesn’t appear right away; it shows up later, after exposure, once it’s too late to reverse the damage. When Sherif sings “Still raw like sunburn,” she nails that delayed pain perfectly, the kind that stings most when you think you should already be healed. The ongoing themes of simulation, haunting, and dream invasion strengthen the sense that this relationship exists outside of logic, repeating itself even when the mind tries to move on.
The production is equally captivating and closely tied to the song’s emotional heart. Sitting between electronic R&B textures and stripped-back rhythmic minimalism, SUNBURN thrives on tension and movement. A subtle Jersey club pulse drives the track, but it never settles; it shifts every few measures, keeping the listener slightly off balance. This rhythmic instability reflects the emotional unrest in the lyrics, reinforcing the feeling of being trapped in a loop you can’t escape. The instrumentation remains deliberately minimal. Soft synths, atmospheric pads, and subtle bass create enough space for Sherif’s voice to breathe. Nothing feels crowded; every sound has a purpose.
SUNBURN also strengthens Leonie Sherif’s identity as a multidisciplinary, sensory artist. Knowing that this track connects to her fragrance work adds another dimension to the experience. This is music meant to be remembered not just audibly, but physically, like a scent that pops up unexpectedly. The song feels warm, hazy, and sharp all at once, much like the sensation it’s named after.
For those already familiar with her work, “SUNBURN” is a powerful continuation of the emotional story begun in NGMB (Never Get Me Back)—a glimpse of what happens when resolve fades and feelings linger. For new listeners, it’s a striking introduction to an artist unafraid of sitting with discomfort and transforming it into something beautiful. So here she is again. Leonie Sherif, welcome back, and welcome deeper. She remains one of our favorite voices, continually redefining what intimacy in modern R&B can sound like. “SUNBURN” doesn’t shout for attention; it stays with you quietly and stubbornly, like heat on your skin long after the sun has set.
Listen to “SUNBURN” by Leonie Sherif on Spotify
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