Leon Thomas’s PHOLKS Is the Breath of Fresh Air We Needed
Written by Malik Perkins
October 29th, 2025
Source: Raymond Alva
As an HBCU marching band alum (shoutout to Central State), I’m used to music that’s alive—horns that cut through the air, percussion that shakes your chest, arrangements that feel bigger than the moment. That’s why so much of today’s music leaves me cold. It’s not that there aren’t talented artists out there, but too much of it feels like it’s built off loops and templates, not musicianship. That’s why Leon Thomas’s PHOLKS hit me differently. It reminded me what real music feels like. Honestly? It’s my favorite album of 2025.
From the jump, “Just How You Are” grabs you with a bass line that’s pure funk. The groove is undeniable—it feels like Thomas put you in the middle of a jam session and dared you not to move. Then he flips into “5MoreMinutes,” which brings this twangy, indie-rock vibe I didn’t expect, but somehow it works. By the time “Trapped” and “Baccarat” roll around, he’s in full rock mode, with guitars and drums thrashing in a way you don’t hear much from R&B artists. And just when you think the ride’s over, he cools it all the way down with “Feel Alive” and “Lone Wolf” featuring 4batz—slower, deeper cuts that show he’s just as comfortable pulling you into intimacy as he is blowing the roof off.
What makes this project so refreshing is how intentional it feels. A lot of EPs play like leftovers—scraps from studio sessions packaged together. PHOLKS doesn’t. Every track has its own energy, and together they make a complete statement. It’s daring without being reckless, experimental without losing its soul.
That matters because Leon Thomas could’ve easily stayed in his lane. He already proved himself with MUTT. He’s a Grammy-winning songwriter, a respected producer, and an artist who could’ve doubled down on safe R&B. Instead, he chose to stretch, to bring in funk, rock, soul, and even indie textures—and he made it feel cohesive. That takes skill and confidence.
For me, as someone who grew up in a space where music was about community and sound you could feel, PHOLKS was like opening a window and letting fresh air in. It’s the kind of record that reminds you why musicianship still matters. And in a year full of forgettable drops, this one stands tall. Leon Thomas didn’t just release an EP—he gave us proof that real artistry is still alive.
And that’s why I’ll stand on this: PHOLKS is the best album of 2025.
Rating: 9/10
