I’m a little late reviewing Andrew Leahey’s October 2025 album, KICK / MOVE / SHAKE, but to be honest I was only introduced to Andrew’s music this past week when he performed with his band at the Nashville Germantown Art Festival. Andrew Leahey and the Homestead was the opening act on the main stage and he rocked the crowd with his ripping guitar riffs. I went home, pulled up his Spotify catalog, and I’m hooked.
There is definitely a different side of Andrew in his latest offering. Earlier releases, dating back to Airwaves and before, were heavy guitar rockers — and Andrew can definitely rock. But a shift seemed to surface in “Carry a Weight,” the closing track on American Static, Vol. 2, where the guitar stopped competing for attention with the vocals and lyrics. KICK / MOVE / SHAKE moves even further in that direction.
KICK / MOVE / SHAKE is my 1980s-inspired pop/rock record. I love bands like the Cars and INXS. I love Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer.” This record is my attempt at making that kind of music. That’s why you hear more keyboards, more reverb, and more syncopation. – Andrew Leahey
Phosphorescent opens the album with a radiating glow, and the guitar arrangements throughout do exactly what that title implies — rather than competing for the spotlight, they illuminate the vocals and lyrics, and that continues throughout the album, drawing you deeper into each song.
Lyrical imagery is on full display in Kristina On The L Train, which evokes a vivid scene of longing set against a New York subway ride — it’s easy to imagine yourself sitting across the car, watching this woman’s reflection stare back from the window. And, if you’re still longing for the familiar Andrew guitar after listening to those great tracks, Time Ran Out delivers — a hard rocker that, although just under three minutes on the album, is perfectly set up for an extended guitar solo when performed live. And, as Andrew has promised: “I’ll get back to the rock & roll soon.”
▶ Listen to Kristina On The L Train on SpotifyAndrew is keeping busy, working on his next record while balancing his solo career with his work as a guitarist for other acts. He heads to Europe to tour with Hannah Aldridge through May, then performing at the Kerrville Folk Festival and the Texafied JamFest in Texas in June before returning to Nashville — catch him there with Elizabeth Cook on June 26th, then with his own band on July 18th (Hendersonville’s Historic Rock Castle concert series) and July 19th (the Bluebird Cafe). Keep up with everything Andrew at andrewleaheymusic.com.