The single is her fourth release in 2025 (of seven) and is taken from her forthcoming debut album of originals entitled Synthetic.
Discussing the track, Leoni Jane Kennedy explained: “‘Sloe’ was written during my time at university. I would regularly see drunk people having their keys taken off them by friends, both young and old. The song talks of taking a moment to think even in that state of mind. I've had a few close calls in the car completely sober, so it's ridiculous to think of taking the wheel under the influence. This track is meant to bring awareness to the effects drunk driving has on our society and how things need to change. I'm not trying to seem a saint here, but the least I can do using my music platform is try to bring awareness to things that affect people's lives every day. Don't fekin’ drink and drive, ya eejits!”
“Sloe” is released on Thursday, 21st August 2025.
Pre-Save Here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/leonijanekennedy/sloe
Leoni Jane Kennedy hit the ground running in 2025. She was voted #4 in PROG Magazine’s 2025 Readers’ Poll in the ‘Best New Artist’ category and released her first single of the year, Different Kind of Woman, which received radio airplay from the likes of MNPR Magazine Radio, as well as interviews with Rock The Joint Magazine, Full Pelt Magazine, and Overtone Magazine, to name a few.
In addition, she toured with prog-rock band Solstice across the UK, was interviewed in PROG Magazine, and performed with The Anchoress over two sold-out shows opening for The Manic Street Preachers at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.
Leoni Jane Kennedy is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, often described as ‘haunting’ by her audiences. With intricate guitar riffs alongside powerful, soulful vocals, Leoni is a musical polymath creating a new wave of rock with progressive influence in her rhythmic and melodic structures, offering lyrics that surpass her years. With a touch of a young Bonnie Raitt in her, Leoni performs her songs with a delivery second to none and has been described by The New York Times as “a welcomed portal to something passionate and powerful.”
Winning her first title as the UK’s #1 under-19 singer-songwriter in 2014, thirteen-year-old Leoni performed live at the Houses of Parliament in London, which led to a Yamaha sponsorship and an endorsement from Orange Amplification. She would go on to win further songwriting awards, and in 2018, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor chose her from hundreds of applicants to receive the ‘Freddie Mercury Scholarship,’ financing her entire university tuition fees. Leoni graduated with First Class Honours and then moved to North London, where she is currently studying a Master’s Degree in Songwriting.
For the majority of her work, Leoni uses PRS Guitars. Her talents were again recognised when she was chosen as a ‘PRS Guitars Pulse Artist’ for 2023/2024, representing the brand in her own right. In late 2024 she was promoted to full PRS Guitars artist endorsee after impressing the company with her dedication to live shows and social media presence.
Leoni’s latest album, New World Woman, was independently recorded and released in 2023 as an acoustic compilation of reinterpreted tracks originally penned by Canadian prog-rock legends Rush. After raising a whopping £5.8K via a Kickstarter campaign, she was able to create an extensive merchandise range. New World Woman has been a great success, completely selling out of CDs with only 20 vinyl copies remaining. Leoni is touring all over the UK to promote the album, which has gained worldwide praise and won the hearts of many.
“When I judged ‘Rock the House Under-19 National Competition’ in London in 2014, 13-year-old Leoni blew me away with her talent. Fast forward two years and a video of Leoni covering a prog-rock song by Rush got 17,000 hits in 48 hours via Planet Rock’s website. Acoustic or electric, solo or with a band, Leoni definitely has a bright future!” — Paul Anthony (Planet Rock Radio)
“I’m so impressed with how far Leoni has come. There is a bit of the young Bonnie Raitt in her. There is a wisdom and a touch of the blues in her voice and songs that would fit with a woman twice her age. If she gets the chance and the support to play in front of thousands of people, travel, and experience what life throws at her, I believe what I believed seven years ago—that LJK will become an accomplished, internationally recognised musician and songwriter with an enduring career.
My company just released Laura Marling’s seventh album, and Laura just turned 30 this year. I predict a similar trajectory for Leoni.
I would encourage you to support this gifted and dedicated artist.” — Robin Millar CBE, Chairman, Blue Raincoat Chrysalis Group (Sade, Eric Clapton, Big Country, Randy Crawford)
In respect of Leoni’s performance at Prog The Forest in December 2024, Jerry Ewing said:
“Leoni Jane Kennedy continues to impress Prog, even though her intention to appear with a full band doesn’t happen this year. Performing solo with acoustic guitar, she kicks off with a take on Rush’s ‘Kid Gloves,’ hardly the easiest of tracks to play, and later delights the crowd with ‘New World Man’ and a poignant ‘Tears,’ while her own material is equally awe-inspiring. No wonder The Anchoress, with whom she plays live, holds her in such high esteem.” — PROG Magazine
Upcoming UK Tour Dates with The Anchoress
Wednesday, 12th November 2025 – The Horn, Victoria St, St Albans, AL1 3TE
Friday, 14th November 2025 – Union Chapel, 19b Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UN
