What makes Leo Rising by Karmin notable?

'Leo Rising' marked Karmin's return to the music scene after a significant break and was noted for its exploration of personal themes and relationships. The album received positive reviews, highlighting its catchy hooks and production quality, contributing to a resurgence in their popularity among fans of contemporary pop music. By the release of 'Leo Rising' in September 2016, Karmin had transitioned from viral internet sensations to a mature pop duo. This third studio album followed their previous effort, 'In the Dark', which showcased their evolving sound after a brief hiatus focusing on solo projects and personal growth.

Who is Leo Rising for?

Leo Rising works well if you're into playful sing-along moments, steady mid-tempo energy and light-hearted road trip vibes.

How many songs are on Leo Rising?

Leo Rising has 13 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Leo Rising

Karmin · 2016

45 min · 13 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant blend of pop-infused hip-hop rhythms and catchy melodies that radiate joy and energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sugar — This track stands out with its infectious chorus and upbeat production, encapsulating the playful essence of the album while showcasing Karmin's vocal harmonies.
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Dance with You — Opening the album, this track sets a lively tone with its danceable beat and romantic lyrics, perfectly representing the album's overall theme of love and connection.
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Everything — With a more introspective approach, this song highlights emotional depth through its lyrics about devotion, showcasing the duo's growth as artists beyond mere pop frivolity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features catchy hooks and a blend of pop and hip-hop but lacks standout depth or innovation.

What we noticed

The album opens with an upbeat track that sets a lively tone, maintaining a consistent mid-tempo pace through the first half.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response sections, creating an engaging dynamic between the duo.
The last three tracks shift to slower tempos and more introspective lyrics, providing a contrast to the earlier energy.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

playful sing-along moments
steady mid-tempo energy
light-hearted road trip vibes
infectious hooks for dancing
feel-good tracks for parties

Maybe skip if you

seekers of deep introspection
prefer slower, atmospheric sounds

Where this album fits

Career context: By the release of 'Leo Rising' in September 2016, Karmin had transitioned from viral internet sensations to a mature pop duo. This third studio album followed their previous effort, 'In the Dark', which showcased their evolving sound after a brief hiatus focusing on solo projects and personal growth.
Stylistic neighbors: Grouplove· Fitz and the Tantrums· Macklemore & Ryan Lewis