R&B singer-songwriter Leon Thomas has unleashed a deluxe edition of his acclaimed project MUTT, subtitled HEEL, and it’s packed with fresh material and high-profile guest stars. Out now via Motown Records, the expanded album adds nine new tracks to the MUTT lineup, including much-buzzed collaborations with Grammy-winning singer Halle Bailey and R&B star Kehlani. Thomas says the original MUTT concept was all about embracing complexity in sound and identity – and on the deluxe, HEEL, he leans “even deeper into that chaos, and finding beauty in it.” The new songs continue to blend genres, emotions, and storytelling, sharpening Leon’s reputation for innovative production and raw lyrical honesty.
Among the deluxe’s highlights is “Rather Be Alone,” a sultry, progressive soul duet that hears Leon trading heartfelt lines with The Little Mermaid actress-turned-soloist Halle Bailey. Thomas revealed the collaboration came about organically: he played Halle the song and “she really resonated with it.” In fact, both artists were going through breakups at the time, pouring real-life emotion into the track’s narrative of choosing solitude over a toxic relationship. “Both of us were going through pretty crazy breakups, so it was important to lead with that song because it’s the truest record right now on the project,” Leon shared of the cathartic duet. Another fresh cut, “Dirt on My Shoes,” features Kehlani’s smooth vocals complementing Leon’s in a moody, mid-tempo groove that tackles moving on from the past. These new collaborations join appearances from Big Sean and Stormzy on the deluxe album, making MUTT Deluxe: HEEL feel like a victory lap for Thomas. With his rich vocals and production chops front and center – and support from some of R&B’s finest – Leon Thomas cements himself at the forefront of modern R&B while staying true to the soulful, story-driven roots that got him here.
