My name is Leddra Chapman, and I’m a London based independent singer-songwriter. My new album Telling Truths is the most personal music I’ve ever created. This album captures moments of self-discovery, resilience, and coming into my own, and I’m truly proud of it for that reason.
After a decade since my last full-length album, Fidelity and Grace, this one feels like a milestone—a collection of songs exploring the kinds of truths we often keep to ourselves. Each track tells a story of facing fears and finding empowerment even in the hardest times.
In a way, it’s like coming full circle. If my first album, Telling Tales, was written with the curiosity and innocence of my teenage self, Telling Truths feels like a big sister to that, reflecting on life’s realities with (hopefully!) a bit more wisdom, grit, and hope.
This album took a long time to come together – ten years filled with challenges that made me take a step back from my own music. I lost my dad, who was the reason I started writing in the first place, and I faced a difficult journey to regain my personal freedom, feeling trapped in an unsafe situation.
During this time, I poured myself into my work at various Universities, developing real-world commercial music programmes and mentoring new artists, producers, and songwriters, which I still do to this day in leading the BA Music degree at the University of Westminster. I find it incredibly rewarding and inspiring, and it played a huge part in my decision to create another album.
While I still loved performing, always moved by and grateful for the dedicated fans who came to my live gigs, I knew I needed to start writing new music again when the time felt right. One night in 2021, over a glass of wine with one of my best mates I said… “I’m going to do another album. And this time it’s going to be called Telling Truths” .
Songwriting is such an interesting process, when I first began writing, it was always a way to escape & share my experiences in a safe way, whether it be from overcoming the bullies at school, the intense pressure of entering the music industry before developing into a woman, let alone an artist, or even that first experience of unrequited love – how painful that feels when you’re 15, and the boy next door you’re obsessed with doesn’t know you exist – right?!
Writing in any form has an incredible way of healing & helping us work through things, however big or small, and this album is no different – it was my opportunity to tell some truths.
Telling Truths was made possible through the amazing support and loyalty of the ‘Super-Leddy’ fanbase. I began an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign in October 2023, once all the songs had been written, and we reached the goal in under 8 weeks with many perks being claimed, such as advanced copies of the album, signed artwork prints, house concerts and even bespoke songwriting commissions! Every backer was invited to a listening party for the album, 3 months before the official release.
The album was produced, mixed and mastered by the formidable Soren Andersen at his studio in Richmond. We had a lot of tears and laughter during the process of creating this body of work!
The album starts with a stripped-back prelude, which is also the middle 8/bridge section within the last track on the album, “Aftermath” (co-written with Sophie Ackroyd). “Aftermath” is about sitting in the wreckage of what’s come before, finding peace in knowing that even though things might be messy right now, I’m still safe.
It’s vulnerable but hopeful, “In the end I know this too shall pass, but I’m still living in the aftermath.” That sentiment of holding onto hope while acknowledging the hard parts is something I wanted to thread through the whole album. This song features guest producer & guitarist John Mitchell, an ultimate prog-rock legend – he loved the song and wanted to help bring it to life.
The prelude flows into “What If I” (co-written with Sophie Ackroyd), a track that’s been rewritten and reimagined so many times over seven years that it feels like a part of me. It’s about the voice in all of us that wonders, Am I good enough? Strong enough? Brave enough?
I wanted this song to capture the feeling of moving forward even when you’re scared, the idea that “feeling the fear and doing it anyway” can lead to something beautiful. This one’s been a long journey, but it really sets the tone for the album, embracing courage in the face of self-doubt.
“Paint Your Hometown” (co-written with Matt Cardle) reflects the struggle of feeling let down by someone you least expected, contrasted with a longing to be as reckless and carefree as they seem to be. It’s about acknowledging our own vulnerabilities and flaws while still standing firm in who we are. I had so much fun writing with fellow Essex comrade, Matt; he is such a talented human being.
“Type of Monster” (co-written with Soren Andersen) is arguably my favourite track on the album. This song takes a darker turn and is one of the most intense I’ve ever written. It was born from my own anger and frustration after witnessing and experiencing abuse, misogyny, and sexual harassment. One in four women experience domestic abuse, and the Misogyny in Music report published earlier this year was a harrowing, though sadly unsurprising read.
“Type of Monster” as a title had been on my mind for a few months, and the chorus lyrics were already in the notes on my phone. One day I arrived at the studio and Soren had been creating this incredibly dark but uplifting string arrangement (which bizarrely reminded me a lot of the Succession theme tune!).
I said “Soren – this is going to be an angry one”. It is also about remembering who you are and who loves you, despite the injustices. Writing, recording & performing this song gives me 3 minutes and 14 seconds of complete control, empowerment, and freedom, and I hope that anyone listening feels the same. Every single person has faced some type of monster they have to overcome.
“Inside Out” (co-written with Eloise Viola & Soren Andersen) captures the raw emotion of feeling trapped within your own thoughts and emotions, and the desperate need to break free and heal. We penned this in one day and there was a very clear vision; this song has metaphorical imagery that reflects being stuck inside your body, thoughts & feelings and being desperate to let loose and break free.
“Minute More” (co-written with Dan Gautreau) captures the emotional journey through the ache of unrequited love, holding onto hope for a change of heart, and wishing time would freeze in those final moments together. I was really inspired by Laura Marling’s “End of the Affair”, and I initially sketched the verse and chorus late one night in my bedroom.
Later, I brought it to Dan Gautreau’s incredible studio in St. Andrews Scotland, a beautifully converted church, where we brought the song to life. Dan became another guest producer on the album, and we re-recorded the vocals at the Strongrooms studio in London, to capture just the right emotion.
“Two Years of Sleep” (co-written with Soren Andersen) is one of the album’s more uplifting tracks. It’s a bit of a celebration of reclaiming my life, a reminder that after all that time of feeling trapped and stuck in a toxic situation, there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. It’s one of the happiest songs for me on the album, and recording it felt like a release.
“Worthy” (co-written with Soren Andersen) was inspired by many friends who were also going through tough times. The lyrics emphasise that no matter how dark things can seem, you still deserve love, forgiveness, and understanding. ‘Worthy’ is about recognising your strength and worth, even when you feel lost or alone. It’s a message of hope and encouragement to keep going, no matter how tough things get.
“Honest” (co-written with Robin Pearkes & Ben Scott) is about taking a risk in love, allowing yourself to be open, even when it feels scary. I wrote this originally for a very famous K Pop artist, which may still be reflected in some of the melodic themes haha, but it ended up feeling so personal that I wanted to make it my own, it felt like it belonged on this album.
“Save Myself” (co-written with Kit Rice & Adam Rust), feels like a bookend to a journey I started with my first album, tying together themes of self-reliance and inner strength. It’s a song about taking back control, about standing up for myself and reclaiming my voice, with a small easter egg/nod to my past work with “Saving You” (1st album, Telling Tales) & “Save Me” (2nd album, Fidelity & Grace). This song reminds me of how far I’ve come and how much stronger I feel now.
I hope this album resonates with anyone who’s been through turbulent times, felt misunderstood, or needed a reminder that there’s strength in telling your truth. This album is a massive thank you to everyone who’s walked alongside and supported me, and I hope it can offer a bit of hope, encouragement, or even just a moment of connection to anyone who listens.
Listen to Telling Truths below and stream it everywhere else here.
Words by Leddra Chapman // Follow her on Instagram + Twitter (X)
