Lei Hope - INERTIA (EP) + 10 Questions

Photo Credit: Aubrey Simpson

Lei Hope Releases Stirring New EP INERTIA.

Manchester-based singer-songwriter Lei Hope returns with his most focused and emotionally resonant project to date: INERTIA, out now via Heist or Hit.

A quietly powerful presence in the UK’s emerging alt-R&B scene, Lei explores grief, disconnection, and healing across four intimate tracks. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Leeds, Lei brings a unique perspective and clarity to his songwriting—his roots and lived experience are deeply woven into every lyric and groove.

Following the success of previous singles ‘LITTLE SIGN’ and ‘WAYO’ (which CLASH praised for its “indie-soul originality”), INERTIA delves into the emotional weight of family estrangement and personal loss. It’s a record shaped by stillness, as the title suggests—a nod to the way grief can hold us in place.

Each track carries its own emotional colour: from the reflective ache of ‘LITTLE SIGN’, to the raw, percussive anger of ‘WAYO’, and the softer acceptance of ‘WRITE BACK’. The final track, ‘HYPERINDEPENDENCY’, sees Lei processing the loss of a childhood friend, turning inward without losing his sense of perspective or purpose.

Rooted in alt-R&B but shaped by singer-songwriter instincts, the EP draws from the likes of Daniel Caesar, Phoebe Bridgers, and Charlotte Day Wilson. It's cinematic, honest, and deeply human—much of it written simply with acoustic guitar and built from there with close friends and collaborators from Manchester’s quietly thriving underground.

INERTIA is more than a collection of songs—it’s a step forward in Lei Hope’s artistic evolution. It’s soul music for those quietly figuring things out.

Lei Hope sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Through the church. They had a live band that would accompany the singers during the song service. Going there week in week out exposed me to live music, instrumentation, composition and just laid the blueprint on how to become a musician. Eventually the guitarist there taught me some stuff and then I became obsessed with being the best guitarist in my teenage years. I spent most of my time practicing gospel songs, learned from guitarists like John Mayer, BB King, Steve Lacy etc.

Once I became proficient I realised that songs are the be and end all of music. You can be the best instrumentalist in the world but not that many people will care unless you write a good song. So my mission was to translate my musical ideas into songs. This was around the era where DIY artists and bedroom pop were blowing up (i.e., Clairo, Omar Apollo, Steve Lacy etc.). So I ran with that philosophy and started producing and recording myself and just became obsessed. The pandemic gave me lots of time as I didn’t really have to work so I just honed my production, songwriting and singing skills too.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Yeek, Daniel Caesar, Skepta, Phoebe Bridgers, Lexa Gates, so many artists tbh.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

'INERTIA' EP comes out 23rd of July. It’s definitely my most personal project as I explore themes of faith, religious upbringing, grief from loss of friends and family estrangement.

I’ve been working on an LP called Factory Reset too. I’m like 90% done too. It’s a deeper dive into my indie R&B sound and I’m back on the boards in terms of producing and mixing everything too.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I feel like it ranges, I have an indie R&B sound but I also have a singer songwriter-y sound. Lately I’ve been leaning more into the R&B vibe but I know I’ll definitely go back to folk/indie/rock at some point in my career too.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Probably touring Europe last year with Zach Templar. It was crazy playing my songs in different countries so early in my career. It really opened up my eyes to how far music can take you and it gave me something to aim for consistently.

Photo Credit: Aubrey Simpson

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Do what you can with what you have. Don’t wait to have the best mic or guitar to make something, sometimes your restrictions can make the music more endearing and authentic. Use garageband if you have to, just don’t set any limitations for yourself.

If you don’t have a band, do some solo shows. You can only really improve by turning up everyday and staying dedicated - the continual growth in the quality of my music is a testament to that and hopefully an inspiration too. It’s a journey and people underestimate the power of developing a skill as opposed to talent. If you write 500 songs you’re going to get good eventually, if you sing everyday you’re going to get good eventually - but you can only really put in those Kobe hours if you really love what you do.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Freak Slug, Femi Tahiru, Akemi Fox and batthat are probably my favourite artists in the city. They all have unique sounds and are part of the reasons the city is bubbling right now.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Clipse - Let God Sort ‘Em Out
Hana Vu - Romanticism
Maya Delilah - The Long Way Round
Sumin & Slom - Miniseries 2
Kokoroko - Tuff Times Never Last
Fontaines D.C. - Romance

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Probably watch a bunch of films. I appreciate the art and how much of a big operation it is as compared to me making my songs solo. I also don’t work in that industry so I still enjoy it as a consumer, I haven’t looked behind the curtain of the film industry. I’d love to score one in the future too.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

My pink Stratocaster, I literally can’t operate without it. It’s like the medium that I channel and flesh out all my ideas through.

A movie/podcast/football in the background. TikTok might have fried my brain but I always need something in the background playing or else I get FOMO and feel like I’m disconnected from society.

Peace and quiet - I’ve never really been the type to invite people to a session or just have hella people in there for no reason. It's too much of a distraction and I don’t want to worry about other people's opinion when I’m creating or else it feels inauthentic. I’m literally just in there solo 95% of the time tracking all the instruments one by one or I’m in there with like 1 or 2 other people. I’m also a perfectionist so I could spend hours getting the take I want or finding the perfect tone so I don’t want to worry about boring people.