Exclusive Interview: Leroy Sanchez on Crafting His First Full-Length Album and the Emotion Behind “Fallin’”

We’ve been fallin’ for Leroy Sanchez’s artistry for years, captivated by his soaring vocals, raw storytelling, and ability to craft songs that hit straight to the heart. With his latest single, Fallin’, he once again delivers an emotionally charged track wrapped in the kind of pop energy that defines his signature sound. But Fallin’ is just the beginning—Leroy is gearing up to release his first full-length album, a project that not only showcases his evolution as an artist but also serves as his most personal body of work yet.

With a career that began on YouTube, where he built a dedicated global fanbase through his soulful covers, Leroy has spent years honing his craft, evolving from an internet sensation to a full-fledged artist with a sound that is entirely his own. His ability to blend heartfelt lyricism with dynamic, radio-ready production has set him apart, and his upcoming album is the culmination of that journey. Pulling from his personal experiences, influences, and the highs and lows of his career, the project promises to be a reflection of who he is right now—both as a songwriter and as a person.

As he prepares to share this next chapter with the world, Leroy is giving fans a glimpse into what’s to come. From high-energy anthems to stripped-down ballads, the album is set to explore the full spectrum of his artistry while staying true to the authenticity that has made his music so deeply resonant. We caught up with Leroy to talk about the inspiration behind “Fallin’,” the creative process behind his upcoming album, and what fans can expect from this milestone moment in his career.

PC: You released “Nuclear” at the end of 2024, and you’ve mentioned that your next project marks a new evolution in your artistry. What has influenced that growth the most?
Leroy: It’s the experiences I’ve had and the time I’ve spent doing this. I’ve been on the internet since 2006, 2007—I’ve had plenty of time to learn and navigate the ups and downs of this industry. So, it’s those experiences and everything that’s come together as I’ve built this project.

PC: Speaking of those ups and downs, you’ve already achieved so much in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Leroy: There have been so many. Since 2007, I’ve experienced a lot of defining moments. My early days on YouTube were incredibly important to me, as was the moment I started writing with other artists and evolving creatively. Getting my first Billboard #1, touring independently for the first time—there have been countless milestones that have shaped my journey. I try to hold onto all of them because they remind me where I came from.

PC: What I love about your sound and artistry is the contrast and juxtaposition in your music—your lyrics hit emotionally, but the production keeps things energetic and fun. We hear that with both “Nuclear” and “Fallin'”. Do you go into a session thinking about striking that balance? What inspires that?
Leroy: I usually start every song from a very minimalistic place. If it works with just guitar and vocals or piano and vocals, then I know it’s a good song. From there, you can build it up however you want, but at its core, the song itself has to stand on its own in its purest form.

As for the energetic pop production—especially on this project—I grew up in Spain, and my influences were Top 40. I loved listening to the radio, and that’s what shaped my ear and my love for music. With this project, I wanted to go back to the beginning and bring the pop that first made me fall in love with music into my own sound.

PC: You can really hear that in your music—there’s such a vividness in the way you write your lyrics. What has played the biggest role in shaping your storytelling and allowing you to craft such immersive and detailed narratives? Do you have a favorite lyric that you’ve written?
Leroy: A favorite lyric that I’ve written? That’s hard. If I had to pick one, it would probably be from my song “Proud”. It’s from my previous project, but it’s a very personal song—a letter to my parents that I wrote during COVID when I was leaving Spain to come to the States. I’ve been here for ten years, and I’ve always wondered if my parents were proud of how far I’ve come or if they expected me to be somewhere else. Even if that were the case, would they still be proud of me, even if I didn’t achieve everything I had hoped for?

What makes those lyrics so special to me is that they’re the most vulnerable I’ve ever written. That song holds a powerful weight over me. Every time I try to sing it, for whatever reason, it gets me extremely emotional—so much so that most of the time, I can’t even finish it. That’s never happened with any other song I’ve written. There are plenty of songs that make me emotional, but “Proud” hits something deeper, something I can’t quite explain. And that’s how I know it’s special.

PC: I’m getting emotional just listening to you talk about the song. Your parents are definitely proud of you. You’ve got a new single out now—tell us about “Fallin'” and the inspiration behind it.
Leroy: “Fallin'” came together during a session in Miami with Mike [Muñoz] and Gio [Fernandez], who produced the song. I remember that day was pretty awful—there was a huge storm, it was pouring, and we had a late-night session. Once you book the studio, you have to write a song, so we were trying to get into the right headspace.

We started talking, and the theme of breakups came up. One of our producers was going through a really tough situation, so we channeled that frustration and heartbreak into the music. What resonated with me most was that desire to be numb—the way emotions can become so overwhelming that we try to drown them out by drinking, going out, or disassociating. That feeling became the foundation of the song, and from there, we all started digging deep to bring the lyrics to life.

PC: Speaking of those sessions, I find it fascinating that as a songwriter, you’ve written for both yourself and others. How do you decide which songs are meant for your own project and which ones you’ll give away? How do you know when a song is calling to you?
Leroy: Every time I write, I approach it as if I’m writing for myself—it makes the process more natural. Sure, you can write about anything, but to really tap into something meaningful, it helps to draw from your own experiences. That’s what makes a song feel real, and ultimately, that’s what connects with audiences the most.

I always start by thinking of every song as mine. That said, if I’m writing a booty-shaking song, I’ll do my best—but chances are, that one’s probably not for me. [laughs]

PC: That’s such a gift you have as a songwriter—being able to write from such personal places while making it feel universal for listeners and your fans. “Nuclear” and “Fallin'” are incredible singles that offer an exciting glimpse into this upcoming project. What can you tease about what fans can expect?
Leroy: They can expect a full-length album—something I’ve never done before, so I’m really, really excited about it. I have to say, it was a lot of work, but the experience of creating it was incredible.

Musically, they can expect more songs that blend energetic pop with introspective, singer-songwriter ballads—both of which feel true to who I am. But everything exists within a cohesive universe. This isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a full story, meant to be experienced as a complete body of work.

PC: This might be a tough question, but outside of these two singles, if you had to choose one song from the upcoming project that best represents who you are as an artist right now, which would it be and why?
Leroy: That’s a really hard one because, honestly, the whole project represents who I am right now—it is who I am right now. As someone who started out doing covers, trying to make every song my own, one of the biggest challenges has been figuring out how to consolidate everything I am as a songwriter and artist into one cohesive project. It’s about saying, “This is me, at least in this moment, and this is how I want to present myself to the world.”

That being said, I think “Nuclear” and “Fallin'” are great examples of the direction I was going for. I love both because they show two sides of the same coin. “Nuclear” is full of that energetic, euphoric love, while “Fallin'” still has that pop energy but channels the angrier, more raw side of a breakup. Both songs keep the essence of what I love—the melodies, the emotions, and the vocals. But to get the full picture, you’ll have to listen to the rest of the project!

PC: That’s a great teaser. I love that albums serve as time capsules, capturing who an artist is in that moment. One of the beautiful things about music is that you’re constantly discovering new aspects of your artistry. Since this is the first full-length project you’ve worked on, what was the most surprising part of the experience—outside of the challenges of bringing it to life? [laughs] And what will you take from this project into the next?
Leroy: That’s a great question. Honestly, the hardest part was choosing the final tracklist. There were so many songs that didn’t make the cut, and while that was tough, it was also exciting to say, “I get to pick the very best ones for this project.” I absolutely loved that process.

And as I was doing it, I was already getting ideas for the next project—which I’ve already started working on. This experience gave me a new perspective: when you’re creating, you end up with all these songs, and part of the journey is figuring out what the sound of the project will be and how everything fits together. With this album, I had a few songs I was in love with, and I built around them. Next time, I’d love to start from scratch and shape the full vision from the very beginning.

PC: I always find it funny that as soon as an artist finishes one project, they’re already thinking about the next. With the album dropping later this year, can we expect you back on the road? And with the vocal range required for these songs, is it ever daunting to bring them to life?
Leroy: I’ve been performing for a while, so the singing itself isn’t the daunting part—it’s the travel and the lack of sleep that take the biggest toll on your vocal cords. The behind-the-scenes exhaustion affects your voice way more than having to sing for two hours straight.

In a normal studio session, I could be singing for eight hours nonstop, recording song after song. But when you’re on tour, it’s the constant movement, the late nights, and the lack of recovery time that make it tough. That said, I’m working really hard to get back on the road. I’m not sure if it’ll be a full world tour, but we’re definitely planning to hit some key markets!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to find on your playlist?
Leroy: I’m all about Top 40—I listen to anything in that space. So I don’t think they’d be too surprised by my picks!

PC: First album you bought?
Leroy: Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson.

PC: First concert you attended?
Leroy: Oh my God, this is a flex. I was a late concertgoer, but my first concert was Beyoncé. It was in Florida when she released 4. There’s actually a picture of her handing me the mic and me singing—which was pretty epic.

PC: That’s incredible. That’s setting the bar high.
Leroy: I know! I was like, maybe I shouldn’t go to any more concerts after that. [laughs]

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Leroy: 21 by Adele. I became obsessed with that album—every song, the songwriting, the production, the mixing, the mastering. It completely blew my mind. The more I listened to it, the more it raised my own standard for recording.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Leroy: Red Rocks.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Leroy: A good pillow, a steamer, Throat Coat tea, and honey.

To keep up with Leroy, follow him on Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Photo Credit: Jonti Wild