'Lead It Up' is a quietly magnetic introduction to GENA’s collaborative world, where Liv.e’s instinctive, smoky vocal presence melts seamlessly into Karriem Riggins’ deeply felt production. Built on plush neo-soul chords and an unmistakably analogue warmth, the track feels lived-in, raw and underground, but familiar. What makes GENA so compelling is the chemistry: Liv.e and Karriem Riggins let intuition lead, colliding their inimitable styles into something fluid, expressive, and entirely their own. Her phrasing drifts and stretches with intention, while the lofi production remains fluid and grounding. The result is something both familiar and forward-thinking, reminiscent of soul’s past but unafraid to sit in imperfection. As a taste of their forthcoming album The Pleasure Is Yours (out 27 February 2026), 'Lead It Up' sets the tone beautifully. Liv.e and Karriem Riggins operate on a shared frequency that feels both intuitive and intentional. Short for 'God Energy, Naturally Amazing' the project embodies a kind of creative trust that allows instinct to lead the way. Karriem Riggins’ background in jazz, soul, and hip-hop rhythms gives the track its elastic foundation, while Liv.e’s raw, unguarded delivery brings a sense of vulnerability that feels unfiltered. There’s a timelessness to 'Lead It Up': its hypnotic, grainy textures and improvised spirit nod to eras past without feeling nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake. Instead, the song exists in the present moment warm, unpolished, and deeply felt - reinforcing the sense that The Pleasure Is Yours will be less about spectacle and more about connection, feel, and shared musical language. -Rachel Fryer