Borboleta

Borboleta (pronounced bor-boh-LEH-tah) is the alt-R&B and pop project of Rochelle Leach, a songwriter and vocalist who employs introspective lyricism to guide stirring, jazzy melodies. With influences ranging from Fiona Apple’s vulnerable storytelling to Janet Jackson’s and Deee-Lite’s rhythmic sophistication, her sound is warmly nostalgic with a transatlantic, contemporary edge.

Emerging from a 2024 Brown University music cohort, Borboleta’s project quickly took shape as Leach refined her songwriting, crafting songs that balance the emotional with sharp, poetic delivery. Her breakout single, "Sunchips," gained early recognition when it was featured on BBC Radio in 2020. Her upcoming work showcases a dynamic evolution; her songs shift between smooth, heartfelt R&B and playful, groove-driven pop, all propelled by her distinct vocal tone, drifting from smoky soul to crisp, pop-ready clarity.

Her tracks explore themes of love, self-discovery, and sincerity, with a lyrical directness that feels as if one is reading from her own diary. For fans of artists like WILLOW, Kali Uchis, and Amy Winehouse, Borboleta’s music resonates within the sphere of alt-R&B, neo-soul, and left-field pop. Her live performances bring an added dimension to her recordings, mixing intimate vocal delivery with hypnotic rhythms.