The influence of Serge Gainsbourg is audible in the opulent sonic textures, in the cheeky wordplay of Leon's French lyrics and, especially, in his whispery talk-singing a vocal style pioneered by Gainsbourg that gives every song the feel of a slightly scandalous confession.
Wyclef encouraged Jones by telling him to keep his lyrics true to his own experiences, and this certainly comes across in many of the tracks, especiallythe nostalgic Younger Days.