Calico

A singer-songwriter, vocalist, producer and era-defining lyricist, who gained widespread recognition in 2018 with the critically acclaimed debut album, Boy in Jeans. An album heralded for its exploration in sexuality and isolation, but also in prose and sound. Continuing on his sonic journey of self-reflection and emotional honesty, Ryan pursued in his ambition to push sound with vocal dominance, releasing his highly anticipated follow-up album Dreaming of David in 2020. Now, in 2023, comes the third instalment of Ryan’s artistic proclamation, Calico. The first single ‘Ribbons’ epitomises what is another evolution in musical sculpture and lyrical intensity. A subtle, yet powerful examination of the human psyche. Comprised of nine tracks and co-produced by Ryan and Ethan Gruska, Ryan shares the endless nuances of his interior life on his new album, quietly exploring the tension between protecting our hearts and longing for connection that can only come from true vulnerability. Calico matches Ryan’s lyrical revelations with a luminously detailed sound that inspires endless fascination despite its great subtlety. Album opener and previous single, ‘Ribbons’, is a sublimely wistful piece rooted in Gruska’s delicate piano work alongside strings, celestial synth, and hypnotic steel guitar melodies, courtesy of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. The song is laced with lovingly rendered images of lonesome sunrises and California freeways. “What I love about ‘Ribbons’ is that the music says so much on its own,” Ryan points out. “Especially in the last minute, it feels like finally exhaling after holding something in for so long.”