Ryan Ritual and the soaring, hopeful soul pop vibes of "Smile"

 

"Tell me where you gonna be tonight / Show me something dangerous my dear / Everything has gone to shit alright / Everyone agrees but no one cares..."

Stepping back from his band Mating Ritual, after a prolific run of writing, recording, producing and mixing 5 albums in 5 years, Ryan (as Ryan Ritual) relocated to London in 2022 to create his first solo album enlisting the help of producer Chris Zane (Passion Pit, The Walkmen) at Strongroom Studios. The resulting first solo project debut album is "The Weight Of Love" dropping September 15th (2023) via Smooth Jaws. 

The last track on the album, "Smile" is a dazzling piece of work. Steeped in late 80's world rhythms (think a collision of Culture Club, Level 42 and Haircut 100) and highlighting RR's exquisitely magnetic vocal countenance, that feels pop classic with underground club edginess, feels incredibly soulful. "Smile" checks all the dance vibe, soul pop boxes while having this soaring chorus that gets under your skin and moves into your brain in the best possible way. 

Tell us who we’re supposed to be
Give us something to believe
We'll be there
Just pretend its all ok
Everything will go away
As long as we’re there

And don’t forget to smile
Don't forget to smile for me

-Robb Donker Curtius 

Ryan Ritual · Smile

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1DbXVMdQqNejIYLU2xsIMi

https://www.instagram.com/ryanritual/

https://linktr.ee/ryanritual


After writing, recording, producing and mixing 5 albums in 5 years with his band Mating Ritual, Los Angeles based Ryan Ritual needed a break from his band and life as he knew it. Exhausted and sick of the desert heat, Ryan relocated to London in 2022 and began work on his first solo album, this time enlisting the help of producer Chris Zane (Passion Pit, The Walkmen) at Strongroom Studios. The result is “The Weight Of Love”, an album that explores the emotional fallout of living entirely alone for the pandemic. Sonically, Ryan pulled from his early 80’s music fandom and Strongroom’s impressive history as a palette for his distinct, hook driven songwriting.




Ryan Ritual, indie pop, indie rock, soul pop, 80's sonic seeds, vast sound, endearing vocals, dream pop, new solo album "The Weight Of Love", "Smile" single,