Ryan Beatty, Calico | Album Review 💿

With the release of his third studio, Calico, alternative pop singer/songwriter Ryan Beatty releases arguably his best work to date.

To be fair, three years isn’t an eternity.  Still, when there is a talented musician like 🎙 Ryan Beatty in the mix, you want him to release a new album at least once a year.  Beatty is an underrated singer/songwriter who has earned a reputation among those who follow him for writing great songs about boys. I mean, boys are fascinating…  Once more, on his third studio album, 💿 Calico, Beatty gives us some great songs about boys.  Still, it goes beyond love and heartbreak as Beatty expands his pen.  For those who haven’t checked Ryan out, you are totally missing out, particularly on the enjoyable, utterly consistent Calico, arguably his best work to date. 

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“Ribbons”

Reflective piano is one of many glorious production (Beatty and 🎛 Ethan Gruska) touches on 🤩 🎵 “Ribbons”, the glorious opener from Calico. In addition to reflective piano, “Ribbons” features more ear catching keys and strings.  Notably, nearly the final minute-and-a-half is instrumental.  Ultimately, the backdrop is one of the big selling points. The best touch, however, is the vocals.  Beatty has a gorgeous tone and excels at balladry. Furthermore, the vocal production is strong. A tuneful melody bodes well as Beatty sings about the plight of love/ fleeting love (“It took all of California / To remind you while you came / … Ribbons running down your face / ‘Cause you’ve never known love like that”).  Things grow more depressing in the second verse: “And suddenly you’re older / Spinning the turnstile over and over / Who’s gonna hold you while you sleep? Well, / It’s brave to be nothing to no one at all.” Thought-provoking for sure… and sad 😢. Ultimately, 🎵 “Ribbons” is well written, authentically performed, and thoughtfully produced.  

🤩 🎵 “Bruises Off The Peach” keeps the momentum of Calico going strong 💪.  The record has more of a folk-pop/indie-pop/singer-songwriter vibe, something that continues throughout Calico.  Ryan Beatty sounds marvelous vocally and shines from a lyrical perspective.  The vocals and lyrics go hand in hand as he reflects on love and the effect that it has had.  “I cut all the bruises off the peach / Not as beautiful, but still as sweet,” he sings sincerely in the chorus, adding, “There you go again with all your needs / What did it ever have to do with me?” The analogy of the bruised peach, compared to Beatty being damaged by love is absolutely stunning.  Two tracks in and Calico is even sweeter than a peach 🍑!

Matters of the heart continue to affect Beatty on another sincere, thoughtfully penned record, 🤩 🎵 “Cinnamon Bread.” It is worth noting, cinnamon bread is only mentioned once in the song – at the beginning of the first verse.  The context is inviting – who wouldn’t want cinnamon bread after all? “Infinite Jest and cinnamon bread / Why don’t you make yourself at home?” Beatty sings, adding, “When you open me up, you close me in / And cut me to the bone / Close as a kiss on the lip / To the southern tip.” Of course, beyond things going south sensually speaking, they seem to also go south in regards to the relationship. Beatty is wowed by him initially, accentuated by the Liberace reference in the second verse, but, ultimately, it’s all fool’s gold: “Like all the men you’ve loved / The women you’ve loved / You tell me we’re in this together / When I know it’s not the case.” There is no doubt, however, that “Cinnamon Bread” is another terrific song from Calico.

“Andromeda” 

Has it been mentioned that Ryan Beatty likes and successfully writes and performs songs about boys? That is part of his appeal. On 🎵 “Andromeda,” in the first verse, he recalls a sweet dream regarding this boy he was spending time with.  Things are admittedly imperfect, though Beatty likes his presence.  He goes on to question himself regarding a defunct relationship. He seems to second guess things, particularly in the final three lines in the second verse. Science comes into play with Beatty mentioning seeing both Andromeda and Jupiter – there is a connection, albeit distant and in two separate galaxies.   The songwriting is stellar.

🎵 “Bright Red” also brings science in the mix, referencing “satellites [that] litter the sky” as well as “Speed” [Note: 🎵 “Speed” is also a song from Beatty’s debut album, 💿 Boy in Jeans, along with 🎵 “Crash”, also reference]. That said, the science is unimportant as Beatty seems to be taking a leap of faith regarding love. At the end of the second verse, he asserts, “True love will last / Speed up, but don’t crash.” He also speaks of nothing being promised yet seems willing to take a chance. “There’s a million ways that this could end / And no horizon’s ever promised,” he sings in the chorus, adding, “So, while I hold my baby in my arms / I’ll count on God to wake us up by sunrise.”

🤩 🎵 “Hunter” is by far the longest song from Calico and it’s NOT even close. That said, this nearly seven-and-a-half minute record is EPIC and worth every second of its duration. The lyrics are gorgeous, arguably, the crowning achievement.  Likewise, Beatty’s vocals are gorgeous too, continuing to sell the listener ample musical excellence. “I swallowed the beer / While a man who was holding a deer made his amends,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “And that’s when I realized / All this time that I’ve been living in my head.” Over the course of four compelling verses and refrains, he shows us how truly skilled his pen game is 💪. The poetry is on-point, and, perhaps, sexual (“But now and again I’ll put on your movie / When no one is around”).  The production alongside Ethan Gruska continues to be ear-catching.  There is a degree of subtlety at times that pays major dividends, never usurping the vocals.  Still, there are also truly lush moments, accentuated by emotional strings.  Harmonized vocals also add to the allure of “Hunter.”

“White Teeth”

“I’m not your brother / I can’t take care of you / I’ve purchased furniture in place of you.” On snap 🫰!  🤩 🎵 “White Teeth” appears as the seventh track on Calico.  “White Teeth” is a prime example where Beatty shows great range – expanded skill – as a songwriter and performer. Vocally, he is expressive and more nuanced. “Clear water, still water, we could both wade / Clear water, still water, what’s our code name?” he sings in the tuneful pre-chorus, continuing, “Stay close or go far, I’ll still wait.” Hmm, waiting on who, that seems to be question. Besides superb production (guitars, keys, and lush strings), and stupendous, authentic vocals, the songwriting is arguably the biggest selling point of “White Teeth.” Some of the most memorable lyrics hail from the chorus. “Handprint on a windowpane / Like white teeth to a red wine stain,” Beatty sings, adding, “Some left, but the right ones stay / A good end to a Saturday.” “White Teeth” ranks among the crème de la crème of Calico.

“Was it all that a dream? Was it all in my head?” Once more, on 🤩 🎵 “Multiple Endings,” another terrific moment from Calico, Ryan Beatty reflects back to a relationship… or lack thereof.  Once more, the songwriting is pitch perfect: “Yeah, I did you wrong, you did me ten times back / Blood washes away, even I know that.” Beatty’s voice also gives you chills, particularly on one of the more tuneful choruses of the album. Calico, which runs just nine tracks deep, concludes with 🤩 🎵 “Little Faith.” Expectedly, faith plays a role. It is interesting as faith seems to be contentious for Ryan. In 🎵 “Bruises Off The Peach” he makes it clear he is not a Christian.  However, later on 🎵 “Bright Red,” he mentions God as he sings, “counting on God to wake us up by sunrise,” a sentiment that requires some semblance of faith. Here, Beatty seems to be struggling with his mental health, mentioning pills “to clean up my act” and that “could save you.” In this context, Beatty embraces some faith. Perhaps more captivating is the third verse, which references his sexuality, his relationship with his mother, and the impact that Christianity has had on him as a gay man. It is a lot to unpack but the proper coda on this fine album.

Final Thoughts 💭

My question is, why doesn’t Ryan Beatty get more recognition? He is incredibly talented.  Arguably, on Calico, his pen is the best it has ever been.  Furthermore, his instrument, his voice, only gets better as he continues to mature as an artist.  There are no miscues to be found on Calico and album that more music enthusiasts need to indulge in.  Very well done, Ryan!

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🤩 Gems 💎: “Ribbons,” “Bruises Off The Peach,” “Cinnamon Bread,” “Hunter,” “White Teeth,” “Multiple Endings” & “Little Faith”  

🎙 Ryan Beatty • 💿 Calico • 🏷 Atlantic UK / Elektra / Ryan Beatty • 📅 4.28.23

[📷: Atlantic UK / Elektra / Ryan Beatty]