Ryan Beatty, Ribbons | Track Review 🎵

Pop singer/songwriter Ryan Beatty impresses on his ballad “Ribbons,” the promo single from his third studio album, Calico.

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”R” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]eflective piano is one of many glorious production touches on 🎵 “Ribbons”, the first 🎙 Ryan Beatty single of 2023.  Beatty, formerly a teen pop artist and associated with BROCKHAMPTON (though not a member), is releasing his third studio album, 💿 Calico, on April 28, 2023.  Focusing on the production once more (Beatty and 🎛 Ethan Gruska), in addition to reflective piano, “Ribbons” features more ear catching keys, as well as strings.  In fact, nearly the final minute-and-a-half of the song is instrumental.  Ultimately, the backdrop is one of the big selling points of “Ribbons.”[/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

Of course, the best touch regarding “Ribbons” are the vocals by Ryan Beatty.  Simply put, he has a gorgeous tone and excels at balladry. Another pro for is the vocal production, which has consistently amplified his solo music.  A tuneful melody bodes well too 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, where Beatty asserts, “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 😢.

Final Thoughts 💭

All in all, 🎵 “Ribbons” is a nice preface to 💿 Calico.  The song is well written, authentically performed, and thoughtfully produced.  As a fan of Ryan Beatty, I would love to see the handsome, talented, openly gay musician get far more recognition.  He’s a vibe.  “Ribbons,” too, is a vibe. WORD.

via GIPHY

🎙 Ryan Beatty • 💿 Calico • 🏷 Warner Music UK • 🗓 4.28.23

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Warner Music UK; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via Pixabay]