New music from RIOT SON

RIOT SON is a North Carolina-based artist whose name distils both the energy and catharsis of his music. Informed by the emotion of the region, his sound channels contrasts of beauty and turbulence, serenity and struggle to deliver an indie rock sound that’s been winning over fans across the USA and beyond. His songs are built from the myriad contradictions of life, balancing rebellion with pensive contemplation and delivered with an honesty and heartfelt style that’s equally disarming and energising.

Since his debut in September 2023 with the single “Friday,” RIOT SON has been going from strength to strength as a rising name in the alternative indie music sphere. His output has always shown an instinctive grasp of how to turn personal reflection into something widely relatable, resulting in musica that lands in the middle ground between the nostalgic and the cutting edge, echoing the emotional pull of early 2000s emo while embracing modern production and storytelling.

In August, he unveiled “Loneliest at Best,” the first offering from a collaborative three-track EP created alongside German producer Magnet$u. The single brought a powerful mix of alternative rock and indie energy, channelling the ghosts of Brand New, The Used and other acts that defined an era of emotive songwriting while opening up an exciting new creative partnership between RIOT SON and Magnet$u.

Now, RIOT SON returns with his new single titled “What Makes You Think,” the second outing lifted from the project, offering a song that expands his exploration of relationships, uncertainty and self-reflection. Recorded in his home studio in downtown Boone, the track carries the atmosphere of its surroundings; the golden calm of autumn in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the ache of change that seems to accompany it. Taking cues from the likes of Joey Ramone, Elliot Smith, and Lil Peep, RIOT SON’s stacked vocal layers add a warm and immersive feel to the track throughout.

Opened by the soft textures of strummed clean guitar chords and airy lead notes, the arrangement jumps with the rustle of uptempo drums and RIOT SON’s smooth vocal leads. Stitching bright melodic lines into the dreamy indie rock fabric, his poignant lyrics form a moving listening experience that deftly balances lively energy, delicate instrumentation and memorable songwriting. Melodically charming, rhythmically upbeat and thematically meaningful, “What Makes You Think” serves up a pop-tinged rock sound that’s truly impossible not to love.

On “What Makes You Think,” RIOT SON captures the beauty of breaking down, rebuilding and continuing to search for truth in the noise, once again putting his retro-inflected aesthetic and catchy sound on full display. With Magnet$u handling production from Germany, the upcoming EP is se to venture even further into the realm of new wave alternative rock, balancing RIOT SON’s lyrical flair with hazy sonic textures and we can’t wait to see what the final track will offer.

Listen to What Makes You Think below

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