London-based pop artist Rhian! shows his vulnerable side with new single, Stay. Following a string of hook-driven pop bops, this will the artist’s first entrée into the ballad world. The single was written and produced by Rhian!, co-produced by Massimo Braghieri and recorded at Intonoise Studio in London.
Stay starts off as a minimally produced pop ballad set to a prominent, sombre piano and propelled by a sparse muffled drum kit. Expressing themes of heartbreak and melancholy, Rhian!’s vocals are front and centre throughout this track. He pulls back when he needs to, but lets loose just at the right moments. The song builds to a dramatic crescendo with a lush string arrangement on a bed of angelic vocal harmonies as Rhian’s lead vocal soars. “I’m so consumed with this emptiness. Why does love have to be so cruel,” he ponders in despair.
“I wrote this song about someone who at the time I thought was the love of my life. It’s about heartbreak and the aftermath of it. The different stages and range of emotions a person goes through after a bad breakup. I think these are feelings that everyone can relate to.”
Originally born in Trinidad, Rhian! started his journey singing in church at the age of four where his father was the preacher. He faced the challenges of concealing his sexuality in his early years. By his teens he made London his home obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Performance and Production from the London Centre of Contemporary Music. In 2012 he won two silver medals at the World Championships of Performing Arts in California.
He then embarked on a journey to Shanghai, China where he performed to sold out audiences at the Pearl Theatre until 2019. During the pandemic, Rhian! relocated back to the UK, landing performances at a wide variety of venues, dazzling audiences with his exuberant style and stage presence.
Rhian! started releasing self-penned music in 2022 and has since racked up over 100,000 Spotify streams and has appeared in the top 10 on multiple iTunes charts around the world with his four singles. He has been interviewed by BBC Radio several times and his music has been featured on BBC Introducing, Pride Radio, Gaydio and numerous online blogs and publications.
Follow Rhian! on social media to keep up with his latest releases and live performances. Stay displays his range as a songwriter who is not only able to create catchy pop bops but also emotionally potent ballads. Stay will be released on October 26.
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