RY-GUY’s EP ‘like a river’ explores life’s complexities through psychedelic, soulful art-pop
The EP follows 2023’s debut EP ‘As The Light Leaks’.
Photo: Tom Walker
RY-GUY is an emerging South London-based artist whose music blends art-pop, soul, and psychedelia. His work is shaped by a deep sense of heritage and connection, often drawing on his own roots from Guyana and Barbados. RY-GUY boldly tells the important stories in life that often go unheard.
like a River follows the artist’s 2023 debut EP As The Light Leaks, with first release, Dunja, having dropped earlier this month. like a river is an honest self-contained artwork balancing a direct pop sensibility with sonic grit and ambiguity that allows listeners to lose themselves within the songs.
There are strong themes of defiance, self-affirmed freedom and strength running throughout the projects. The EP was recorded across Salvation Studios, Speedy Wunderground and RAK, and written in simple work, with Dunja originally composed on guitar.
Delving into Dunja on first listen, you can really feel a powerful explosion in your ears. The bass and guitar, paired together, create layers of sound that take you on a journey of discovery. RY-GUY describes the song as: “A powerful anthem for women navigating the challenges of a Western world, this song speaks to their resilience in overcoming male oppression, violence, and the patriarchy.”The opening line, “On the dark side of the Riviera, you know it’s colder than it’s supposed to be”,immediately sets the scene for harshness and the hidden tensions that women face in life, which is later reinforced in the song by the image of Mother Arabia scanning the streets for red balloons and creeps.
One of the standout tracks on the EP is Change Is Gonna Come, which feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. The line “and change is gonna come, I see it every day” lingers in your mind long after listening. In a world with so much disruption, the song offers a sense of comfort — almost a quiet reassurance that things can and will shift, even when it feels uncertain. There is something hopeful in its simplicity, rooted in belief rather than certainty.
Sonically, the track is melodic, really beautiful, and subtly powerful. The production, co-produced with RY-GUY alongside Adele Phillips and Cameron Nesbitt, allows the emotion to breathe without overpowering it. It is gentle but assured, carrying a quiet strength that builds as the song unfolds.
In contrast, Push Me In The Water introduces a different energy, leaning into a slightly more rock-infused sound. There is a rawness to it, driven by the live instrumentation, particularly the drums by Erwin Lotasz, bringing a dynamic, almost restless momentum to the track. The percussion feels loose yet intentional, with rolling rhythms and sharp accents that push the song forward and give it a sense of urgency.
Lyrically, the track stands out for its vivid imagery and reflective tone. Lines like “someone tell the daughter the sun has already seized / Days don’t fly by” feel almost philosophical, hinting at time, missed opportunities and awareness. Meanwhile, “Phoenix, Arizona is where you long to be / London never loved you / The land just crushed your dreams” introduces a striking sense of displacement and longing, capturing the tension between aspiration and reality.
The closing track on the EP, Oil In My Hair, is a slow, reflective song that serves as the emotional and thematic heart of the EP. A moment of resolution, it encapsulates the pursuit of freedom and self-belief, blending psychedelia, soul and art-pop into a final statement of quiet triumph. Its reflective tone is emphasised in the line “I can feel the oil in my hair as it trickles down,” highlighting a sensory, contemplative moment, while other lyrics hint at the repeated challenges and lessons of life, underscoring the song’s introspective nature.
It is clear that RY-GUY’s work tells the musical narratives that are often missing from the contemporary landscape. I’m excited to hear the full EP.
RY-GUY is set to play a run of UK tour dates later this year.
See RY-GUY live:
22nd April 2026 // Brighton, The Prince Albert
7th May 2026 // Bristol, Trinity – supporting DEADLETTER
8th May 2026 // Leeds, Wardrobe - supporting DEADLETTER
15th May 2026 // London, Koko - supporting DEADLETTER
23rd May 2026 // Southampton, Wanderlust Festival
3rd June 2026 // Newcastle, The Grove - supporting DEADLETTER
4th June 2026 // Glasgow, Glasgow School of Art - supporting DEADLETTER
5th June 2026 // Nottingham, Rescue Rooms - supporting DEADLETTER
like a river is out now.
