There's a common misconception that some people just happen to hit it big, and many will credit this triumph to nothing more than mere luck. However, the truth is that behind almost every seemingly random success story, there's a whole lot of work, suffering, and sheer brilliance. So, much has been talked about Ryn Weaver's "overnight" success, but what you might perceive as either a major label setup or a random song sweeping the internet is much, much more than just that. After working two restaurant jobs, couch-surfing in LA, and, as put by her, being "broke as f*ck" for quite a while, it looks like all of her hard work is finally paying off, because her debut EP, Promises, is electro-pop at its very best. "Stay Low", one of the two new songs on the project, presents a dazzling array of synths and pristine vocals, with just enough guitar bits and electronic nuances to keep the song varying. We knew that Ryn Weaver was the real deal prior to this track, of course, but this song of hers can definitely sweep away any doubts that anyone had about her, regardless their level of familiarity. Next, we've the song that's spreading across the internet like wildfire, "Octahate", which features production from a powerhouse trio that includes the likes of Michael Angelakos (Passion Pit), Benny Blanco, and Cashmere Cat. The song released a month ago, and it's been in the running for one of the biggest pop tracks of 2014, no questions asked. "Promises" is the second previously released effort alongside "OctaHate", and it shines just as bright. It's one of those songs that can easily be hailed as "massive" with its chill-inducing vocal calls, momentous drum beat, and glimmering synths, and, like the latter track, it's destined to see time on every music blog's year-end list. The final new effort from the EP is "Sail On", and it showcases a softer side of Ryn's sound over plenty of smooth guitar layers and fresh percussion. Sweeping soundscapes produce a dreamy sound, while the song continuously varies in structure, eventually reaching a brilliant crescendo at the very end that pulls away into a softer moment of bliss. We're extremely impressed with it (and with all of the efforts on Ryn's debut, really), and, without a perceptible blemish on the EP, we're looking forward to seeing if the surefire poster child of pop can maintain her impeccability long into the future. We certainly hope (and think) she can. Purchase Promises on iTunes today.
Ryn Weaver