Ryan Beatty shares feelings of home with 'Calico'

 Singer-songwriter and producer Ryan Beatty has made a name for himself in the music industry through his luscious alternative R&B sound combined with sensual lyrical exploration of sexuality, love, and the difficulties of coming to terms with one’s own self. Although Beatty has been featured on several collaborations the past few years, no additions to his individual discography had been made since the release of his sophomore album, Dreaming of David, back in 2020. The vocalist released his long-awaited third studio album, Calico, on April 28th, 2023, leaving fans excited to see what Beatty had to bring to the table after his musical hiatus. 

While his first two albums Boy in Jeans and Dreaming of David remained rather sonically consistent within the realm of alternative R&B and indie pop, Calico showcases a very significant artistic shift in direction for Ryan Beatty. Beatty leaves his typical electronic production almost entirely behind and leaves Calico stripped-back and raw. Calico still lingering within the realm of indie pop; however, the album is best described as a singer-songwriter indie folk project. 

Such a dramatic shift in genre is difficult to pull off for any artist, but Ryan Beatty manages to make Calico an incredibly heartfelt and warm record with ease. Beatty manages to hit indie folk excellence right on the nose; taking the best aspects from some of the most established and upcoming names within the indie folk genre, such as Lizzy McAlpine, Rex Orange County, and Clairo. Calico is extraordinarily sentimental, rustic, and gentle in every aspect, from its production, lyrics, and instrumentals. The nine track album is composed of an elegant collection of ballads written about love, loss, and healing accompanied by a wide variety of soft string instruments. The elements seamlessly blend together, but each individual track still manages to still tell its own story and convey its own unique ambience and message. 

The track “Hunter” is a haunting and breathtaking serenade. With a running time of over seven minutes, the song takes the listener on a sonic and lyrical journey. A collection of brash strings, soft piano keys, and lush vocal layering combine to make this song feel both ominous and whimsical all at the same time. Beatty sings that “You woke from a nightmare / Your nightmare woke me up from a dream,” which perfectly captures the atmosphere produced by the track. “Hunter” feels other-worldly and easy to get lost in, but not in a bad way. Despite its lengthy running time and somber atmosphere, Beatty keeps the listener enticed and entranced for the entirety of the song. “Hunter” brings the listener on a journey to find their inner peace and establish their boundaries, and it is nothing short of beautiful.

“Bruises Off the Peach” is an empowering and heart-warming track about self-love and healing from the wounds of a past relationship. The production is intricately fun and inspiring; the pops of string instruments and percussion feel homely and comfortable. Beatty keeps the vocals airy and bright, but they slowly become stronger as the emotional content of the lyrics continually builds. Despite second-guessing and self-doubting, Beatty ultimately finds solace and closure while singing “I cut all the bruises off the peach / not as beautiful but still as sweet.” The scars of the past may cause people to permanently change, but Beatty reassures listeners in “Bruises Off the Peach that the lessons learned and the bruises left by a toxic relationship will never change someone’s pure-heartedness and the contents of their soul deep down.

The opening track “Ribbons” properly establishes the tone of Calico as a whole; it’s introspective, melancholic, and smooth. The background track leads with a delicate piano melody and accompanying strings as Beatty sings about the subtle memories and intricacies of life that pass us by. The track ends with a gorgeous instrumental choir of strings that carry the listener on a cloud until it comes to an abrupt conclusion. Beatty sings earlier that people realize that they are “just happy to, to be here at all” when “suddenly [they’re] older.” Life is precious, beautiful, and simple, just like “Ribbons;” however, it can find its end just as quickly as well. Beatty expresses through “Ribbons” that life’s modesties should not be overlooked but celebrated and cherished at every opportunity. 

Beatty defines that there is no set trajectory when it comes to self-healing and growth. In the track “Multiple Endings”, he sings that “I don’t answer to you / I went through days with multiple endings / just to get through.” There is no way to predict the future and control all of the various factors that impact one’s life. Even though it may be frightening to explore the depths of the unknown, it is a necessity to power through and find out which path someone needs to follow in order to truly heal and grow. “Multiple Endings” and Calico as a whole describe that the only thing holding us back is ourselves; once we break free from those self-imposed shackles, we will discover a new kind of inner peace and serendipity.

Ryan Beatty’s transition from alternative R&B to indie folk is flawless, and Calico is arguably some of the greatest work released by Beatty so far. While deviating from his traditional genre, style, and composition, Ryan Beatty has proved that his art can and will be expressed in the fashion that he best sees fit, opening the doors to an exciting future for his musical career.