Establishing the mood with a haunting and cerebral rising guitar soundscape, expanding into a cohesive alternative rock energy, RIOT SON opens Another Chance with instrumental mastery and hypnotic vocals. We immediately connect with the poetic prowess that manifests and the notions of nostalgia that come through with the analogue sonic universe.
Fans of Placebo, Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins and Muse would absolutely be able to vibe with Another Chance. There is no doubt that the song holds a cinematic allure, and we could imagine the track landing a sync placement in Netflix’s upcoming series, The Body, or perhaps an episode of Euphoria. It would also work well in a Cruel Intentions reboot, or a film such as Incoming.
As for the message of the song, Another Chance is pretty relatable and explores the bittersweet tension between holding onto a relationship and recognising when it is time to let it go. RIOT SON elaborates, “The bridge becomes a dialogue between two opposing emotional states. I wanted the vocals and arrangement to embody that internal conflict rather than simply describe it—a push and pull between resistance, regret and the possibility of starting again.”
We learn that RIOT SON is the project of an independent artist based in Boone, North Carolina, whose self-described “Appalachian gloom” translates the isolation of mountain-town life into a wider sonic language. Working with German producer Manget$u, whose background includes collaborations with Ekkstacy, the artist opens a new chapter with this single, the first release from a forthcoming four-track EP. RIOT SON also cites The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, The Drums, Surf Curse and Royel Otis as influences for his sound. On the recording process, he confesses, “The aim wasn’t to make every layer sound polished or identical; it was to let the differences between them become part of the song’s character.”
Needless to say, we are in awe of Another Chance and have added the track to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of RIOT SON, including PULSE, Falling Down, and Friday.