RIVAL Presents: This Week’s Round-up

We’re more or less right in the middle of March already, can you believe it? The year seems to be swooshing past us already, and new music is coming out faster than ever. How to keep up? Well, we here at RIVAL feel like there’s a bunch of artists who deserve your discerning ear and careful attention, and this week we have a nice little round-up featuring a handful of great artists, and their hottest new releases, check it out!

TAYLOR BICKETT

With a simple yet incredibly poignant message, Taylor Bicket opens her chilling new music video for “The Crime.” “1 In 3 women experience violence in their lifetime” it reads. We see Taylor walking down a hazy street, shot in a somewhat claustrophobic screen format, to focus our eyes and ears on what is a powerful plea for justice and safety.

This track dives into the challenges women face regarding violence and aims to inspire empowerment. In a significant move, she’s partnered with The Circle, a charity founded by Annie Lennox, to support efforts against violence towards women, with proceeds from the single going directly to this cause. Taylor is also gearing up for a solo acoustic tour across major cities like Nashville, New York City, and Los Angeles, where every ticket sold will contribute to The Circle's mission. Tickets here.

Fans of indie-pop artists like Sara Bareilles and Conan Gray will likely connect with her sound, which has already resonated widely, especially after her viral hit “QUARTER LIFE CRISIS.”

CHARLIE CUNNINGHAM

We have yet another music video to share, or perhaps we should call it a visualizer… this time “Shape of Tomorrow” by Charlie Cunningham comes in, also in black and white, with abstract visuals that perfectly represent the mood and style of his indie-Brit sound.

But “The Shape of Tomorrow” isn’t the sole protagonist here, because we’re also celebrating the release of his fourth studio album, “In Light”  This album, born from a collaboration with producer Luke Smith, explores authenticity in the face of an artistic world trying to make sense of Artificial Intelligence.

Cunningham's UK/European tour kicks off in April 2025, featuring stops at iconic venues like The Barbican in London. North American dates are coming soon. Tour dates and tickets.

ISAIAH STONE

Isaiah Stone’s “Leavin!” is an indie rock anthem celebrating personal freedom and the thrill of breaking away. The track blends classic rock vibes with modern flair. Teetering between a coming-of-age journey and a rebellious escape, “Leavin!” is a bold testament to the power of walking away. Its rebellious spirit is fueled by gritty guitar licks and Isaiah Stone’s soul-baring lyricism. Blending elements of funk, pop, and rock, the track further cements his reputation as an artist unbound by genre.

STEPHEN STANLEY

Racking up over 165 million streams and hitting 1 million followers on TikTok, Stephen Stanley seems to be on fire. His tracks have made their mark even outside of his fanbase, landing placements in the trailer for "My Penguin Friend" and shows like ABC’s "Station 19" and "Britain's Got Talent."

His latest song,  “this far down” is a very personal anthem about overcoming feelings of rejection and trusting the journey ahead. This theme is central to his upcoming album, “trustfall” set to release this coming April. To top it all off, Stephen is set to kick off his first headlining tour, (Also titled “trustfall”) starting April 22, 2025, in Vienna, VA. With twenty-eight dates lined up, fans can look forward to a very special moment.

RYAL

RYAL, the cool-as-heck synth-pop duo, just dropped a fresh remix of their standout track "Skyscraper." A song born from observing and feeling the wave of folks leaving NYC during the pandemic. The original track has really taken off, becoming RYAL's top streaming hit and landing on more playlists than any of their other songs.

In "Skyscraper REMIX," RYAL captures the bittersweet essence of nostalgia and growth. The city symbolizes a cherished past, where dreams are born and resilience is forged. The struggle to leave this familiar place reflects an internal battle between comfort and the allure of new horizons. Ultimately, the song celebrates enduring connections and the bittersweet nature of moving on, highlighting that while the past shapes us, the future beckons.

ALWYN MORRISON

Alwyn Morrison, influenced by the likes of Oasis and The Cranberries, transitioned from music journalist to artist, delivering authentic and relatable anthems from a perspective we’re not used to. Written in late 2023 and refined in Los Angeles, Alwyn Morrison's latest synth-pop single, "Lenox Hill," reflects spontaneous creativity and deep personal experience, captured into a musical vignette set in a vibrant New York neighborhood.

With a music video shot by Denice Flores Almendares, the visual narrative really brings that aforementioned vignette to life, and thus "Lenox Hill" stands out as a poignant exploration of love's journey, resonating well beyond its urban backdrop.