Newcastle newcomers Cat Ryan take us track-by-track by their sweetly seductive debut EP ‘King of the World,’ a enjoyable and frisky indie pop document whose brilliant beats and dreamy, summery tones could have listeners smiling from ear to ear.
for followers of Vampire Weekend, Hippo Campus, Alvvays
Stream: “Rex Mundi” – Cat Ryan
It’s arduous to not really feel just like the king of the world whereas listening to Cat Ryan’s debut EP.
The Newcastle four-piece get us shifting, grooving, and smiling from ear to ear with their brilliant tones, daring melodies, and effusive beats. Every tune is one other enchanting, immersive alternative to sing and dance alongside, and whether or not you’re the type of listener who picks lyrics aside line by line, or the sort who prefers to get drowned in sound, Cat Ryan have a little bit one thing for everybody. Fun, frisky, and sweetly seductive, the five-track King of the World is a radiant introduction to an thrilling new indie pop band right here to uplift and encourage, enchant and empower all who tune in to their dreamy reverie.
A greyhound racer is a factor to be
You danger your money with a guess on me
A hare in my face how can I see
I′m operating so quick I really feel like I’m the
King of the world, I′m Rex Mundi
I’m made to put on a muzzle however I can nonetheless communicate
Talk speak however you continue to don’t see
I′m operating away ′trigger you’re merciless to me
There’s one thing innately liberating about these songs; it’s as if Cat Ryan have unlocked some type of secret to the nice life, however the catch is, they’ll solely share it by music. Independently launched December 15, 2023, King of the World is the invigorating, exhilarating reply to a query we didn’t know wanted asking.
Comprised as we speak of lead singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Mary-Anne Murphy alongside Dan Wright, Jake Waller, and Charlie Radford, Cat Ryan have been engaged on a novel model of dreamy, shoegaze-inflected indie pop for 4 lengthy years now. The band’s debut single “Mannerism” tragically launched on March 4, 2020; a tune so bubbly and stuffed with connective, exuberant vitality, it got here to life in a world that was within the technique of shutting down.
But that did little to discourage Cat Ryan, who continued to tease music all through that 12 months, all of the whereas honing their craft behind the scenes. To its credit score, “Mannerism” now sits at half one million streams, making it the group’s hottest launch – and it’s out of this robust, strong basis that they grew to become the buoyant band they’re as we speak.
“Our sound is a fusion of vibrant melodies, infectious hooks, and musical experimentation inspired by a blend of indie pop, shoegaze, and folk,” Cat Ryan’s frontwoman Mary-Anne Murphy tells Atwood Magazine. “I always gravitate towards creating a strong melody that’s often quite fiddly and has a happy Irish folk feel to it. I come from a background in Irish traditional music, playing the banjo primarily, so I think that has subconsciously wormed its way into our sound. When I’m songwriting, I often find myself incorporating storytelling into the songs to create a musical landscape that resonates on a deeper level than just the music and tells a narrative that people can follow.”
Cat Ryan have burst by the gates with a sonic palette much like (however nonetheless very distinct from) bands like Vampire Weekend, Hippo Campus, The Shins, and Phoenix. Their buoyant guitars and glistening keys – to not point out Murphy’s punchy, passionate voice – appear to channel the very rays of the solar, exuding a candy warmth that may finest be described as a “feel-good energy.”
“It’s capturing the essence of our signature style while showcasing a broader range of emotions and musical experimentation,” Murphy says of the EP. “But it also showcases our diverse brand of indie pop, cementing our foundation in the music scene and hinting at what’s to come, because this is just the start!”
While King of the World is a refreshingly brilliant and energizing hear, the document itself is a very long time coming – a few of its songs date again to Murphy’s teenage years.
For Murphy and her bandmates, these 5 tracks are themselves indicative of simply how far Cat Ryan has are available in a couple of quick years; she considers it an introduction to their evolution collectively as a band. Meanwhile, for us as their viewers, these songs make for an immediately memorable – and completely fulfilling – listening expertise.
“This EP is deeply personal as it features some of the earliest songs I wrote for the project back when I was 17 or 18,” Murphy explains. “The songs underwent evolution over the years, reflecting the diverse essence of our style whilst still reflecting the origins of our sound.”
“Our vision was to showcase our variation and capture our evolved sound that defines us now,” she provides. “We also wanted to form a more cohesive narrative between the songs that reflects our growth as artists. Throughout the recording process, the aim remained to preserve the authenticity of the original songs while adding new layers and further depth to the compositions.”
She candidly describes this EP as vibrant, dynamic, and evocative.
“The title draws inspiration from the leading track ‘Rex Mundi,’ which translates to ‘King of the World’ from Latin,” Murphy explains. “The title encapsulates the EP’s theme of empowerment and liberation from constraints, symbolised by the greyhound’s pursuit of freedom. It’s actually inspired by our real-life greyhound friend called Rex Mundi who lives in Ireland. He’s kind of become the face of Cat Ryan recently!”
Highlights abound on the thirteen-minute journey from “Speeding Too Slow” to “Daydream.” Sun-kissed title observe “Rex Mundi” is a definitive standout, its bustling groove as infectious because the dreamy topline melody shared by each the vocals and guitars.
“‘Rex Mundi’ reflects our lyrical storytelling style and embodies an energetic narrative told from the perspective of a greyhound trying to break free from his constraints,” Murphy provides. The fast-paced nature of the music was meant to mirror the essence of Rex Mundi the greyhound.”
“I think my favourite lyric is in Rex Mundi where it says, ‘A hare in my face, how can I see?’ she adds. “It’s a reference to greyhound racing, where they get the dogs to chase the mechanical hare around the track. It’s supposed to symbolise being controlled by society and politics and not being allowed to express yourself or make your own choices. Before you read the lyrics you might think it says ‘hair’ so it kind of has a double meaning, but still implies being blinded or constrained.”
Murphy cites that tune and the EP’s jumpy, spirited opener “Speeding Too Slow” as her two present favorites. “I think they showcase our individuality the best, and they’re also just really fun to perform with both being quite jaunty and upbeat!”
From dazzling vocal performances to the complete band’s spirited instrumental work and past, King of the World proves a wealthy, heat, and smile-inducing journey.
“For us, releasing this EP is like sharing a piece of our evolving journey,” Murphy shares, “and we want to invite listeners into our world and allow them to explore their own emotions and stories through the diverse sounds and narratives within the music.”
Experience the complete document by way of our under stream, and peek inside Cat Ryan’s fascinating King of the World EP with Atwood Magazine as Mary-Anne Murphy takes us track-by-track by the music and lyrics of the band’s golden-hued debut EP!
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:: stream/buy King of the World right here ::
:: join with Cat Ryan right here ::
Stream: ‘King of the World’ – Cat Ryan
:: Inside King of the World ::
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Speeding Too Slow
This tune delves into the complexities of timing in relationships and being caught in a loop of missed probabilities, however leaving a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. The playful rhythm and mix of devices emphasise the irony of being “too little, too late,” including a vibrant vitality to the storytelling.
Rex Mundi
Our vibrant lead single captures the angle of a greyhound striving for liberation, symbolising the pursuit of non-public freedom. The observe’s fast-paced nature embodies the essence of ‘king of the world,’ aligning with the EP’s recurring theme of breaking free from constraints.
Interlude
Originally an experimental piece, its inclusion within the EP provides a mysterious and intriguing break inside the narrative, serving as an instrumental interlude.
Lost My Connection
Detailing the constraints of long-distance relationships, this observe explores the breakdown of digital connections amidst the trendy age. Its juxtaposition of uplifting melodies with the underlying disappointment mirrors the will to search out hope regardless of relationship hurdles.
Daydream
Delving into intense themes of affection and private insecurities inside relationships, this observe affords a mellower sound with emotionally resonant tones. Its number of melodies and shoe-gaze-influenced sounds encapsulate the complexities of affection while being caught in jail of self-doubt.
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:: stream/buy King of the World right here ::
:: join with Cat Ryan right here ::
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© Will Copley artwork © Bethan Harris
© Will Copley
artwork © Bethan Harris
