In a world where love often feels like a battlefield, Ryan Ritual’s Not Dead, featuring the lush vocals of Manchester singer-songwriter Ellysse Mason, emerges as a triumphant anthem of resilience and rebirth. Not Dead is the focus track from Ritual’s debut album, The Weight of Love, which dropped today.
Not Dead envelops you in a sonic cocoon of pulsating synths, electric guitars, and drums that reverberate through your very core. The production in the hands of the talented Chris Zane (known for his work with Passion Pit and The Walkmen) is crisp and dynamic, creating a vibrant soundscape that serves as the perfect backdrop for a narrative of overcoming toxic love.
Ryan Ritual’s voice is a smooth elixir of soul, effortlessly blending with Ellysse Mason’s sweet yet powerful timbre. Together, they create a harmonious chemistry that mirrors the song’s thematic tension between despair and hope.
The lyrics are a poignant exploration of a love that refuses to die, even when it probably should, especially with lines like “I’m not dead; I’m just living without you” and “You can’t kill me; I’m a phoenix rising from the ashes,” which are not just catchy but empowering affirmations. The song captures the emotional limbo of wanting to move on but being tethered to the past, a sentiment that resonates with anyone who’s ever been in a complicated relationship.
Positioned within The Weight of Love, Not Dead is enriched with deeper connotations. The album, a melodic mosaic crafted from sentiments of solitude and emotional turbulence, resonates with echoes of 80s flair intertwined with contemporary introspection. While it doesn’t scream ‘pandemic,’ it certainly whispers the subtle agonies and muted ecstasies of a world on pause. Not Dead stands as a beacon of light in this dark landscape, offering listeners a moment of cathartic release.
In crafting Not Dead, both Ryan Ritual and Ellysse Mason present a contemporary ballad for all navigating the intricate maze of affection and existence.