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Finding Clarity in Chaos: The Heartfelt Story Behind Ryan Toomin’s ‘Disarray’

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Ryan Toomin’s debut album, Disarray, is a warm, introspective collection that blends indie rock, power pop, and soft rock influences into a sound as heartfelt as it is personal. From the opening track, Toomin sets the tone for an album that is equal parts reflective and hopeful. The record feels intimate and deeply honest, with Toomin playing every instrument himself, a testament to his multi-instrumental talent and DIY approach to music. Disarray, is a record that invites listeners to walk alongside Toomin as he navigates life’s ups and downs, all while delivering lush melodies and thoughtful songwriting.

The album’s emotional core revolves around Toomin’s journey from Los Angeles to Lexington, Kentucky, a change that shaped much of the material. The title track, “Disarray,” captures the confusion of personal growth, layering melancholy guitar riffs with warm vocal harmonies that echo the bittersweet nature of change.

Stylistically, Disarray, pulls from Toomin’s early influences, with traces of Elliott Smith’s melancholic lyricism and Radiohead’s atmospheric soundscapes evident throughout. His experience in producing and recording the album on his own shines, particularly in the layered guitar work and crisp vocal arrangements.

One of the most remarkable aspects of, Disarray, is the emotional range Toomin conveys over just nine tracks. The album moves from somber reflections on loneliness to songs that explore hope and new beginnings, most notably on tracks like “Bruises” which finds him emerging from the shadows of past relationships into a more peaceful place. The instrumental arrangements reflect this shift, moving from sparse, acoustic moments to fuller, more anthemic compositions. Toomin’s voice, warm and inviting, guides listeners through each stage of the journey with a sincerity that feels refreshing.

In all, Disarray, is an impressive debut, marked by honest storytelling, intricate musicianship, and a sense of vulnerability that makes it stand out in the indie rock landscape. It’s clear that Toomin poured himself into every aspect of the album, making it a fully realized reflection of his artistic vision. By the end of the record, listeners will feel as though they’ve experienced a deeply personal transformation, and, much like Toomin, they’ll come away from it with a sense of calm after the storm.

SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM

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Waz-u drops ambient gem ‘Vermillion’ ft. Lilyg

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London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.

Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’

‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.

Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.

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