Watch Ryal’s Endlessly Entertaining Video for ‘city Lives’ [premiere]

Putting a playful spin on the idea of self-identity, specifically in the context of the city, Ryal makes her vibrant debut on the indie pop scene with her video for “City Lives”. Leaving behind a more moody, atmospheric sound on her previous project, Strip Darling, Ryal aims now for a disco punk-oriented vibe instead. Drawing comparisons to LCD Soundsystem, Blondie and The Pretenders, she embraces the 1970s through the lens of right now. Convincingly portraying various characters from hippie to yuppie to waitress, Ryal’s “City Lives” is a fun take on “be who you wanna be.” “Who you gonna be?/Who you gonna love?/Who you gonna be?/Who you gonna love?/So many lives in the city lights/Just make up your mind now.” The track alone is entirely charming but when paired with the video’s diverse characterization and expert transitions, “City Lives” becomes endlessly entertaining. A debut like this one goes to show that not only is Ryal too damn cool, but that she could easily be pop royalty — that is, if that’s who she wants to be. Watch the premiere for Ryal’s “City Lives” today and look for her debut EP out this fall.