Riley Max Is the Prism and "ROY G BIV" Is Her Rainbow

Riley Max is a talented teenage singer-songwriter based in Colorado. Her album, titled "ROY G BIV", draws inspiration from the various colors of emotions. The album features a blend of pop, rock, folk, and jazz elements, resulting in a distinctive and expressive musical experience. The album takes the listener on a journey through different emotions, with each song capturing a unique feeling or mood. Her thought-provoking lyrics, enriched with poignant social commentary have been exhibited at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art.

“The idea of doing the whole spectrum of colors was to show a very wide range of experiences and relationships. I hope that everybody can relate to at least something in there and take something away.”

Riley Max is a highly experienced performer who has an impressive track record of singing and performing in a variety of settings. She has collaborated with other artists on several acclaimed recordings and chart-topping hits and has performed live on tours and at major events. In addition to her work as a performer, Riley is also a talented composer and poet who has written a cohesive and meaningful concept album for her first solo release. Her unique approach to songwriting sets her apart from many other young artists who focus on creating standalone singles.

ROY G BIV can be chalked as a somewhat experimental, conceptual piece, and it certainly opens up in the most unexpected of ways with “18”, a brief quasi-orchestral introduction to this magnificent world of hues and tonalities.

The first real song is “Red” and from the moment it begins -like the color- it is entirely visceral and passionate, even violent. The way that Riley belts out powerful notes alongside her piano will serve to make short work out of any doubts or reservations you may have about this young artist. Every song follows this formula perfectly and in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Orange is off-kilter and quirky, while yellow (live recorded) is both mellow and poignant, and so on for every single masterclass in composition and songwriting that you’ll find laid out across this album.

The album ROY G BIV is a musical expression of the idea that every moment and relationship is shaped by the various colors of our emotions. Riley Max composed the music and lyrics for each track and also played the keyboard and guitar. In addition to her own contributions, Riley collaborated with other musicians, including Doctor Noize, Art Bouton, and David Amaya, as well as a full-string section. Together, they co-produced each track on the album, resulting in a cohesive and emotionally resonant musical experience that you simply cannot miss.
What does the future hold for such a talented one? 

STAY IN TOUCH WITH RILEY MAX ON INSTAGRAM

MEET THE AUTHOR

Samuel Aponte is Venezuelan-born raised and based.

I joined Rival Magazine after a few years of doing PR work for independent musicians of all stripes; understanding their struggles to be heard in a sea of constant ADHD noise and paywalled access to platforms, I now bring a willingness to always appreciate and encourage the effort and creativity that artists put into their work. Can also find some of my writings on LADYGUNN and We Found New Music.