| Grimalkin is releasing Beauty by Michael Rideron June 27. Beauty, the fifth studio album by singer-songwriter Michael Rider (they/them), untangles the web of an abusive relationship during a time of great isolation under Covid-19. The artist writes about feelings of turbulent love, losing trust in oneself, and trying to be a good partner to the wrong person. “I wanted to express this story as it is one I’ve heard before, especially as someone in the LGBTQIA+ community. I never thought I would be a victim. But I realized, if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone. I didn’t want to stay quiet.” Rider sings of the different phases in a toxic partnership, colored by the isolation of the pandemic. The opener, “Hooked on You,” captures feelings of codependency, desperately wanting to be free from someone, yet unable to leave, with a sticky refrain mimicking just how circular thoughts can become when trapped in this cycle. “Try Real Hard” sympathizes with an abuser, unpacking the circumstances that led to their pain and harmful behavior. “When It Rains, It Storms” is a song of nurturing, demonstrating the vulnerability of an abuser and how their victim stays due to that weakness. Several tracks take time to zoom out of personal affairs, painting a harsh picture of the time. “Mind Control” is about the underlying paranoia of surveillance in the modern era, and “Come to Find You’re Fine” touches on the bleakness of city life. Each track portrays a person not in control of their life, stuck in a tangle of emotions and trauma that keeps them tied to a harmful situation. The final two tracks, “Swans” and “Peace,” are conclusions to the hurt, when the subject is able to pull themselves out of their depressive state and find self-worth s not time to give up on yourself/It’s not time to give up on your dreams.” The album is a collaboration between co-producer M the Myth (they/them) and Rider. The title, Beauty, is partially inspired by their western astrological signs both being ruled by the goddess of love and beauty, Venus. It was produced entirely over Zoom, much like the time period evoked in the work, with Rider in New York City and M in Fresno, California. This project marks their second studio album to be released with Grimalkin Records, a collective of like-minded creatives championing the work of marginalized voices, including queer, disabled, BIPOC, and neurodiverse. Rider currently serves as a board member for the organization. Rider moved to New York City from Richmond, VA in 2013 to attend the School of Visual Arts. Having been a student of both Richmond painter Mary Scurlock (Center for the Arts) and singer/songwriter, Charlotte Martin (Something Like A Music School) Rider’s training is a reflection of their unique visions. They broke their teeth playing open mics at The SideWalk Cafe (Regina Spektor, Moldy Peaches, and Kimya Dawson), playing shows along the east coast, and releasing four studio albums since 2011. Their latest album, Cycle, was Wavy Award nominated in 2022 for Best Album. Photography by Carly Starnes |
Paper Phoenix ink 