Encapsulating the essence of being young and in your 20s, as well as capturing the hangover of sadness and thrill to do whatever you want to feel alive, Rya Park brings us her new track ‘Generational’.
The track follows the success of its predecessors ‘NYE’ and ‘SAD’ which received praise from Cool Accidents and Ramona Magazine, as well as being added to high rotation on Triple J Unearthed. Rya’s music has landed Spotify playlisting spots on New Music Friday, Pop N Fresh as well as the international Fresh Finds and Pop Fresh Finds playlists. Apple Music have also been a huge support, playlisting previous releases on Alt Pop and New Music Daily.
Teaming up with her bestie and producer Sam Phay for her new single ‘Generational’, the pair wrote the song on a hot November night on which Rya was still feeling the unavoidable and depressing aftermath from a big night out. Finessing the track was Temper Trap’s Toby Dundas, who played drums, helping to bring the song to life.
With ‘NYE’ setting the “party†vibe, the track was quite different to what Rya Park would usually release. Her new single ‘Generational’ brings it back to her roots with being a slightly slower track. The song melds her two worlds of pop sensibility juxtaposed with undertones of melancholy. The new single being a more measured reflection on what it means to truly look after yourself mentally.
“I was a very self-conscious and insecure teenager and up until recently I could only socialise and be myself while partying. It’s only in the last year that I’ve truly realised how that actually affects me day to day. It was a vicious cycle of feeling depressed and anxious, drinking to ease the pain and then the hangover would be followed by horrendous week of low mood.â€
Rya’s music regularly exploring themes of mental health, something the artist has dealt with for many years. More recently she has taken time to reflect, using her music as catharsis and moving into a healthier, more positive direction, leaving some of those insecurities behind for now.
You’ll be able to see Rya Park perform her music live at this year’s St. Kilda Festival alongside Baker Boy, KYE, George Alice + more. She will also be supporting Jack River at Peaks & Sounds Festival later in March.
2022 will see the artist releasing her first and long-awaited debut EP with headline shows to come too.