Posted on 5 September 2023

‘This Path’ is the latest dreamy indie-folk single from the Boston-based singer-songwriter Laney Ryan, whose superlative ethereal atmospheres are always haunted by soulful possession.

With This Path, she delivered the reminder that what is lost will always be found; regardless of how lost and directionless you feel on your path, if you are moving forward, you will always find a way to find your way. The lush with choral reverb shoegaze guitars and the desert folk rhythm section create a captivating soundscape to contemplate the trajectory of your own journey while Ryan’s vocals deliver all of the assuring sanctity you could expect to soak up from a single.

Even though she sounds right at home in her indie folk sound, as a teen, Ryan had heavier music tastes; she eventually joined the LA alt-rock band The Brink, which became well-known in the Hollywood touring circuit. After five years of crafting high-octane hits, Ryan moved back to her hometown and started experimenting with a more acoustic sound that rings through in her contemporary material.

This Path will hit the airwaves on September 5; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Posted on 1 September 2019

https://www.anrfactory.com/laney-ryan-

“Gamble” is just one of the recently released Dark Folk singles found on the up and coming Boston-based artist Ryan’s latest EP “Doorways & Diversions”.

With this release, Laney Ryan has proven that she may just be in possession of the most celestially magnetic vocals we’ve heard this year. Anyone can pick up an acoustic guitar and share a piece of their soul, but very few artists exude the same captivating distinction as what is found in Gamble.

Laney Ryan’s vocals resonate as ethereal whispers over the atmospherically orchestrated stripped-back soundscape which contains plenty of light and dexterous reverb around the tentatively paced acoustic notes.

While some ambient Indie Folk singles offer catharsis, Gamble offers a transcendental experience – especially when the synergy in the steady and soft vocal harmonies meet the top notes in the melodies.

You can check out Laney Ryan’s single Gamble for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

https://www.divideandconquermusic.com/indie-music-album-reviews/laney-ryan-doorways-diversions

11/6/2019 

Laney Ryan

Doorways & Diversions
self-released; 2019
3.9 out of 5
By Jamie Funk

Laney Ryan is an indie singer/songwriter from Boston with a brand new EP entitled Doorways & Diversions. She explains that “the songs came out of a two year period right after a divorce where the floodgates really opened.” Being a musician myself I have to say that these kind of situations more often than not create some of the best music. It’s not exactly a secret that amazing art comes from pain, suffering and discomfort. Something that might not be as apparent is that the creative process is often cathartic for the artist as well. It’s like self-therapy.

I felt like I was picking up on that while listening to these songs - the pain as well as what comes after that. Up first is the haunting song “Gamble.” It revolves around a fairly simple picking pattern and an intimate vocal performance. The vocals aren’t just covered in melancholy however. There is this sort of stoic clarity as if you are staring into the cosmos, swept up and feeling the beauty of your insignificance. She sings, “All that we gamble / All that we hold tight / Try to keep to the light / Ride the wind / And the tide.”

“I Knew” is the most upbeat song on the EP and might be the highlight. Her vocals are fairly somber and warm but also contain just enough energy. It’s like a subtle glimpse of possibility. I loved the melodies on the track and think she did such a good job singing. “Caution” is a bit sobering in comparison but also delicate and beautiful in its own way. It comes closer to the vibe on “Gamble.” The song seems to be about division, things coming to an end and the realization of what’s happening. I thought her lyrics were eloquent and poetic.

“Divide” brings the energy back up but not as upbeat as “I Knew.” Her falsetto sounds great here and the melodies are again very catchy and memorable.

​What can I say? Ryan put her heart on her sleeve and the results are genuine, honest and emotionally resonant songs. In a world where it’s very hard to find what is truth it’s wonderful finding artists like this who are putting it out there.