ALBUM REVIEW: The Fool - Ryn Weaver

 An art school drop out who felt a generic spelling of her name was not unique enough for her, Ryn Weaver desired to take the world by storm in a different way. Signed to Benny Blanco's label under the Interscope Records imprint, she began working on a record. Her debut single, Octahate, was released on her soundcloud and garnered attention of bigger acts like Charli XCX and Hayley Williams of Paramore. This rocketed the song to number one on Billboard's Emerging Artists chart in 2014. Disappointingly, The Fool has been Ryn's only full release. I would have liked to see what direction she wanted to go in since The Fool, but I think she has been a bit lost in the mix of ever changing musical seas. 

The Fool as an album is meant to be a walkthrough of life decisions and risks. Would you settle for safe, comfortable, and what you thought you wanted prior or will you risk all of this to go for the thing you truly ache for? With that, the album goes through moments of love, loss, doubt, self-discoveries, and even family connection. Are you more of a fool for settling, or a fool for leaving everything behind?

The heights of this album come from Ryn's emotional efforts. The raw vocals, the trill in her voice, honest lyricisms. At times, the musical structure can feel a little bland. You may have heard it before, or feel the songs begin to melt together. Pop music can tend to fall into this problem, but the real moment of shining is her conviction. You feel the agony of Octahate, the regret of Promises, the ache in Traveling Song. Make no mistake, she can be very memorable. It is a solid debut effort, enough to make me wish we travelled to a sophomore release that has yet to exist. 

The album begins with "Runaway", an ode to taking the risk. Unsatisfied with what was, another "Eve biting the apple", maybe "hungry" for more than what is had already. It seems a very human experience to want to experience the grass on the other side. The introduction I think takes away from this track. The bizarre electronic intro before breaking into a song with a completely different sonic element. Ends up a bit tribal in spirit. 

"Octahate" is how I originally heard her, as many others did. The chorus is sang with such a conviction that keeps you addictively coming back. Yelling it at the top of your lungs. The agony is also infectious, the feeling of drowning in the melodrama of a relationship breaking down. 

If you were looking for something a tad more fun, "Pierre" meets the criteria. I find it not quite my taste, but I can imagine why someone else might find it fun and relatable. 

The yearning slower "Stay Low" has implied sensualities to love and romance. Not wanting to rush a romance. A very relatable track. 

"Sail On" is an ode to swimming along even when you do not want to. It feels a little generic for an uplifting track so it feels a bit more like filler, but it can be a nice pick me up. 

"The Fool" is another relatable track song with emotional passion. It definitely relates to a complicated rekindled old flame of a romance. You do feel like a fool going back and forth, but the heart wants what it wants. 

A mellower note, "Promises" seems more reminiscent of the struggles in "Runaway", trying to grow but also struggling to let go of what was. It however does struggle with feeling a bit repetitive lyrically. 

Cannot continue on without an enchanting love song, and "Free" covers this place. I do like the heartbeat in major keys line. It can be hard to find something new to say in a love song, they may feel all a bit...done before. But this one found that unique footing. 

"Traveling Song" is the most beautiful song on the album. While it is an ode to her late Grandfather, who had supported her in her dreams, the song could easily connect to any lost friend or lover of past. 

"Here is Home" carries a more uplifting note with a love song after such a heavy song. Letting her lover know that wherever she is with them, it is home. It also represents trust, as she believes regardless of where they go, they will come home. 

The album closes with "New Constellations", which brings the theme of adventuring life into a fuller picture as she discusses many times in history that humans charted for "more" in their lives. These new constellations help us all in the end.

MUSIC: 6/10 - There's nothing exactly spectacular, new, or standout musicality wise compared to other releases of similar times. Most of the songs fit the music well, although sometimes there are electronic bits that sometimes feel a bit overdone for the song. 

LYRICS: 7/10 - While some songs feel a bit fillery and fall flat, others stand out heavily and keep you coming back.

Overall: 6/10 - I feel it is a very solid debut that can be grown upon - but perhaps her fear of commitment left her struggling to commit to another album release. I would love to hear a followup, especially after so many years. Did she go in a new direction? New life inspiration? In the mean time, you can try The Fool and see if you care to hear more.