Karina Rykman, a singer-songwriter and bassist from New York City, released her sophomore album Late Checkout on Sept. 25. The album combines rock and indie pop influences, with Rykman’s airy voice soaring over strong electric guitar and bass.
Rykman grew up in New York City and began playing in bands in her early teens. By the time she graduated from NYU, she was already an experienced performer. To date, her performing credits include America’s Got Talent and accompanying Julia Michaels on NBC. In 2023, Rykman began her solo career with the release of her debut album, Joyride, which was co-produced by Trey Anastasio of Phish.
Now, with Late Checkout, Rykman creates a listening experience that is uniquely her own. The juxtaposition in pitch between her gentle, bright voice and dynamic bass lines results in a complex, layered sound.
Three singles from Late Checkout were released ahead of the album. Among these singles is “Shoegaze Summer,” a track that allows Rykman’s vocal and bass skills to shine in turn. Energetic and ethereal, “Shoegaze Summer” undergoes a tone change at its bridge, showcasing the grittier side of Rykman’s sound.
Throughout the album, Rykman’s love for her art is clear. She does not shy away from bringing humor into her work (for example, walking around a hotel wearing a bathrobe, snorkel, and swimming flippers in the title track’s music video). The song “Seafood Towers” epitomizes the spirit of fun Rykman brings to her music, with the playful insistence to a potential lover, “Don’t ever buy me flowers / All I want are seafood towers.”
As the album progresses, Rykman continues to exude bubbly, energetic rock-star charisma, but the final track, “Where You At?” marks a change of perspective. A much more stripped-back song than many of the tracks on the album, “Where You At?” ends the album on a reflective note that lets Rykman’s voice and songwriting hold their own.
Rykman will begin her 2026 tour with a Sept. 25 performance at Webster Hall in Manhattan. The tour will visit many locations across the United States until its conclusion in December, with tickets available for purchase on Rykman’s website.
Though Rykman’s former album, Joyride, is much loved by fans, Late Checkout showcases a brand-new step in the singer’s musical growth. Rykman plumbs the depths of her soul to show listeners every facet of herself, from playfulness to nostalgia to vulnerability.
Late Checkout, as well as the rest of Karina Rykman’s music, is out on all streaming platforms now.
Key Tracks: Shoegaze Summer, Seafood Towers, Where You At?
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