New York City-based indie pop-rock musician and actress Rivkah Reyes dropped new single “Ugly Cry,” which will be featured on Reyes’ debut EP Fan Favorite, coming out Nov. 6. The track explores the confusing pull and push of a hot-and-heavy queer relationship, a theme Reyes will continue to explore on the upcoming EP. The emo-like pop sound is akin to that of Hayley Williams.
Co-written by Reyes and Jesse Aicher, who has written for artists like girlpuppy, Ava Max and G-Eazy, the instrumentals’ groovy guitar, steady bass and fierce drums match the intensity of the yearning, raunchy lyrics. The song builds on itself, matching the overwhelming and confusing feelings Reyes belts about.
“‘Ugly Cry’ is for the girls who go absolutely insane when their girlfriend starts pulling away. I have a disorganized attachment style, so unfortunately I know this dance very well. She pulls away, I chase her. She wants me back, I get bored,” Reyes said. “I think I might actually enjoy the yearning more than the relationship itself, which is a pretty humiliating thing to admit publicly.”
The 34-year-old musician and actor, most notably playing child bassist Katie in the 2003 classic School of Rock, Reyes released their debut single “sick” in 2024. Upon its release, it was named on Rolling Stone’s Songs You Need To Know. This year, three singles predated their newest song — “Menace,” a song about the vicious cycle of addiction, “Miss Congeniality,” an emo-tinged pop track inspired by Sandra Bullock’s performance in the 2000 film with the same title and “Debt Collector,” a heartfelt breakup anthem.
A lifelong musician, Reyes’ sound is inspired by women across the pop and rock sphere, from Joan Jett and Hole to Lana Del Rey and Mazzy Star. With lyrical vulnerability and upbeat instrumentals, Reyes finds a balance between emotional intimacy and the pop-rock sound.
Rivkah Reyes will perform three shows as a part of The Homecoming Tour. The first performance will be an EP release party on Nov. 6 at The Sultan Room in Brooklyn, followed by an appearance at West Hollywood’s Peppermint Club on Nov. 12 and The Empty Bottle in Chicago on Nov. 24.
Listen to “Ugly Cry” here. Pre-save Fan Favorite here.
Comments are closed.