In a year where time has become increasingly ambiguous; Michael Ryan has done his part to alert us all of each new month’s arrival with his single releases. The Town Heroes frontman completes his year-long journey with today’s release of “Empire”.
The single opens soft and almost scarce with only Ryan’s trembling vocals backed by a solitary guitar before growing gradually to its masterful, emotional crescendo. Enlisting the expansive talents of Kinley Dowling (KINLEY, Hey Rosetta!) on violin and Blanche Israel (Jeremy Dutcher) on cello, Ryan channels his inner Bryan Adams in ensuring his wife knows well that everything he does is, and always has been, for her. He aims squarely for the listener’s hearts and doesn’t miss with his tender testimony to building a life together through life’s turmoil.
The single is a rousing ode to love and support amidst trying times.
“In April, as we all started to realize this wasn’t going away any time soon, I feel like a lot of people started to get scared,” says Ryan. “And then the shooting happened.”
It was during this challenging span that the singer found himself driven to assure his partner that he was and will be there for them. Ryan thoughtfully and sincerely showcases this dedication through vocals that waver more than his feelings ever will.
What resonates most throughout the track though, is not the selfless commitment to be there for another. It’s that Ryan realizes and acknowledges he is better for it. “I’m not so brave but I am when it’s for you, I hope that’s enough”.
In addition to serving as this song’s muse, wife Kristen Herrington has lent her talents to creating original artwork to coincide with each single. For the finale, she plans to provide herself additional space for expression by doubling the size of the canvas.
“The final painting in this collaboration had to represent the culmination of the work we’ve completed together,” says Herrington. “Empire speaks to our ambitions and dreams as a couple. Creating something worthy of that vision was so important.”
With “Empire” serving as the culmination of Ryan’s efforts, a physical release of the years-worth of singles is forthcoming. The singer has finished on a delightfully collaborative effort, surrounding his heartfelt words with a musical arrangement worthy of his message.