Ria Moran Finds Emotional Clarity on Debut Album ‘Cubico’
London-based alt-soul singer-songwriter Ria Moran has released her long-anticipated debut album, ‘Cubico’, via DeepMatter Records, a deeply introspective and emotionally rich collection that signals a bold new phase in her musical journey.
Best known for her collaborations with the likes of Nubiyan Twist, Daniel Casimir, and Gotts Street Park, Cubico sees Ria stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, crafting a body of work that is as personal as it is sonically adventurous. Created in close collaboration with producer Tom Excell (Ego Ella May, Nubiyan Twist), the album finds its footing in neo-soul, alternative R&B, and subtle electronic textures — all elevated by Ria’s unmistakable vocal warmth and lyrical depth.
Across 11 tracks, Cubico reads like a therapy journal. It explores themes of self-care, trauma, love, and human connection, drawing influence from the writing of Gabor Maté and Ria’s own experiences in psychotherapy. On the album’s opening track “Slow Breathing”, shimmering guitars and a laid-back hip-hop groove sit beneath lyrics exploring the physical manifestations of anxiety — a theme that reappears throughout the record, especially on the haunting “Automatic” and the dreamy, bittersweet “No Reason (Ode to You)”.
Speaking on the project, Ria describes Cubico as her most honest and emotionally revealing work to date: “I wanted the album to feel authentic to me and my experiences, without fear of exploration... It takes listeners down a few different paths, but at its core, it’s always about feeling something real.”
The record’s sonic palette is beautifully varied, moving from lush, bass-driven R&B to raw, lo-fi moments of introspection. Ria’s background as an instrumentalist comes through in her detailed arrangements, with looping progressions and subtle rhythmic shifts adding depth to every track. A standout team of collaborators, including Luke Wynter, Tal Janes, and Lewis Moody, bring further richness to the sound without ever overshadowing its emotional heart.
With previous support from BBC Introducing, Worldwide FM, and BBC Radio 6 Music, and her debut EP Moving Into The Light amassing over a million streams, Cubico feels like a natural yet elevated progression — proof that Ria Moran isn’t just a voice in the room, but a storyteller with something vital to say.
