Ria Moran announces her debut album ‘Cubico’
Listen to the albums first offering ‘No Reason (Ode to You)’ ft. Paul Grant
Liverpool-raised, London-based alt-soul singer-songwriter Ria Moran announces her debut album ‘Cubico’ with the release of lead single ‘No Reason (Ode to You)’. The track delves into Ria’s forward-thinking take on soul music, blending silky electronics with neo-soul and alternative influences.
Carefully constructed with groove at its core, the track sees Ria and co-producer Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, Ego Ella May) create a dreamy concoction of hazy synths and weaving vocal melodies, complimented by additional guitar work from prolific US-based guitarist-producer Paul Grant. An ode to future love and trust that builds on previous lessons in relationships and vulnerability, the track acts as a supportive letter to Ria’s future self. She shares: “The lyrics of No Reason (Ode to You) explore my hopes for future relationships. Trust and romantic love can often feel confusing and complicated, so writing from this perspective gave me the space to reflect on the kind of love I want to experience—one that is kind, supportive and takes me as I am.”
Ria’s forthcoming debut album ‘Cubico’ showcases her adventurous tendencies as a producer, composer and lyricist, perfectly balancing playful arrangements with sincere, emotionally resonant lyricism. Drawing on her experiences of psychotherapy, as well as reflecting on acclaimed physician Gabor Maté’s writing around trauma, the record builds a strong narrative around self-care, love and connection: “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 album serves as a therapy journal, guiding listeners through deep emotional landscapes while offering solace and connection.”
Inspired by pioneers of soul music including Jill Scott and D’Angelo, the alternative RnB hues of H.E.R, and Cleo Sol’s warming tones, Ria’s approach to songwriting across ‘Cubico’ also channels the beauty and introspective lyricism of Jeff Buckley and childhood favourites Sonic Youth. To distil this eclectic mix of influences into the sound she envisioned for the project, she collaborated with a stellar line-up of additional producers and musicians, including Luke Wynter (Lava La Rue), Tal Janes (Jordan Rakei, Waaju), Tom Excell, and Lewis Moody (CHERISE, 30/70). With a focus on looping progressions, strong melodic hooks, and stacked harmonies, her background as an instrumentalist also shaped her approach, with bass and drums playing as much of a role in storytelling as her lyrics and melodies.
Welcoming Ria Moran to the family + new single 'Take It or Leave It' (ft. Nubiyan Twist)
Listen to ‘Take It Or Leave It’, featuring Nubiyan Twist Listen
We’re excited to announce the signing of Liverpool-raised, London-based alt-soul singer-songwriter Ria Moran to DeepMatter Records, for her first offering, Take It Or Leave It’.
The track sees her reunite with UK afro-jazz fusion heavyweights Nubiyan Twist, who she has toured and recorded with extensively over the past four years. Celebrating deep friendships that began many years ago when Ria and the band were students in Leeds, this single is a full circle moment, honouring the past before moving towards Ria’s future.
Inspired by shared experiences with the band, including performing on Glastonbury's West Holts stage, this horn-heavy, afro-infused neo-soul instrumental lays a solid foundation for Ria to reflect on the importance of boundary setting, and becoming more unapologetic. She shares: “Writing the lyrics came at a time when I was learning about boundary setting in my psychotherapy sessions, and honestly, I really struggled with the question, what do we owe each other? My gut says ‘everything’ - we have to care for each other, but we also need to remember boundary setting is healthy, a love letter to yourself reminding people how you want to be treated. ‘This is me, take it or leave it.”
The single is Ria’s first solo release since her 2019 EP ‘Moving into the Light’, a project that received widespread support from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6, Worldwide FM and DSP editorial, and has amassed more than one million streams. Her music sits at the juncture of forward-thinking UK soul music and nu-jazz, placing her alongside contemporaries including Ego Ella May, Yazmin Lacey and Cleo Sol, whilst also nodding to pioneers like Sade and Erykah Badu. An in-demand collaborator, her work on Nubiyan Twist’s ‘Freedom Fables’ saw Ria and the band nominated for a MOBO Award, before going on to release music via legendary jazz label Blue Note Records for their ‘Blue Note Re:Imagined” album, culminating in a live session for BBC Radio 2 at the iconic Maida Vale Studios.
Not content with being a part of one critically acclaimed project, Ria also collaborated with bassist Daniel Casimir for his acclaimed ‘Boxed In’ album for a fusion of modern jazz, soul and orchestral music that featured a who’s-who of UK jazz stars, including Nubya Garcia and Moses Boyd. Since 2019, she’s also been the touring vocalist for Yorkshire cinematic soul-jazz instrumentalists Gotts Street Park, sharing stages with the likes of Celeste, ENNY and Pip Millet and building her profile as a standout voice within the UK scene.