roman around Leaves Nothing Unsaid on “The Toll of Unconditional Love” - 4 October 2024
roman around, “The Toll of Unconditional Love” Artwork
roman around shares their LP “The Toll of Unconditional Love,” available October 4th on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve Records.
Fresno-based genre-bender roman around, the musical persona of Roman Rivera, is set to release their highly anticipated album, The Toll of Unconditional Love, on October 4th via Trailing Twelve Records. The album offers an unflinching exploration of trauma and the complex love intertwined with it - blending grunge and jazz with electronic and psych-rock, all seamlessly woven together through enchanted pop songwriting.
Renowned for their innovative sound, roman around has garnered attention from influential outlets including LADYGUNN, Ones to Watch, METAL, and Grimy Goods. Rivera, a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter, has seen their work featured on KCRW's esteemed radio Morning Becomes Eclectic and synced in Freeform's Good Trouble. Beyond their musical achievements, Rivera is also a dedicated music educator, championing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ and POC students and peers.
Roman Rivera of roman around, photo by Blu Torres
Opening with “Get it From You,” the album immediately immerses listeners in Rivera’s world. Gritty electric guitar gallops atop off-kilter and languid percussion, creating a compelling dissonance that’s mirrored in the song’s lyrical themes: “How come I’m so naive / Acting like a machine / I know what you say to me, oh / You don't mean.” A solo saxophone casually drifts into the forefront, bringing a lightness and elegant resolve to the production. In the accompanying music video, a guitar-clad Rivera walks slowly along the edge of a moonlit residential street.
“Moves” explores themes of overcoming adversity and community loss by taking listeners on a rollercoaster of 16th-note rhythms, detuned piano, and rapid introspection. The track opens with poignant lyrics about Rivera’s life: “Krista was my best friend / 2010 felt like it never end / got her number while she’s in the hospital and now she’s dead.”
“The Thanks” reimagines classic indie-pop elements through a unique blend of jazz, funk, and electronic influences. Rivera’s exploration of disillusionment and familial strife sets the stage for the album’s intricate narrative. On “Lexapro,” a cello introduces a poignant melody as Rivera’s heartfelt lyrics reveal personal struggles: “Bottle of Lexapro/my parents just don't know/what I tried doing to myself/last night I went to bed/with too much left unsaid/you feel bad for me; I don’t know why.”
Sitting on a bed of woozy guitars and glossy synths, the devastating and confessional “Pity Party” uses sharp lyricism to critique how society handles emotional pain in a self-obsessed age. Rivera not only delves into the traumas of their past, but they intentionally critique the navigation of said experiences.
The album’s tone evolves from passive to assertive, embracing and untangling the pain of past experiences. This transformation is evident in “No One Else,” which features a heartwarming melody, intricate drums, and groovy acoustic guitar.
“No One Else” is my love song that speaks to my desire for personal connection amidst personal turmoil. I express that I don’t just expect perfection, but I’m willing to travel through the roughest tides with my loved one. I explore the comfort I’ve found in this close relationship during difficult times. - Roman Rivera
Roman Rivera of roman around, photo by Blu Torres
Spanning thirty-one minutes over eleven compositions, The Toll of Unconditional Love is a vibrant and multifaceted exploration of love, heartache, nostalgia, humor, and hope.
The narrative weaves through the impact of abandonment, the struggle to communicate complex emotions, and the journey of healing and self-acceptance. Ultimately, the album serves as a raw and honest exploration of resilience, showcasing how love persists through challenges and how personal growth can emerge from navigating difficult emotional landscapes. - Roman Rivera
roman around’s The Toll of Unconditional Love is out October 4th via Trailing Twelve.
Watch the music video for “Get it From You” below.
TRACKLIST
Get It From You
Moves
The Thanks
Out to Get Me
In Your Head
Lexapro
Pity Party
Take it Back
In a While
No One Else
Bedtime Story
Recorded in Fresno, CA
Written, Performed, Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Roman Rivera
Roman Rivera
- Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Drums: All Tracks
Paris Evans
- Saxophone: Get It From You
Ethan Souza
- Drums: Get It From You
Casey Powers
- Keys: Get It From You
- Vocals, Keys: Pity Party
Dalton Morris
- Vocals: The Thanks, In Your Head, Lexapro, Pity Party, Take It Back, No One Else
- Cello: Lexapro
- Keys: Pity Party
Aaleyah Wilson
- Vocals: The Thanks, In Your Head, Pity Party, Take It Back, No One Else
Press Contact: info@trailingtwelve.com
TTR-033
© & ℗ 2024 Trailing Twelve Records. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Copying, Reproduction, Hiring, Lending, Public Performance, And Broadcasting Strictly Prohibited.
Artist: roman around
Release Title: The Toll of Unconditional Love
Duration: 31:12
Release Date: 4 October 2024
BIO
roman around is the vehicle for the music composed and arranged by Roman Rivera (they/them). The multi-racial artist grew up in Fresno, CA, where they currently serve as a music educator. Rivera challenges traditional gender norms while fostering a safe place for themselves and others in the LGBTQ+, POC, music, and general community.
In their late teenage years, after touring the country as a drummer for various bands, Rivera began experimenting with writing their own music. Years of communal exposure to beat making, singing, guitar, and drumming allowed them to quickly craft their vision.
roman around's sound blends hypnotic rhythms, hazy atmospheres, and shadowy textures that will please fans of Mk.gee, From Indian Lakes, Cocteau Twins, DIIV, and Toro Y Moi. Performing with various musicians in Fresno, their band can range from a multitude of different members.
Their songs have premiered on the award-winning radio station KCRW “Morning Becomes Eclectic” with editorial playlisting by Spotify Fresh Finds and critical acclaim from tastemaker sites including METAL, Wonderland, Ones To Watch, LADYGUNN, Atwood, and Grimy Goods. In 2024, their song “Comes With Age” was synced in the final season of Good Trouble on Freeform.
PRESS & FEATURES
“Teeming with a fresh perspective and encompassing tracks” - Grimy Goods
“Awash with pulsating electronic beats and silky, R&B influenced vocals” - DUMMY
“dreamy and orthogonal, an eclectic blend of ethereal and moody textures that echo faintly of shoegaze, bedroom pop, dream pop, post-punk, and more.” - LADYGUNN
“A transportive wall of sound” - Atwood Magazine
“…what makes [their music] stand out is its texture — the raw intensity of the percussion, the hypnotic sonics, and the swirling guitar all make for a cathartic listening experience that leaves us wanting more.” - The LUNA Collective