ROAMS – “Cryptid”

“Cryptid”, the new album by ROAMS, is a unique release that you need to check out this weekend. The songs explore grief, heartbreak, and those quiet moments of joy found in everyday chaos. Among the 15 tracks on the record, two stand out as my absolute favorites: “Blue Screens” and “American Highways”.

“Blue Screens” grabs you right away with its dark atmosphere. The opening lines pull you straight into the music: “We’re swimming in blue screens / It’s working against me / I’m caught in an undertow/We’re going submersive / There must be a word for this / We’re diving to the depths below.” It reads like sinking deep into cold water, digging into old patterns and hidden secrets that refuse to stay buried. The song builds an incredible mood that stays with you long after the music stops playing in your room.

On the other hand, “American Highways” takes a completely different path. It strips everything down to a single, suspended moment in time. When the music slows down around the question “What did you drive all the way here to say?” you notice the heavy air in the room. It captures that exact second when two people look at each other and neither one knows what comes next. The simplicity of this track makes it hit with surprising force.

Other tracks on the album like “Some Monsters”, “Starter Boat”, and “Island Song” keep the steady energy going without losing that raw emotional core. Every single song on the tracklist contributes to a larger picture of moving forward when your feet feel heavy and tired.

For me, this release is a wonderful and striking achievement by Ana Ryden and her band. They managed to take heavy topics like loss and turn them into something beautiful and deeply human. The blend of folk textures and electronic touches gives the music a unique heartbeat that sounds completely authentic from start to finish.

If you enjoy this record, make sure to check out her previous albums “Aphelion” and “Breakers”. Make sure to follow ROAMS to stay updated about new releases for the rest of this year.

ROAMS

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