Ryland Moranz unveils a heartfelt look at the push and pull of a life split between the road and home with his new single ‘The Hell Of This Town’. Dropping ahead of his upcoming album ‘Better/Worse’, this track blends Ryland’s folk-bluegrass roots with an introspective edge, capturing the nostalgia of old dreams alongside the comfort of grounded love.
Contrary to its gritty title, ‘The Hell Of This Town’ is a love letter in disguise, penned for Ryland’s wife and shaped by his own inner conflict of belonging. For a musician long drawn to the romanticism of nomadic life, he admits that reality sets in differently- finding himself longing for home while on the road and craving the road when home. The song emerges as an honest meditation on this paradox, where a life of touring meets the quiet realisation that perhaps peace lies in simply being present, wherever that may be.
The self-directed music video accompanying the single is a masterful visual of Moranz’s storytelling, skillfully employing a range of techniques to bring the song’s narratives to life. Each frame is thoughtfully constructed, weaving together the emotions and song’s themes, adding multifaceted layers to the music. The artistry of the direction enhances the song’s impact, allowing viewers to connect even more profoundly with the stories unfolding on screen.
Recorded at Barnhouse Studios in BC with production support from Leeroy Stagger, ‘Better/Worse’ promises to be a vivid journey from Moranz’s perspective, marked by the soul-searching sentiments that coloured his previous album ‘XO, 1945’ and driven by the questions that shape what lies ahead. With ‘The Hell Of This Town’, Moranz encapsulates this spirit, offering a tune that is at once a lament, a celebration, and a grounding anthem for the places and people we call home.
