Emerging Artist Graham Riley Shares Coming-Of-Age Journey in Debut EP ‘If I Knew There Was Heaven’

Graham Riley, singer, songwriter, and artist hailing from Los Angeles, CA, finally released his highly anticipated EP, “If I Knew There Was Heaven”, on March 29, 2024. This EP marks a significant milestone in Riley’s career, showcasing his evolution as a musician and his ability to seamlessly blend genres such as pop, R&B, indie pop, and alternative R&B.

At just twenty-two years old, Riley has already made waves in the music industry, having signed a publishing deal with Jay-Z’s renowned multimedia label, Roc Nation, in 2020. Since then, he has collaborated with some of the industry’s most exciting producers, including Max Toth, J. LBS, Omar Edwards, Max Beck, Anwar Sawyer, Ben Coleman, Ryan Baer, and Jonah Abraham, to cultivate a unique sound that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Drawing inspiration from his classical piano background and infusing elements of left-of-center indie pop, R&B, and traditional soul ballads, Riley’s music is characterized by soulful lyrics and dynamic vocal performances. His track “Star” was featured in the 2022 Amazon Prime film “Master”, starring Regina Hall, while “Front Porch“, released in the summer of 2023, garnered widespread acclaim and secured placements on popular Spotify playlists.

“If I Knew There Was Heaven” EP represents a culmination of two years of meticulous craftsmanship and artistic exploration for the artist. Each of the six tracks was carefully selected to create a cohesive and intentional body of work, reflecting Graham Riley’s personal journey through late adolescence into young adulthood. The EP delves into themes of loss, love, and self-discovery, offering listeners an introspective and emotionally resonant musical experience.

Commenting on the EP, Riley shared, “‘If I Knew There Was Heaven’ is about my turbulent navigation through late adolescence into young adulthood. Most of these songs were born out of loss; lost lovers, lost friends, the loss of time, etc. Accepting loss has always been quite difficult for me.”

Graham Riley has surrounded himself with talented people in the industry, working with Max Beck (If I Knew There Was Heaven, Front Porch, DKB, 4530), Ryan Baer (If I Knew There Was Heaven, 4530, Another Lover), Omar Edwards (If I Knew There Was Heaven) and Jasper Richards (Defensive) on the EP.

“If I Knew There Was Heaven” is poised to solidify Graham Riley’s status as one of the most promising talents in contemporary music. With its captivating blend of genres and heartfelt storytelling, the EP promises to resonate with audiences far and wide.

Listen below:

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