Ryan and Rory: Self-titled Debut EP – EP Review

Ryan and Rory share their self-titled debut EP, Ryan and Rory, available now, July 26th, on all streaming platforms. Listen here!

With male duos often serving as a driving force in country music, it’s time for a new pair to emerge. Enter BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville’s newest duo: Ryan and Rory.

Composed of former Hot Chelle Rae frontman Ryan Follesé and multi-instrumentalist Rory John Zak, the duo is bursting onto the scene with their debut self-titled EP, out now. Raised in Nashville with songwriter parents, Follesé co-wrote five of the EP’s six new songs, exchanging harmonic melodies with Zak in a way that elevates the clever lyrics.

The collection kicks off with the previously-released “Pour Decisions,” a catchy and slick ode to drowning a broken heart in drinks and a rebound. Here, they cleverly turn the phrases “poor decisions” to reflect those alcohol-induced “pour decisions.”

“We both got broken hearts, try to numb it with some sipping // So how’s about we let thе liquor do the heavy lifting // Can only get so far gеtting over them with drinking // The only way to fix it is to make some pour decisions”

Heartbreak, love lost, and drinking tunes dominate the EP with “Drunk and Lonely,” another clear standout. On the swinging, two-stepping jaunt, they’re moving up and moving on, musing that “We go together like drunk and lonely.” Likewise, “The State I’m In” deals with the regret of following a long distance love, only to discover it was for naught. “I ripped my roots right out the ground,” they muse mournfully, “to chase her green eyes.”

“Cowboy Cry” shows the band’s softer side, the acoustic-leaning ballad lamenting a woman who leaves a path of broken cowboy hearts in her wake. She’s a heartbreaker and a pistol that can’t be tamed, and they’ve been burned.

“She’s always got one boot out the door, now you can’t make her stay, make her love you, she don’t stay in love too long, no you can’t rope the wind if you wanted to… She can make a cowboy cry”

The EP ends with the one-two punch of “This Town” and “Thanks Mama.” The former celebrates chasing new dreams with someone special, while the latter is a sparse and sweet celebration of a man’s mother. Co-penned by Follesé, alongside his brother, sister, and father, the song recalls the advice and love that helped shape him into the man he is. “Might’ve been born a sinner, but I was raised by a saint,” The pair harmonize. “For all I am, thanks Mama.”

On their debut EP, Ryan & Rory are introducing themselves as a new duo to keep in mind. Mixing clever lyrics and stunning harmonies with touches of Dan + Shay and hints of Brooks & Dunn, Ryan & Rory are the next heir apparent to the country duo throne.

Ryan and Rory Track List:

1. Pour Decisions
2. State I’m In
3. Cowboy Cry
4. Drunk and Lonely
5. This Town
6. Thanks Mama

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Ryan and Rory EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.