Music

Marchin’ Already by Ocean Colour Scene remains a defining Britpop album, famously knocking Oasis from the top of the charts. With its re-release, we revisit its impact, sound, and lasting influence.

Limp Bizkit’s 2013 comeback was a full-force stampede. In this exclusive Fred Durst interview, we explore the band’s rebirth, their lost album "Stampede of the Disco Elephants," and why their legacy still thrives.

The robots have clocked out. "404 Work Not Found" is the soundtrack to their break—a playlist of 110 robotic bangers paired with a whimsical illustration of dancing droids. Celebrate the mechanical groove with us.

Damon Albarn's creative legacy transcends generations. From Blur’s Britpop anthems to Gorillaz’s genre-defying innovation, his relentless experimentation and refusal to conform have made him a true visionary in modern music. Dive into the story of an artist who continually pushes boundaries and redefines what’s possible.

1993’s Come On Feel The Lemonheads isn’t just an album—it’s a time capsule of nostalgia, collaboration, and raw emotion. From Evan Dando’s golden touch to Juliana Hatfield’s harmonies and Rick James’ surprise funk groove, the record resonates across decades. Dive into its creation and cultural impact, as celebrated by RIOT.

The Beastie Boys’ Ill Communication broke boundaries, blending punk, hip-hop, and funk while pushing creative limits. This piece captures their rebellious, boundary-pushing energy that inspired generations.

Some tracks shaped the world as we know it, becoming anthems that defined generations and movements. Others, buried in the dust of forgotten vinyl, remain hidden treasures waiting to be rediscovered. Together, they form a mosaic of sound—each note and lyric a piece of the puzzle that unlocks the story of music’s past. And within these echoes lie the keys to shaping its future, inspiring the next wave of creators and listeners alike. Sampling came from necessity. In New York City’s South Bronx of the 1970s, where money was tight and instruments were few, DJs and artists turned to the records they had. They found gold in the grooves—drum breaks, basslines, melodies that spoke louder than their surroundings. A culture was born not from stealing but from survival. And with it, a new artThe soul of creativity—art is the foundation of visual storytelling, shaping the way brands, campaigns, and experiences connect with audiences. form: hip-hop. One of the earliest pioneers, DJ Grandmaster Flash, would mark his records with crayons to identify the perfect “breaks”—those magical seconds of rhythm that could keep a crowd moving. This technique gave birth to breakbeat DJing, a cornerstone of hip-hop’s rise. Around the same time, […]

Explore how David Bowie redefined art, music, and identity with his fearless creativity. From his collaborations with legends to his personas like Ziggy Stardust, Bowie’s influence spans generations.

In this exclusive revisit to Jared Leto’s 2009 interview, we explore the making of "This Is War," the deep connection between 30 Seconds to Mars and their fans, and how the band’s journey has evolved through bold artistic choices, including their 2024 world tour announcement from atop the Empire State Building.

Join Rou Reynolds in this archival Enter Shikari Interview as he reflects on the band’s DIY roots, their rise to prominence, and the evolution of their unique sound. This piece dives into Enter Shikari's journey, showcasing the raw energy and passion behind their music.

Jamie Lenman, a creative force in the music industry, inspires with his fearless approach to artistry and industry innovation. Dive into the story of this maverick who blends music, design, and vision into a singular, inspiring legacy.

The ZX Spectrum 48K wasn’t just a home computer; it was a digital canvas that sparked a revolution. From pioneering game developers to bedroom coders, this humble machine inspired a generation of creatives, transforming technical limitations into boundless opportunities for innovation and imagination. Dive into the story of how the Spectrum 48K became a cultural icon and a gateway to digital dreams.

In the early 2000s, a new wave of music began to dominate the airwaves. It was raw, confessional, and unapologetically emotional. At the forefront of this movement was Dashboard Confessional, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. With his heartfelt lyrics and acoustic melodies, Carrabba became the voice of a generation that was seeking something genuine amidst the chaos of mainstream pop and rock. Dashboard Confessional: A Voice for a Generation Born out of the ashes of his previous band, Further Seems Forever, Dashboard Confessional started as a solo project for Carrabba. It wasn’t long before his introspective songs, like “Screaming Infidelities” and “Hands Down,” resonated with an audienceThe heartbeat of every campaign—understanding and engaging the right audience is the key to crafting messages that resonate and drive action. hungry for authenticity. His music wasn’t just played—it was felt, capturing the angst and vulnerability of youth in a way few artists have managed to achieve. As Dashboard Confessional’s popularity soared, they became a defining force in the emerging emo scene. Carrabba’s deeply personal lyrics and acoustic sound set them apart from their contemporaries, and by the time their seminal album, The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, was released in […]

Discover the legacy of The Holy Bible by the Manic Street Preachers—an album born from the personal anguish of Richey Edwards and a reflection of societal decay. From its harrowing lyrics to its bold political statements, the album remains a raw, unfiltered expression of art.

Tool's "Ænema" is more than just a music video—it's a visceral and surreal journey into the human psyche. Directed by Adam Jones, the video broke boundaries with its stop-motion animation, dark themes, and visual mastery.

At RIOT, music is the heartbeat of everything we create. It’s the pulse that drives our wildest ideas and keeps us pushing boundaries. We take our cues from the industry’s game-changers—those who’ve ripped up the rule book and redefined what music can be. One name that’s always at the top of our list? Rick Rubin. The mastermind producer whose raw, genre-busting creativityThe spark that starts it all—creativity is the fearless pursuit of new ideas, powerful stories, and unforgettable brand moments. is etched into the soul of RIOT. Rubin’s knack for blending the unexpected and his relentless pursuit of authenticity is what makes him a legend in our book. To celebrate his genius, we’ve embedded a massive 97-hour playlist by GLV Records, showcasing the depth and breadth of his work. Smash that shuffle button, crank up the volume, and let Rubin’s magic be the soundtrack to your day. Trust us, it’s the creative kickstart you didn’t know you needed. That’s not art. That’s commerce. Rick Rubin’s career spans over four decades, breaking boundaries and redefining sound. From co-founding Def Jam Recordings with Russell Simmons to shaping the sound of rock, hip-hop, metal, and beyond, Rubin’s influence is legendary, transcending pure music […]

At RIOT, music is more than just a passion—it’s the pulse of our creativityThe spark that starts it all—creativity is the fearless pursuit of new ideas, powerful stories, and unforgettable brand moments.. We’ve always championed bands and artists pushing the boundaries of music and their entire package to the outside world, or, as it’s 2024, their “brandingMore than a logo—branding is the full experience of a company, shaping visuals, messaging, and emotional connections with consumers..”. One band that epitomizes this ethos is Sleep Token. Their unique branding, an intricate blend of mystique, musical innovationThe spark that starts it all—creativity is the fearless pursuit of new ideas, powerful stories, and unforgettable brand moments., and visual textures resonates deeply with us and fuels our creative visionThe spark that starts it all—a concept is the big idea that shapes campaigns, guiding everything from visuals to messaging. at RIOT. The Genesis of Sleep Token Sleep Token appeared on the scene in 2016, almost out of nowhere, with their debut single, “Thread the Needle,” presenting a sound that defies conventional genres. Their music is an eclectic mix of progressive metal, ambient soundscapes, and soulful melodies that immediately captured our attention. However, it is their branding—rooted […]

Unearthed from 2013, this James Blake interview offers a deep dive into his unique approach to music production and his creative process. A rare look into the mind of one of music’s most innovative artists, influencing modern soundscapes across genres.

Steve Albini was more than a music producer—he was a visionary whose raw, DIY approach to sound engineering shaped an entire era of music. In this tribute, we explore his legacy, influence, and how his ethos continues to inspire artists and producers today.

Discover the raw artistry of Ren's 'Sick Boi' in our latest RIOT journal entry. Dive into the world of audio tape revival and experience how this Welsh rapper's personal narrative is driving a resurgence of musical tangibility.

Ásgeir’s “Unbound” is a glitchy, futuristic masterpiece with stunning falsetto vocals and a cinematic video set in a dystopian virtual reality. Discover why this track has become a RIOT HQ favorite.

Few songs have the power to stop you in your tracks and completely reset your mood. For the past few weeks, Wenninck’s “Dissolve” has been doing exactly that. Every time that somber piano emerges after the initial glitch, the world around me fades, and I’m left in a space where only the music and I exist. It’s stunning, clever, and thought-provoking—a journey into another dimension where introspection takes the lead. The brilliance of “Dissolve” lies in its ability to simultaneously transport you and ground you. It’s a moment of pause in an otherwise chaotic world. For me, it’s the way the song holds space for you, allowing reflection to take center stage. It’s a powerful reminder of how artThe soul of creativity—art is the foundation of visual storytelling, shaping the way brands, campaigns, and experiences connect with audiences. can quietly but profoundly alter your state of mind. A Personal Journey “Dissolve” makes me think about myself. Today, it made me pause to reflect on my own day. Here I am, tattooed with the Santa Cruz blue hand (complete with its iconic mouth inside) fresh on my arm, still deep in work mode while waiting for my second burrito from Essex […]

TEPR’s “Half Below” is a progressive, hypnotic track that energizes and inspires. Paired with a bold, creative video by ELMØ, it’s our Song and Video of the Day. Dive into the magic now!

In case you haven’t noticed, at RIOT we absolutely adore music – in case our amazing sister site AltSounds didn’t make you already realize this! It’s our favorite medium for artThe soul of creativity—art is the foundation of visual storytelling, shaping the way brands, campaigns, and experiences connect with audiences., no other art form can place you back to a time in your life where you can fully picture and see a whole scene in your head, simply thanks to a certain song that brings it all flooding back. As such, we’re listening to music almost all of the time; in the background as we work, while we walk, skate, cycle, drive, party. Of the thousands of songs we listen to every single month, there are some that stand out from the crowd. The ones that make you skip back instantly and listen again and again and again like a drug habit you can’t kick. These best of the bunch songs are rare though, sometimes very rare with only one coming to us over a two week period, other weeks there might be a few. At the start of July we decided to start putting together a playlist every quarter […]