Boy in Jeans

 

After recently discovering Ryan Beatty is dropping a new album I wanted to write this piece on an album that was constantly played throughout my teenage years.

Receiving critical acclaim and accolades from artists like Tyler the creator and the members of Brockhampton, it's hard to realise why Ryan Beatty is still so underrated within the industry. Gaining a lot of his recent popularity singing the chorus to the infamous “Sugar” by Brockhampton, Ryan Beatty is an artist whos not only criminally forgotten about when introduced to the likes of modern day R&B but also an artist that should receive his flowers for the quality of music that he's produced throughout his career.

This article is about his debut album Boy in jeans. If you haven't heard it yet, GO LISTEN?!

Boy in Jeans narrates Ryan Beatty’s coming out and his confident retelling of his experiences in love and self exploration and within this he manages to regress into his highschool self. This album is a dreamlike R&B wonderland with a myriad of sounds that happily dance around the halls of a highschool gymnasium; as intended.

Were transported into Ryan's self actualisation with the opener ‘Haircut’, a song that feels like an exhalation. ‘Haircut’ is bold and affirming, an intro that starts the album off positively, uplifting the mood and creating a safe space to breathe, taking you smoothly into the next few songs. Repeating the phrase “It starts right now!” Beatty makes sure we know that this album is the beginning of a transformation and allows us to join him on the journey of self- realisation and gaining real autonomy over ourselves and our choices. 

Delving further into the album, former teen pop star Ryan Beatty makes sure to remind us of his previous background, utilising his familiarity with pop production in order to create the love song ‘Cupid’.With lyrics that are honest and tender Ryan speaks on his experience with young love and the complexities of his situation. A formerly labelled teen heartthrob Ryan disregards his previous titles as he opens up about his sexuality and the intricacies of gay relationships as a teen understanding themselves and the world around them. ‘Cupid’ is poetic and romantic, with a hint of tragedy.The song retells the story of two lovers that struggle within their romantic relationship and the darkness that surrounds the binding of two souls; “Cupid got us fucked up”.

As the album progresses, Beatty starts to dwell into the feelings of depression and isolation in songs ‘Camo’ and ‘Party's over’. ‘Camo’ accurately describes the constant inner battle of hiding, never expressing your real feelings. Fear keeps us withdrawn, therefore allowing us to fall back into the habits of self isolation. Beatty represents this continuous battle within the song, using the lyrics “I keep my feelings hidden” to allude to his air of mystery. ‘Partys over’ narrates Ryans inner monologue when speaking about what this love is doing to him through insight into his thought process, slowly becoming more and more enamoured with this person, Ryan speaks on the tough reality of letting something go. ‘Partys over’ speaks metaphorically for an emotional overcoming, to accept that the fun has ended and to move on although as hard as it may be. 

As we go further into the album we now succumb to the blissful satisfactions of new experiences with a lover. ‘God in jeans’ is blasphemous, outrageous and daring.Ryan describes the pleasures of his sexuality and the euphoria that he’s now encountered, understanding that he can't replace this feeling with anything beneath it. Beatty decides to correlate this event with experiencing God. A high acclaim that only emphasises the heights of his bliss, making this event his new spiritual practice. A new religion that he has now begun following. 

This theme of pleasure trickles down to the last few songs on the album allowing us to encounter these satisfactions also. Continuing to speak on sex and his relationships Ryan does this more carefully within the next few songs only giving subtle hints within his lyrics.Beatty has fun with his songwriting, letting listeners read into lyrics with playfully overt innuendos.“He gave me pleasure underneath the water … And it felt so good. Now we’re power sliding till the flood spurts stop us…”

The last three songs of the album include my favourite. I'll let you guess which one. Each song evoking different emotional responses, the songs are more magical.With soulful adlibs ‘Pink Floyd’ takes you to a realm of truthful consequence but sounds like you're in a dream somehow. Beatty manages to distract from the realism within the lyrics with a majestic hymn , with an array of instruments that take you back into his wonderland. 

Finally, the album ends with the ultimate track ‘Rhinestone’ a conclusion to the narrative told in Boy in Jeans. Ryan exudes confidence within this song, not leaving us without more double entendres Ryan sings “First time so fast it was tight though” exiting the last few minutes of the album still with his mischievous lyricism. ‘Rhinestone’ feels like the release of many burdens and the final exhale, an overwhelming sensation of relief.With a slow build up, Ryans high pitched voice helps give a serendipitous feeling whilst simultaneously oozing comfort.His use of the phrase “Come fly with me” connotes with freedom and new beginnings which is an effective way to end the album. Whether intended or not Ryan makes it out as if he wants the person to depart with him to a new space to continue to explore more about themselves. Ryan leaves us with a heavy message of being able to move forward and learn through lessons taught to us with life's happenings. Boy in jeans is an ode to being free, allowing yourself to be whomever or whatever you choose.

Fatima <3