Indie folk craftsman Ryan Yingst knows how to work with reinvention. He has been through so many different genres and sonic environments that he has managed to create his own type of music that can be called not just listened to but experienced. Ryan has an incredibly rare quality in the form of his unvarnished and honest lyrics. His songs are the reflection of the rawest sides of humanity and touch upon such serious topics as grief and addiction, fears, but also love and hope, which remain burning coals. Originally hailing from Hershey, Pennsylvania, Ryan Yingst has learned how to use storytelling that will stay with you even after the song is finished. And on August 22nd, the artist offered us his new masterpiece by the name of “Ordinary Means,” and we can confirm once again why people who have known him since the beginning have always been sure that Ryan is absolutely unique. Join me, and let’s discuss the amazing work of the artist who creates extraordinary works of art.
The guitar tune at the beginning is not only an introduction but also an embrace in itself, a cozy hug from long ago, delicate and incredibly sweet. Then, the softest violin adds layers of incredible beauty to the sound and shows us that each note was put there with utmost intention. Within those few initial seconds, I have already been conquered by its musical perfection. Believe me, you will be unable to resist it as well; you will feel that you are captivated even before reaching the first verse.
The whole universe of amazing artwork lies hidden just because it is camouflaged with the simplicity of the ordinary. And while Ordinary Means is made of something very deep, the true, untouched words of those friends and peers of Ryan who sacrifice every bit of themselves to create art that would mean something to us. It’s the creators who give up their hobbies, social life, and even rent just to produce the artworks that we value so much. Yet, in all this hustle, the song uncovers one more valuable thing. Through a character that personifies the romance of such a mundane act as picking a flower, it makes its statement: beauty never lies in spectacular performance; it always lies in details. This is not just the personal experience of Ryan. It’s a message for every independent artist struggling for their place under the sun. This song becomes a powerful call to action; it urges us to discover the people around us, good artworks that are hiding somewhere close to us, and to forget about numbers, algorithms, popularity, or funding because no stream counts could feel for us. Each person is free to form their taste because the variety of thoughts is the essence of art.
The history of how Ryan Yingst came to make his music is as rich and complex as the songs themselves. Having been born in the picturesque streets of Hershey, Pennsylvania, he started his musical career by studying jazz guitar and audio engineering in Pittsburgh. There he recorded his debut solo album in 2020 after touring and playing with several groups from the city. Working out of the famous plus/minus Recording Studio was an important step on his way to developing his unique sound. However, a new chapter of his life took him to the beautiful city of Nashville, Tennessee. In this dynamic city, Ryan released his new collection of singles and EPs, working together with local producers and beloved friends, and even collaborating with the rising folk group from Nashville called Tophouse. All the stops of his wanderings only helped him hone his skills and transform his experience into the wonderful music he makes.
Now is the time to discuss the absolute best part of listening to music, the utter intentional nature that is involved. Ryan wasn’t just interested in giving us the music and leaving things at that; he wanted to make sure we could experience everything he was feeling through the cover of his album, which is symbolic of the whole project. What it may be at first glance is pretty straightforward: a home. But in its simple beauty is the absolute essence of what Ryan has been trying to teach us from the very beginning: that our muses, inspirations, and magic do not have to be big and glorious. All they need is a simple little house.
This song is completely overwhelming to me. There is something incredibly powerful about it that stays with you long after it has ended, gently whispering something incredibly vital to us, but something we never listen to: what we throw away casually as just the little things in life are actually the things we should hold onto so dearly because they are the ones who really do matter. Thank you, Ryan, for blessing us with a song that doesn’t feel like a new thing at all; it feels like finally coming home to ourselves again. And I will forever be proud to witness it happen as I join you in your musical journey.
Stream “Ordinary Means” on Spotify
Follow Ryan Yingst here and his socials: X, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, YouTube
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