Ryan Beatty and the Art of a Career Pivot
From the next Bieber, to Brockhampton, to your new favorite folk-pop gem
By Sophie Montague
It’s hard to evade a reputation in the music industry or to be put into any kind of categorical, genre-marking box. That’s why it is so impressive when artists are able to completely upend the public’s prior notion of what they were known for. Ryan Beatty was not quite a household name, but he very well could’ve been. After gaining attention on his YouTube covers of popular songs in 2011, Beatty beckoned the memories of names like Justin Bieber or Troye Sivan. His smooth and polished voice caught the attention of corporate pop. His debut EP “Because of This”, which no longer exists on streaming platforms, was the epitome of the teenage heartthrob mold. It’s a phenomenon we still see today. Industry executives saw a young star blow up and tried to formulate the next one. But ultimately, this is never sustainable. In 2013 Ryan fired his management team and broke away from music.
Forcing people to fit an archetype is unfortunately a common marketing tactic in the mainstream. For Beatty, that archetype was a straight man. It was only after the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting that he took to Instagram to say he was “proud to be a raging homosexual” Thus began the first rebrand. For the next few years he became the “guy that sings on Brockhampton songs”. Though not an official member of the group, he sang many of their hit choruses and contributed to the overall appeal of a hip-hop supergroup that attempted to be radically queer.
During this time, Beatty’s solo music was heavily influenced by R&B and electronica. His 2018 LP Boy in Jeans has some great tracks, including the earworm “Haircut” – an upbeat and hopeful beginning to this era of freedom. Still, in my personal opinion, nothing on this record or 2020’s Dreaming of David felt extremely mind-blowing or non-derivative. He didn’t catch my attention as a solo artist until after his second hiatus.
I admire artists who are able to remain lowkey, despite industry pressures to be constantly active on social media and have big promotional rollouts for records. When Beatty spontaneously returned to release “Ribbons” in March 2023, his previous following of fellow musicians and listeners were elated. It was more organic than anything he’d put out before. Starting as a piano ballad, this song conveys isolation and helplessness in a stunningly raw way. “Ribbons” ends with a minute and a half of orchestral build-up. It has a big-room sound with a tightened focus – a preview of the reflective works to come.
Calico is undoubtedly one of my favorite albums of the year. Beatty took a full turn, breaking into folk, country, and chamber pop territory. With a run time of only 34 minutes, it urges those who don’t consider themselves “album people” to give it a front-to-back listen. It’s refreshing to see someone who was creatively inhibited by industry standards for so long release a record filled with downtempo, emotional songs and no attempt at one formulaic hit. After all, there’s no better fuck you than simply doing your own thing.
Calico solidified Ethan Gruska as my favorite producer out there right now. Notably working with acts like Phoebe Bridgers and Bon Iver, Gruska’s signature sound is atmospheric and glittery. He has a knack for making songs that stick with you. They feel quiet and sparse, yet sensational and layered. Songs like “Cinnamon Bread” and “White Teeth” scratch a particular itch in my brain. Beatty’s gorgeous vocals combined with the swelling strings and ever-so-slightly twangy guitar make for a timelessly palatable listen. I may differ from critics when I say that the last two songs off Calico are especially memorable. “Multiple Endings'' feels cohesive within the body of work, while still being very different rhythmically and sonically.
I’ve recommended this album to several friends, and all of them have been thoroughly impressed. Even without knowing Beatty’s story, you can hear a certain clarity in Calico. I truly believe this is a genre and style he can continue to stand out in. It centers on his lyrical storytelling. It allows his voice to shine more than the over-processed R&B/hip-hop vocals ever did. Calico’s positive reception is a good sign for the industry– it shows that musicians can heal from a false start. For the first time, it feels like Beatty has found an audience that appreciates his art sans association to other musicians.