Michael Rider – Battle of Heart

Single Release

Artist
Michael Rider

Title
Battle of Heart

Genre
Dream Pop

Pre-save

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/michaelwrider/

Details
Dream pop singer-songwriter Michael Rider releases their new single “Battle of Heart” on February 11th under Grimalkin Records. It is the third single from their upcoming album, Cycle, coming May 13th of this year. Like the rest of the album, “Battle of Heart” reflects the decade of experience under Rider’s belt. It was slated for release on their second album Double Edged, but was withheld to be refined for a later project. The melody is from early in their career but uses new lyrics, creating an amalgamation of Rider’s past and present.

The upbeat and sunny sound pairs with more somber lyrics describing the inability to create meaningful connections and ultimately coming to terms with the idea that some people want to maintain their distance, or keep up their “arms of steel” in the face of Rider’s “dynamite,” as referenced in the chorus. They also touch on the importance of removing themself from such situations in order to protect their identity as well as their heart.

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Rider migrated to New York City on a visual art scholarship in 2013. They played open mics at the Sidewalk Cafe, the birthplace of anti-folk, amongst contemporaries such as Brett Gleason, Siv Disa, and Prince Johnny. Inspired by the work of Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, Rider sings of the anxieties of life while mixing the traditional piano of their past with innovative electronic production, creating an ethereal pop experience.