Catch a Glimpse Into Night Riots' Alt-Electro Dreamscape With "Loyal to the Game" [PREMIERE]
Following the early 2015 release of their debut EP, Howl, Billboard called Night Riots' sublime alternative sound a "new wavey bliss." Four and a half years later, the description still rings true. The LA-based quintet, comprised of vocalist Travis Hawley, bassist Mikel Van Kranenburg, guitarists Nick Fotinakes and Matt DePauw, and drummer Rico Rodriguez, is known for their charismatic live shows and ethereal but hard-hitting electro-indie anthems. The group has crafted an '80s-esque dark synth sound which has mesmerized 670,000 Spotify listeners and garnered over 74 million streams. Today, Ones to Watch is premiering Night Riot's new single and visual "Loyal to the Game" in support of their highly-anticipated sophomore album, New State of Mind, set to drop July 26.
The invigorating new single sends vibrations down the spine and into every nerve, ending as moody and intoxicating guitar-like synths accompany Hawley's dynamic vocals. The song seems to be an ode to sensuality and attraction, focusing on a female subject who intriguingly "moves in her own way/Loyal to the game." The corresponding visual is as hypnotic as the track itself. It features a prolonged shot of a single female figure treading water and floating in a vast, unearthly sea. As the song progresses, the camera zooms out until the swimmer becomes a small white dot amidst the milky dreamlike ocean.
The group shares a juicy BTS tidbit about filming the video:
“At its core, ‘Loyal to the Game’ is a sexy summer love song. In honor of this sexiness we filmed the video ourselves at a nude beach. So as you’d expect, we were just off camera completely nude."
Revisit Night Riots' live performance and interview from our "All Eyes On" series below:
