It’s always interesting to follow debuts. A debut is inevitably a new individuality with its own creative concept and fresh ideas. This review is about one such debut. Ryy0 is an indie artist and producer from Cincinnati, Ohio. His debut album “H0M3”, released on July 14, 2025, is a musical narrative through emotions and memories, reflecting the most personal moments and thoughts. Ryy0 began making music as a child – around age 6 or 7, he learned to play the violin. This was his first step into the world of music and helped him develop further. He is inspired by the works of Max Richter and Metallica. He aims to create music that blends different styles and feelings.
Ryy0’s album “H0M3” is a sincere reflection on what it means to feel at home: surrounded by family and close to someone special. With honesty and a clear artistic vision, the album becomes a musical memoir, capturing the author’s experiences and inner transformations over the past two years. Remarkably, Ryy0 independently handled every aspect of the album-from writing and performing to mixing, mastering, artwork, and promotion. The album contains 10 tracks ranging from energetic to calm and contemplative songs. I believe this contrast helps to better convey the emotions the artist wants to express.
The record opens with “the end,” where a solo guitar full of longing and hope leads through winding paths of memories. It is answered by a dense, pulsating bass – a solid foundation reminding of roots and family ties. The rich, sometimes resonant vocals tell of returning home and living with parents. The second track, “h0m3,” logically continues “the end” but with a different tempo and mood. The rhythm speeds up, the sound sharpens: guitar solos are tense and expressive, and the vocals become slightly harsh – more of a challenge filled with the desire to be heard. In it, the artist weaves complex feelings of love, pain, memories, and acceptance. Although the song sounds like a personal diary entry, thanks to Ryy0’s quality work and creative approach, it becomes broader and more universal.
Like the ballad “what do we know?,” which I consider the heart of the album, where the personal turns into the collective. Ryy0’s voice echoes all those who face injustice or misunderstanding. Soft music and restrained vocals emphasize the sharpness of the lyrics, as the song’s question is addressed to the world. The track is a doubt about social injustice and division – a reminder that behind systems lie living destinies. In the song “in their own time,” the singer reflects on relationships with parents. A gentle melody and clear vocals tenderly address memory, showing that relationships with parents grow and change gradually, in their own time, requiring patience and understanding. The song expresses hope for harmony and peace of mind and helps to look at the past from a new perspective.
A letter written as a therapeutic exercise and never meant to be sent – became the song” i’ll find my way?.” Here, Ryy0 explores lingering feelings from a past relationship and the desire to move forward. At the same time, the instrumental piece “upside” symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter – meeting the artist’s current fiancée. The song’s title matches that of the café where they met, and through the music, it captures the atmosphere of that first date – a moment of lightness, excitement, and new possibilities.
“If not now” marks a turning point when feelings and thoughts come together into a clear “now.” The pulsating arrangement and wavering rhythm express a decision that came from the heart. This is when Ryy0 realized the album h0m3 was not just a project, but a necessity. The release’s songs are complete stories, thoughtful and meaningful. But there are tracks that especially captivated me – my personal favorites. The first is the bright and joyful “this is it,” whose melody sounds like the morning after a long night, with transparent and calm confidence: he has found her. A song about love met at the right time.
The second favorite is “her own light” – a gentle reflection on the strength of a woman who has carried the burden of expectations since childhood. Inspired by the story of Ryy0’s fiancée, it turns her silent resilience into music. The restrained melodies and vocals reveal loneliness, responsibility, and strength. Through it all shines the main thing: her light, hard-earned and real, leading to change and renewal. The final track, “the beginning,” celebrates this very new chapter. In it, love becomes a support and inspiration, and the music shimmers with hope: transparent textures and smooth guitar accents create a feeling of ease. The melody gently spreads like sunlight on the walls of a new home filled with laughter, quiet conversations, and closeness.
Ryy0’s debut album turned out to be sincere and emotional. The artist skillfully combined memories and personal stories into a coherent musical picture. The changes in lyrics and mood between the first and second halves of the album play a very important role, helping to better feel the artist’s experiences. Thanks to the thoughtful sound and delivery, “H0M3” reveals the performer’s unique creative individuality. Ryy0 opened a part of his life to listeners, expressing it honestly through music.
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