It’s quite hard to believe that it’s been over a year since Ry X released his mastery in minimalism, the Dawn LP, but here we are, September 2017 and Ry Cuming is back with a new take on his carefully crafted sparsity. Far from the super stripped-back R&B and electronica of last year’s album, Ry X’s newest single ‘Bad Love’ has a very different feel. It’s more Chet Faker than The Acid, but not in totality; it’s the magical new age of Ry X’s songwriting. It’s one that takes us on a journey from Casio keyboard programmed beats and Cuming’s soulfully understated husk to resounding choruses bolstered by multiple voices pleading “how do you want me?” Following this first gust of gospel, ‘Bad Love’ segways into cinematic synths suiting an 80's apocalyptic sci-fi film. These retro elements somehow work in perfect conjunction with the incredibly stylish music video shot on location in Mexico. Frame by frame, it’s as though the watcher is flicking through a high-end fashion magazine, complete with an underlying tone of mystery and long, meaningful stares. All the while, Ry X lingers in the background making his case for bad love. - HT