On August 7th, 2024- J. Riley Henderson released a single called “What It Looks Like” and I related so much to this song because it’s about the artist when they went on a coffee date after a long relationship and they were overwhelmed with their own thoughts. And couldn’t say much to the other person. I understand what they went through because after I got out of a long relationship, I didn’t know what to say to people when I went out on dates with them. I stayed quiet and got stuck in my own thoughts as well. And always thought that “What If I said this or that” and maybe some of those dates would’ve went better. “What It Looks Like” is a reflective and introspective track. The lyrics “What It Looks Like” are raw and honest, painting the picture of the nervousness and self-doubt that come with stepping back into romance after ending a long-lasting, personal connection with another. The theme of radical honesty is both refreshing and relatable, as it taps into the common experience of overthinking in social situations, I find this theme makes the song accessible to all audiences. The instrumentation complements the introspective nature of the lyrics, with a very full and atmospheric sound. The arrangement is somewhat simple and intimate, building up to a transcending break towards the end of the song that is our standout moment of the track. The acoustic elements of the track provide a warm and soothing backdrop, mirroring the conversational tone of the song.

Keep Up With J. Riley Henderson Online: Spotify / Instagram