Bronx-born and Atlanta-based artist Reiyo The Giant has just dropped her latest single “Can’t Call Me” via Safari Riot, a mesmerising fusion of atmospheric electronica, alternative R&B, and soul. Produced by Anwar Sawyer (known for his work with Audrey Nuna), this single represents a crucial turning point in Reiyo’s highly anticipated debut album. With its more immediate and R&B-forward sound, “Can’t Call Me” steps away from the themes of martyrdom found in her earlier tracks, embracing instead a spirit of quiet confidence and the transformative power of self-acceptance.
‘Can’t Call Me’ is a shift. A choice. A boost of confidence… I could’ve let the grief rip my heart out of my chest, but I chose to keep it.
This single arrives on the heels of a series of tracks that will be included in the upcoming LP, such as the assertive “Get It Together,” which tackles the tension of maintaining one’s identity through hardship; “The Show Must Go On,” a candid expression of the pressures to perform despite emotional pain; the restless anthem “How To Get Nowhere Fast;” and “Nu World,” the haunting introductory track that captures the jarring experience of loss.
Describing herself as a “ten-foot lesbian genie from the Bronx,” Reiyo The Giant has consistently prioritised creativity over convention. She initially captured attention with her self-produced debut EP, Romeo, in 2021. Following that, collaborations with producers like Airmow (“CARMEN,” accumulating over 15M streams) and breathe. (“You Saw Me”) have broadened her musical range, earning her placements on key playlists such as Spotify’s New Music Friday (in multiple regions) and Apple Music’s New Music Daily.
Reiyo draws her inspiration from a wealth of sources, including literature, cinema, and music—taking cues from the writings of Zora Neale Hurston and Richard Bruce Nugent, the cinematic vision of Guillermo del Toro, and the storytelling prowess of Michaela Coel and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Influenced by artists like Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Erykah Badu, and James Blake, her songs are rich in metaphor, atmosphere, and emotional depth, encouraging listeners not just to hear her narrative, but to uncover their own stories within it.
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Can’t Call Me is out now: https://fanlink.tv/cantcallme
