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The Barrier

by Alexandra Riorden

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about

Like a tragic dream, L.A.-based musician Alexandra Riorden breaks down her process for gaining a new appreciation with life in the newest track “The Barrier.”

Written while doing laundry on a rainy day and mourning the loss of a beloved uncle to cancer, Riorden needed to find a way to get her head out of the dark clouds. Thus, “The Barrier” was born and gives instructions on how to love life again little by little.

“[My uncle Troy] was an incredible musician and I wanted to write something to commemorate the passion he had for life and songwriting, as we never really got to share that experience when he was around—when the song came to me, it almost felt as if I was communicating with his spirit,” Riorden tells BTRtoday. “‘The Barrier’ is a vulnerable song; it’s not just about Troy, but about my own experience dealing with the highs and lows of life. It’s about finding gratitude when in the lows of depression you hit rock bottom and it’s so painful that you have no choice but to make a shift, to open your eyes and witness the beauty in the little joys of life all around—simple things that only make sense in the nuanced context of an individual’s life. Rock bottom isn’t the end, in fact, it can be a good place to be, you can only go up from there.”

The melody is sweet and catchy, with hints of indie pop and Americana—comparable to the likes of Angel Olsen or Fiona Apple. Riorden’s vocals are soothing and delicate, while also being robust and empowering. The instrumentation in “The Barrier” is fresh and well organized, getting pleasantly stuck in your head like a mantra that fills you with hope.

“The Barrier” from the upcoming album Angel City Radio (out June 25) is out on all streaming platforms now.

-BTRtoday

lyrics

I have been lost many a time
How do I get back to the light?

Dreamed I fell from the top
Of the roof, like a drop
Was so easy to wash me away

Guess I wanted to be
A part of all I see
How do I break down the barrier?

Washing laundry in the rain
Something grand in the simple things
Standing in line for oranges
Letting time fill out its orders
Counting all of my quarters
Said it’s a quarter of life
Won’t you stay?

I have been found in the kindest of eyes
It’s the lonely who know not to hold on too tight
Cos I’ve been around a planet or two
And I’ve felt the waves
Rolling right through

Washing laundry in the rain
Something grand in the simple things
Standing in line for oranges
Letting time fill out its orders
Counting all of my quarters
Said it’s a quarter of life
Won’t you stay?

I just wanted to be
A part of all I see
How do I break down
Before I break down
How do I break down
The barrier

credits

released May 20, 2021
Music & Lyrics written by Alexandra Riorden

Arranged by Max Collier Goldenstein

Produced by Max Collier Goldenstein

Co-Produced by Alexandra Riorden

Mixed by Jason Quever

Mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk

Guitar, Bass, Keys / Max Collier Goldenstein

Drums / Shane Graham

Photo by Paige Strabala

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Alexandra Riorden California

Alexandra Riorden’s debut LP Angel City Radio is an abstract chronicle of the tumultuous healing process after experiencing trauma, wrapped in a smoke-scented velvet curtain of shimmering indie-rock. Progressing like a Lynchian dream sequence, each song takes the listener down a different hallway in the labyrinth that is recovery; some dark, others reflective, but all moving towards empowerment. ... more

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