Ryan Lee West aka Rival Consoles presents his expressive new album ‘Persona’. The title ‘Persona’ was inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s film of the same name, specifically a shot in the opening credits of a child reaching out to touch a woman’s face on a screen, which is shifting between one face and another. This powerful image struck Ryan and it inspired the album’s main theme — an exploration of the persona, the difference between how we see ourselves and how others see us, the spaces in between; between states, people, light and dark, the inner persona and the outer persona.
“An album that stands as one of his most evocative and ambitious so far” The 405 8.5/10
“Unequivocally his finest work to date” Loud & Quiet 8/10
“Without doubt his best yet” Crack 8/10
“One of the warmest and most reflective albums of the year so far, electronic or otherwise” The Skinny ★★★★★
“A masterclass in modern electronic soundcraft” The Line of Best Fit 7.5/10
“Ambient leaning, mind expanding electronics” DJ Mag 7/10
“Cinematic in scope and delicately constructed” Clash 7/10
“A powerfully affecting release, one that cements Rival Consoles as one of the brightest jewels in the heavily studded Erased Tapes crown” Music OMH ★★★★
“Rich in textures and mood” Buzz ★★★★
“One of the albums of the year, no question” Electronic Sound
“Intricately layered, yet often composed through improvisation, his latest LP Persona is a solipsistic exploration of the sounds that make up the self” Hyponik
“The strongest album of his career thus far” A Closer Listen
Reference Points : The Line of Best Fit
Talking Tech : Stamp The Wax
Interview : The List
In Conversation : Hyponik
Album of the Day : BBC 6 Music