One year has passed since Sheldon Riley captivated audiences with his powerhouse vocals, delivering a moving performance of 'Not The Same' for Australia at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy. Now, he returns with his highly-anticipated new single, 'INSANE', a hauntingly beautiful track that showcases Riley's musical and emotional depth.
As the global pandemic unfolded in 2020, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter found himself confined to a red zone and used the extremely rare and solitary pocket of time to to delve deeper into his creative process and pour his emotions into his music.
"I experienced a level of reflection that I don't think I've been able to truly tap into in the past," said Riley. "I've always written songs that are metaphorical and have a hidden message, but the forced downtime allowed me to realise that my strength in writing music lies within writing from the heart and straight up telling people the story, my story."
In 'INSANE', Riley explores the complex theme of loving someone with every fibre of your being, only to be met with an unreciprocated love that is conveniently available on the other person's terms. Through his raw and emotive lyrics, Riley artfully captures the emotional turmoil that ensues when one is trapped in this vicious cycle of love and pain.
"I think a lot of people will connect with this song because everyone, to some extent, has experienced that feeling of love and insanity," said Riley. "When you love someone with all your heart, but they constantly hurt you and only love you when it works for them, you begin to ask yourself if you're going insane but before you can answer the question, you're back to loving them and the vicious cycle continues."
Riley's creative vision for 'INSANE' extends beyond the music itself, as he also takes on the role of director for the accompanying cinematic music video. With a keen eye for detail and a multifaceted skill set, Riley brings his bold and entrancing aesthetic to life, delivering a visual experience that is just as captivating as his vocals.
"I wanted to produce a piece that was innovative and original while still retaining a sense of darkness that is uniquely me and effectively conveys the intended story," said Riley. "I was inspired by some of my favourite movies that explore the subtleties of insanity; big, dark films like the Harry Potter series, the Twilight Saga, The Addams Family, Where The Wild Things Are, and all of Tim Burton's masterpieces."
Riley's avant-garde style and raw, melodic sound have earned him a reputation as a true creative, and his 'INSANE' music video is a testament to his artistic vision. In a stunning display of craftsmanship, Riley spent over 30 hours designing and constructing an outfit made from over 62 metres of ethically sourced human hair, demonstrating both his passion and commitment to his art.
"It's very important for me that everything I do is as equally powerful and fashion-forward as it is musically adept," said Riley. "This song is so different compared to my previous work, and I wanted to reflect that in the outfit. I also wanted to play with movement for the first time and show people that I'm not just the guy who stands behind the microphone, so I changed up my usual silhouette and worked with a material that allowed me to showcase another side to myself."
As an artist who constantly pushes boundaries with his innovative designs and electrifying performances, Sheldon Riley is poised to have yet another blockbuster year in 2023. Currently, he is directing his energy towards his long-awaited debut album, which is scheduled to be released later this year.
"When you're creating songs the way that I'm creating them, it really is such a passion project," said Riley. "It's a huge piece of my heart that I give to the world and, ultimately, to people who are willing to listen, so I'm really excited and proud to be releasing music made the way I want to make it."
'INSANE' is now available on all major streaming platforms.
