In his new song “(there’s too many songs called) One More Time,” indie singer-songwriter ryan John clary guides listeners on a gutting, unexpectedly uplifting ride through the whirlwind of addiction and recovery. And if the truth be told, there’s a sense of lightness despite the message. Opening his double single EP "The First Sip" with “Silly Billy,” Clary shows that while life can be complicated and overwhelming, the music doesn’t always have to follow suit.
The track is immediately surprising in its breezy, beachy feel, like it gets you to sway along before you notice how straight the lyrics get into the struggle. Clary is honest and unflinching in his storytelling. There’s no shying away from the personal heartbreak of struggling to quit addiction or losing friends to the same battles he works to overcome. Instead of wallowing in despair, the song glows with hope and fortitude, a reflection of Clary’s own experience with mental health and healing.
The beauty of this release is that, despite its heaviness, Clary has an undeniable talent for contrasting dark themes with a bright, dreamy sound. Bedded with sun-dappled melodies and a dampened indie beat, the song holds an anticipatory tension pain nestled between beauty. His voice, intimate and unguarded, draws listeners in, turning every lyric into a shared confession.
“(there are too many songs called) One More Time,” doesn’t just entertain, it resonates. It’s a reminder that to be soft is to be empowered, and that even the heaviest experiences can be communicated through light and life-affirming art. With this single, ryan john clary establishes himself as an artist not afraid to translate personal struggles into music that’s both genuine and inviting.
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