FFO: Cat Ryan – Free From This

Photo by Ellen Dixon

Newcastle indie‑pop outfit Cat Ryan release their new single Free From This, a bright, surf‑leaning track that originally shaped the band’s sound and identity. Written years ago and long established as a live staple, the song now arrives in its first studio form, following their EP King of the World and recent singles Mannerism, Rex Mundi and Lost My Connection.

Sonically, the track bursts with summery vibrance — dancing riffs and shuffling, shaky rhythms wrapped around a warm, melodious vocal that sits front and centre in the mix.

Here the band try and encapsulate the sound of their single using three other tracks…

Viola Beach – Like A Fool

Cat Ryan started as my solo project back in 2017 when I was still at school. I’d been writing music for years but could never quite find my sound until then. On the way to school one morning, I was chatting with a friend, swapping music recommendations, and she said I’d like Viola Beach. I hadn’t heard of them at the time – this was shortly after their tragic passing – but when I listened, I fell in love with their sound instantly. It was their clean-tone, upbeat, surfy lead guitar lines, particularly in ‘Like a fool’ that I was drawn to. I’d already been experimenting with that kind of tone myself, but the way they used it gave me a much clearer sense of direction so I kind of owe it to them in a way. Also, watching them perform it at BBC Maida Vale session on YouTube was massively inspiring to me as a young musician just starting out. 

Free From This is actually the first song I wrote after listening to Viola Beach, where something just clicked and I thought, this is it. It’s got that surf-soaked, summery feel I fell for in their music, and it captures exactly where I was as a songwriter back then. It’s not the sound I make now, but I’m proud of it all these years later. It feels like my origin song which is part of why I wanted to finally put it out.

Bombay Bicycle Club – Luna

I was very much deep in my baby indie phase at the time of writing ‘Free from this’, and Bombay Bicycle Club were one of my big influences. I love it for the infectiously groovy, punchy drums and bassline, and the euphoric, dreamy electronic textures layered on top – the production really lets each element shine while still sounding beautifully cohesive. This was just a song I had on repeat around the time I was writing ‘Free From This’. Our song’s a lot simpler sonically, but I think it’s got a similar kind of punch, just more laid-back.

Hippo Campus – Little Grace

Hippo Campus were another band I stumbled across around this time, and they were massively inspiring for me when I was just starting to release music for the first time. Discovering them alongside the likes of Viola Beach, Vampire Weekend, and Bombay Bicycle Club opened up this whole new world of music for me. It felt like I was constantly finding new sounds and ideas to pull from – definitely a sound-defining year for me. Their bright, warm tones and bouncy kind of energy was what I gravitated towards, and something that influenced ‘Free from this’. ‘Little Grace’ was one I had on repeat back then and it’s stuck with me ever since.