EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: The Riot - "Bottomless"

Photo Credit: Allie N. Walters

“Central PA band The Riot has incredible comeback with new single Bottomless” 

by Jesse Smith

Coming from Central Pennsylvania, The Riot is a band that blurs the lines between pop punk, emo, and modern rock music. I view the genre pop punk as an umbrella to the multiple popular sounds that fit under it, The Riot and especially with their new single “Bottomless” really nail the side of pop punk closer to the sound that blends the emo sound. Bands like The Wonder Years and Transit are Gods of this sound. Mix that with mid 2000’s influence like Good Charlotte and The Riot is what you have! This quartet has been a band since 2011, but after a 5 year hiatus, in 2019 the band has resurfaced and has been a force in the tri state and east coast scenes. This is the first new material they have put out since their 2014 album “Animation” and truthfully, it is their strongest. 

If you are going to come back, you come back swinging, and that is what The Riot did. Starting off the song pretty hard and driving catches attention, but the first thing that caught me was when the first verse comes in, the early Fall Out Boy influence oozes out. But as the song carries on, that leaves and the band really creates their own vibe. As the band locks in with the tempo for the chorus, the band really buckles down and drives it home with a steady back beat that makes it easy to jump to the rhythm. The transitions from part to part are seamless but they feel very mainstream rock, which somehow connects perfectly. As I listen to the song 2-3 more times I realize that the focus point of what makes this song special is the emotion. And while the music is kicking and we’re “4 to the floor” jumping away to the bass drum, we’re also singing these words at the top of our lungs. Although, that halftime ending was the perfect way to have that last minute switch and to show the heavy side of the band. 

The Riot taps into so many influences that are easy to pick out, but blends them in a way that’s uniquely difficult. You can feel the passion in the music and for the band to have been on a 5 year hiatus recently (and then have COVID wipe your dreams away for over a year) this song feels like a long time coming and they should be stoked for themselves that this came out so good. Not only does the song sound good, but the music video is also top notch. A big win for the band all around.