RIYA — This Is Riyality 2x12

Riya – This Is Riyality opens V Recordings’ PLV244LP as a double 12-inch set that charts a personal odyssey across the full spectrum of drum-and-bass. The limited-edition release arrives in a full-colour sleeve with matching inner sleeves, shrink-wrapped for collectors, and showcases the vocalist’s most introspective songwriting to date. Within the V Recordings catalogue, this double LP follows the earlier outings “One Stop Mr Driver” by Krust (VFR001, 2025) and the retrospective “30 Years of V (Bryan Gee presents)” (PLV195LP, 2024). It arrives after the label’s 2023 releases from Lemon D and Dillinja, and sits alongside Paul T & Edward Oberon’s “Strange Days 2x12” (PLV150LP, 2022), positioning Riya’s album as a contemporary statement in a lineage of diverse drum-and-bass projects. Side A opens with “Sapphire Skies” (A1), a collaborative effort with Etherwood and Gemma Rose that sets a luminous tone, followed by “Similarity” (A2) featuring Bladerunner and Alex Hill, which deepens the emotional palette while maintaining momentum. “Overlook” (A3) with Crystal Clear continues the narrative, offering a reflective bridge to the B-side. The B-side begins with “What U Gonna Do?” (B1), a partnership with Zero T and Collette Warren that injects a questioning energy, then moves to “Different Kind” (B2) with Minor Forms and Alex Hill, presenting a contrasting mood. “Grateful” (B3) with L-Side rounds out the side with a concise, appreciative vibe. Side C shifts toward brighter textures; “Catch Light” (C1) with Motiv introduces a hopeful shimmer, while “Love” (C2) with Level 2 supplies a warm, melodic pulse. “So Close” (C3) featuring Sl8r and DRS adds a sense of intimacy that prepares the listener for the final side. The D-side closes the journey. “Only Way We Knew” (D1) with Melinki offers a resolute finish to the first half of the record, followed by “Things Will Turn Out Alright” (D2) with Auris and Voice MC, which reassures with an uplifting resolve. “Better” (D3) alongside The Vanguard Project provides a reflective turn, and the record ends on “How High” (D4) with Quadrant and Iris, a soaring finale that encapsulates the album’s theme of upward movement. Riya’s third studio album is a chronologically assembled collection of thirteen tracks that map five to seven years of personal transformation—from loss and heartbreak to renewal and self-discovery. The record’s breadth, from liquid-inspired moments to heavyweight rollers, reflects her refusal to be confined to a single drum-and-bass sub-style, instead allowing each collaboration to highlight a different facet of her vocal and lyrical identity. For DJs, the record offers a versatile toolkit: the A-side tracks provide atmospheric entry points for early-set moods, the B-side supplies mid-set tension and release, while the C- and D-sides deliver peak-time energy and closing statements. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive narrative, the array of featured producers, and the tactile appeal of the coloured packaging. The release is presented as a 2×12-inch vinyl set, housed in a full-colour sleeve with matching inner sleeves and shrink-wrapped for protection. Riya – This Is Riyality, V Recordings, catalogue PLV244LP, 2x12-inch vinyl, thirteen tracks. Tracklist: A1. Riya, Etherwood & Gemma Rose – Sapphire Skies A2. Riya, Bladerunner & Alex Hill – Similarity A3. Riya & Crystal Clear – Overlook B1. Riya, Zero T & Collette Warren – What U Gonna Do? B2. Riya, Minor Forms & Alex Hill – Different Kind B3. Riya & L-Side – Grateful C1. Riya & Motiv – Catch Light C2. Riya & Level 2 – Love C3. Riya, Sl8r & DRS – So Close D1. Riya & Melinki – Only Way We Knew D2. Riya, Auris & Voice MC – Things Will Turn Out Alright D3. Riya & The Vanguard Project – Better D4. Riya, Quadrant & Iris – How High