Ricky Lake is a genre-defying artist blending dark, delicate emotion with raw energy, weaving together trap, alt-pop, and experimental electronic sounds. Rising from the Bay Area scene and evolving through projects like Last Summer Sucked and Saving Ricky, he’s known for vulnerable storytelling and electrifying live instrumentation—from full drum kits to shredding guitars. His recent work, including the experimental generative album Altered and the post-punk–inspired EP TUNDRA, showcases his fearless sonic evolution. Now back with his upcoming album BURDENS, Ricky channels introspective reflections and powerful collaborations into a bold new chapter that transforms personal struggle into dynamic sound.
Lake is never one to stick to a genre. Still, the artist’s undeniable gusto and individuality are present throughout all of his sonic escapades, and “section” is just a taste of the post-punk excellence featured on BURDENS. Lake’s latest is an explosion of nuanced fusion work that allows the artist’s acrobatic vocals to leap from venomous flows to aggressive yelps, as a sleek, chrome-laden arrangement dances with electronic flourishes. This is an immersive listen filled with palpable emotion, as Lake pushes out those who aimlessly suck energy with none to provide for the others. Lake is slowly becoming a modern-day renaissance man as he fearlessly navigates subgenres, and “section” is the start of this new era for the artist. His latest single is filled with raw, honed chaos that emphasizes the nuances of Lake’s artistry in a rowdy, poetic fashion.
“‘BURDENS’ is a reflection of the ache of patience, the haze of uncertainty, the sting of toxicity, and the slow process of healing. This EP explores life’s universally unspoken emotions under the surface,” explains Lake. “‘BURDENS’ is my reality: thankful and burdened.”
