Ryan Oaks
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Ryan Oakes doesn't do subtle, and "LIGHTS OUT" makes absolutely no apologies for that. From the opening seconds, the track barrels out of the speakers with the confidence of a heavyweight entering the ring, delivering a furious collision of alternative rock, hip-hop and modern metal that's impossible to ignore.
If you've been waiting for a song to soundtrack your next adrenaline rush, this is it. Oakes has spent years blurring the lines between genres, but LIGHTS OUT feels like one of his sharpest and most complete statements to date. The guitars hit with real weight, the beats punch through the mix, and the production never lets the energy dip for a second. Everything feels dialled up to maximum without descending into chaos—a difficult balance that the track absolutely nails.
The addition of Cody Carson from Set It Off proves to be inspired. Rather than feeling like a guest appearance added for streaming numbers, Carson becomes an essential part of the song's DNA. His soaring melodies provide the perfect contrast to Oakes' relentless vocal attack, creating a push-and-pull dynamic that keeps the song fresh from start to finish.
Lyrically, LIGHTS OUT is all about taking control. It's fuelled by defiance, swagger and the determination to stand your ground when the pressure is on. There are no self-pitying moments here—just pure conviction wrapped inside massive hooks and enough attitude to shake the walls.
What really elevates the single is how naturally Oakes moves between rap and melody. Plenty of artists attempt this hybrid approach, but few make it feel so effortless. His delivery carries genuine urgency, while the chorus arrives like a knockout punch, sticking in your head long after the song has finished.
The production deserves plenty of credit too. Every element has room to breathe despite the sheer intensity of the arrangement. The riffs bite, the drums thunder, the electronic textures add cinematic depth, and the entire track feels built for festival stages where thousands of fists are punching the air in unison.
More importantly, LIGHTS OUT never sounds manufactured. There's an authenticity to Ryan Oakes that separates him from many of his contemporaries. His music has always balanced vulnerability with aggression, and while this single leans heavily towards the latter, it still carries the emotional honesty that's become one of his defining traits. It also offers another tantalising glimpse of what's to come from his forthcoming album, Scary Stories After Dark, which promises to explore darker themes through his ever-evolving fusion of rock and hip-hop.
Fans of artists such as From Ashes To New, Hollywood Undead, I Prevail, Fever 333 and Set It Off will find plenty to love here, but Ryan Oakes is rapidly carving out a lane that's unmistakably his own. He's no longer simply mixing genres—he's building a sound that feels both current and uniquely personal.
LIGHTS OUT is loud, relentless and ridiculously infectious. It refuses to slow down, refuses to play safe and refuses to leave quietly. As another preview of Scary Stories After Dark, it suggests Ryan Oakes isn't just building towards a strong album—he's building towards a breakthrough moment.
For more information: Ryan Oakes
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