Psychology
After returning from a successful two-year engagement in London, England, the British alt-pop band formerly known as Empire Kings, has returned to Utah with a new brand, a new sound, and a brand-new song called “Pretending,” the lead single from their debut album, which shines a light on important issues like mental illness, anxiety, and depression.
The music video was released on the group’s YouTube channel on 2 March 2018. In a recent press release, lead singer Colin Rivera commented, “We’ve all had times that make us feel as though we’ve had to power through and pretend everything is okay. What I hope people take from the song is a message of solidarity, and hopefully comfort, in the normalization of imperfection. Realize it’s okay not to be okay.”
The band, now known as Psychology, is the genius of British singer/songwriter Colin Rivera. While developing Psychology’s electrifying live show, Rivera has shared the stage with artists such as Mark Ronson, Sam Smith, Chvrches, Kasabian, The Kooks, Tom Jones, Ellie Goulding, Clean Bandit, George Ezra, Hozier, The Script, James Bay, Calvin Harris, Lindsey Sterling, HelloGoodbye, Hollywood Ending, Paradise Fears, The Rocket Summer, Hoobastank, He Is We, and The Ataris. His live show has filled venues across the United States and the United Kingdom, including the iconic Hard Rock Café (San Diego), Barfly (London), Dublin Castle (London), and V Festival (Hylands Park, England).
Combining sophisticated indie rock with raw lyrical emotion and soaring pop melodies, the band has developed a sound that is exceptional. According to the band’s official website, “Psychology resonates with fans of The 1975, HAIM, and Sigur Rós, whilst delivering a rare sense of uniqueness.”
In the press release, Rivera also explained that he felt it necessary to change the band’s name after spending the past two years based in London and touring the United Kingdom. He said, “Playing music in a city like London forces everyone to sink or swim, and it really changed the vision I had for my music. So, coming back to Utah after two years, I felt it was important to start fresh with a new name while still respecting my past as Empire Kings.” Rivera further explained that the new name for the band was inspired from his own experiences with the topics addressed in the new single “Pretending.” He said, “Last year, I reached a point where I couldn’t stand the thought of letting my anxiety be such a force for negativity any longer. I decided to name the new band Psychology to take back that part of my life. Rather than living in fear of my own psychology, I’m channeling it into something really positive that I care about.”
“Pretending” is now available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Follow Psychology
Recent Posts
Peter Breinholt and One Voice Children’s Choir for Operation Underground Railroad
Someone has wisely stated, “People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used.” And so it is in the cold dark world of child sex trafficking. The sweet...
Amber Lynn And Her American Idol Experience
I don’t know about you, but I have always romanticized about the idea of being on American Idol, receiving that golden ticket from world renowned judges, and heading off to Hollywood. Recently a young woman named Amber Lynn Stoppel had the opportunity to do just this....
Alex Boye’s Under The Sea- The Little Mermaid vs. Captain Jack Sparrow
For those of us who were born in the 1990’s, I am sure we remember the fun and adventurous movie “The Little Mermaid” being part of our childhoods. The Little Mermaid came out in 1989… if that doesn’t make you feel old, I don’t know what will!! Ever since I was young,...
Elenyi’s Multilingual Voices – I Know that My Redeemer Lives
Aldous Huxley once said, “After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” And it was Joseph Addison, an English essayist who said, “Music wakes the soul, and lifts it high, and wings it with sublime desires, and fits it to bespeak the...
Looking Back on Brooke White’s American Idol Experience
In 2005 American Idol ran their seventh season. They had no idea who was going to be trying out for this season, and for those of us who have watched American Idol auditions, we know that, to say the least, there are quite a few characters who try out for this...
The Piano Guys – Amazing Grace – This is Your Fight Song
No one ever promised us that life would be a rose garden. No one ever promised us that the road that we would travel would be smooth as glass. Life is full of many lofty mountains and many low and desolate valleys. There may be a “Goliath” which crosses our path from...