Class 2 Rapids is an album that refuses to stand still. Just like the shifting river current behind its name, this record moves, evolves, and surprises you at every turn. Dropping on December 17th, 2025, this second solo album shows an artist fully embracing creative freedom and instinct.
You’ll hear everything from pop rock and 90s alternative vibes to classic rock, psychedelic touches, and even alt-country folk rock by the end. With 15 tracks total, it’s a complete journey that showcases serious musical chops and production skill.
Most of the mixing and production happened in the artist’s own studio, which gives the whole album this confident, hands-on feel. There’s real experimentation here, blending humor with deep reflection and switching between raw emotion and fresh perspectives.
The collaboration with different songwriters and musicians adds even more depth and texture throughout. Class 2 Rapids is an exciting creative statement that flows naturally from start to finish, taking you somewhere new with each song.
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“Class 2 Rapids feels like a journey rather than a tightly defined concept album. When you were writing and recording it, did you see it as a story unfolding, or did the shape of the album reveal itself over time?
Yeah, the album flows like a changing river current. Start the float down the river with 2 pop rock songs, then two 90’s alternative Rock songs, then 4 classic rock songs with a psychedelic rock song in-between. Then side B is basically alt. country folk rock. Then I book mark it with the original “Dream Away” back to rock.
Yes, “Class 2 Rapids” is a journey for me, this is my 2nd solo album, my album CD is my business card. It’s what I can do, musical performance, recording, and production.
This is your second solo album, released on December 17th, 2025. In what ways do you feel you’ve grown or changed as a songwriter since your previous release?
Since “Class 1 Rapids” I’ve grown in efficiency. None of the songs off the 1st album were mixed or produced in my studio. Tracked yes but not mixed and produced. On this 2nd album 10 out of 15 songs, I mixed and produced in my own studio. I’ve had a great teacher & many years of recording experience.
I believe there is more experimentation, art, & confidence captured in the music performances as well.
The album moves freely between classic rock, pop, folk, alt-country, metal, and swamp rock. What gives you the confidence to let songs cross genres so naturally without worrying about labels?
It’s just what happened naturally, I love all these genres. I get bored listening to the same genre of music anyway. I grew up listening to albums and most you can tell the album was mixed all at once together as the mix for each song is the same throughout with not much change in instrumentation or mix. I took the approach of a best of collection album. Each songs uses different guitars, different amps, different musicians, different microphones, etc.
Storytelling is a big strength on this record. Songs like “Hang Loose,” “Dance with Me,” and “Black Roses” each explore very different emotional spaces. How do you decide when a song needs a direct message versus a more symbolic or reversed perspective?
I’ll touch on Black Roses. “Black Roses” is reverse perspective because I’ve wrote my perspective so many times direct and symbolic in “Dream Away”, “Bad Habit”, “Jasmine Girl”, & “In Our House” that it was time for her perspective.
“Hang Loose” touches on work pressure and burnout in a way that feels very relatable. Was that song inspired by personal experience, or by observing the people around you?
Yes, personal experience. Sometimes all the things in life can get you stressed out. This song has a great video to it about hanging out with your friends and letting loose, having a good time.
Tracks like “Billy the Kid” and “Mule of Mine” bring humor into the album. How important is it for you to leave room for lighter or playful moments alongside heavier themes?
A book author friend of mine handed me lyrics to what became the chorus and 1st verse of “Mule of Mine”. A different friend heard it and said, “Hey I got a song about a goat”. Then we recorded “Billy the Kid”. Yeah they probably don’t fit next to side A but they are such great songs that I felt I needed to include on the album.
You worked with multiple songwriters and more than ten musicians on this project. How did collaboration shape the final sound of Class 2 Rapids?
There is variety and I’ll bet my own money any listener won’t think the songs all sound alike.
The album was recorded at Mosspit Studio and BigSound Productions in Georgia. What did those spaces allow you to explore creatively?
David Levene at BigSound Production is my recording teacher, vocal teacher, & friend. If I need help on songwriting or knock your socks off guitar playing, I go to him.
There’s a quiet confidence running through this release. Do you feel more comfortable trusting your instincts now than earlier in your career?
Yes, as well as my collaborators instincts.
Finally, when listeners reach the end of Class 2 Rapids, what do you hope stays with them long after the music stops?
I hope a song sticks with them! A melody, a story, & that its memorable enough in a sea of endless great music to get added to their own playlist. -RR
