“Dreams” by RISE – A Soaring Anthem of Aspiration and Uncertainty

Dreams

Liverpool-based rock outfit RISE delivers a euphoric rush of energy with their new single, “Dreams”, a high-octane ode to ambition, uncertainty, and the universal pursuit of something greater. This four-piece, comprised of Sam Kinley (aka stayMellow) on bass and vocals, Paul Kinley on keyboards and backing vocals, Alex Mahoney on drums, and Brian Petch on guitar, continues to carve their name into the melodic rock landscape with a sound that is both instantly recognisable and endlessly uplifting.

From the first few bars, “Dreams” pulses with kinetic life, an uptempo rhythm section anchoring waves of synths and chime-bright guitars. The production, helmed by Rob Whiteley at Liverpool’s Whitewood Studios, feels expansive yet tight, perfectly calibrated to the band’s signature blend of rock edge and melodic precision. Sam Kinley’s vocals carry a passionate urgency, cutting through the mix with sincerity as he sings of aspirations we all hold, and the uncertain roads we travel to reach them.

Lyrically, “Dreams” taps into a deeply relatable truth: everyone has dreams, but the path to fulfilling them is often uncharted. “There is no map to follow,” Kinley sings, with an honesty that never feels fatalistic but only determined. The message is one of hope through ambiguity; of pressing forward even when the way isn’t clear. This theme is mirrored in the song’s dynamic arrangement, which builds and swells like the emotional journey it describes, peaking in a chorus that feels like a collective exhale of belief.

What sets RISE apart is its ability to balance emotional depth with musical accessibility. While “Dreams” is undeniably catchy, it avoids the pitfall of superficiality. Each band member contributes to the song’s layered richness, from Mahoney’s crisp, propulsive drumming to Petch’s shimmering guitar tones and Paul Kinley’s atmospheric keys, all wrapped in a sense of cohesion that only comes from a band truly in sync.

In “Dreams,” RISE has crafted a track that uplifts and resonates. It’s a soundtrack for those standing at life’s crossroads, unsure of the next step but unwilling to stand still. It’s the anthem for anyone still believing in something better, even when the path forward is fogged with doubt. With this release, RISE affirms their place as one of the most compelling melodic rock acts coming out of the UK right now—ambitious, authentic, and impossible to ignore.

For more information, follow Rise on Spotify and Instagram.