Love, nostalgia, and a touch of ghostly longing—Riva Taylor’s latest single, Valentine Road, is more than just a seasonal love song. The track takes its name from a real London street but transforms it into a poignant metaphor for the winding, unpredictable nature of modern relationships. With jazz-infused melodies and contemporary pop sensibilities, Taylor delivers a spellbinding listening experience that speaks to anyone who has ever been in love with the idea of love itself.
Collaborating with British funk and gospel artist Marcus Foster (aka Seramic) and mixed by Richard Wilkinson (who has worked with legends like Adele and Amy Winehouse), Taylor crafts a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. The rich instrumentation and atmospheric backing vocals give Valentine Road a haunting quality, making it a track that lingers in your mind long after the final note fades. Her vocals are effortless—emotive yet controlled—capturing the ache of nostalgia while still offering a glimmer of hope.
Taylor’s musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Signed to EMI at just 12 years old, she has spent years honing her craft, performing for royalty, dazzling at the BAFTAs, and even earning praise from R&B superstar Usher. With such a storied career, it’s no surprise that Valentine Road showcases the kind of refined artistry that only comes with experience. Drawing inspiration from the songwriting greats of the 1960s, like Joni Mitchell and The Beatles, she weaves their influence into a track that still feels uniquely her own.
As Taylor herself puts it, the song has “haunted” her since she first wrote it in 2021, waiting for the perfect moment to bring it to life. That moment arrived in the studio with Foster, where the song’s title was born naturally from the very place it was created. The result is a track that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable—an anthem for those who have walked the lonely streets of love, searching for something real.
With Valentine Road, Riva Taylor sets the stage for what’s to come—an exciting new EP arriving this June. If this first taste is anything to go by, listeners can expect a bold fusion of her theatrical roots and modern storytelling. Whether you’re celebrating love this Valentine’s season or reflecting on the one that got away, this track is the perfect soundtrack to your journey. So, take a walk down Valentine Road—you just might find yourself there.