By Colin 
Rianne Downey is preparing to release her debut album The Consequence of Love this October via Run On. The ten-track collection marks a turning point in her songwriting, placing emotional honesty and country-tinged storytelling at the centre of her craft.
Each track was written by Rianne, some in collaboration with her long-time creative partner Nathaniel Laurence. Grammy-winning producer Ryan Hadlock, known for work with Brandi Carlile and Zach Bryan, produced the album. His input gives the record a grounded and intimate sound that complements Rianne’s voice perfectly.
“The title, The Consequence of Love, came from one of the last songs I wrote,” she says. “It captures the heart of the whole album. Each song is the product of the consequence of love.” Her reflections carry across themes of grief, joy, heartbreak and recovery.
The title track was inspired by the loss of her grandmother. Rianne wrote it while navigating the difficult emotions brought on by dementia in her family. “It’s a reflection on the fragile nature of life and love,” she explains. “I think naturally as people, we often hold onto a childlike belief that the ones we love will always be there. It’s a painful realisation when life reminds us otherwise.”
A collection rooted in lived experience
The album offers a variety of moods, from the energetic country-pop of ‘Good in Goodbye’ to the slower introspection of ‘Lost in Blue’. Rianne’s latest single ‘Angel’ stands out as a moment of stillness and clarity. She describes it as a classic, fingerpicked country song. “I wanted it to feel timeless, like it could’ve been written today or in the 1950s,” she says. “It’s probably the track I’m proudest of.”
‘Angel’ also carries a personal message. “I think women are taught from a young age that we have to perform or serve to be worthy,” she says. “This song captures the moment I realised you shouldn’t have to perform for anyone. You don’t need to be ‘enough’ for the right person. Just being is enough.”
Rianne grew up in Bellshill, just outside Glasgow, surrounded by the sounds of Patsy Cline, June Carter, Townes Van Zandt and Joni Mitchell. More recently, artists like First Aid Kit, Sierra Ferrel and Noah Kahan have influenced her. These touchpoints give the album both a nostalgic warmth and a modern edge.
A voice ready for bigger stages
After spending last year touring with Paul Heaton, Rianne is now building her own live momentum. She recently returned to TRNSMT Festival and is scheduled to play twelve headline shows across the UK and Ireland. Several dates, including Hull, London and Nottingham, have already sold out.
The tour ends with a special homecoming show at The Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow on 6th December. With each performance, Rianne continues to grow her audience and deepen her connection with listeners. This debut album arrives at exactly the right moment in that journey.
The Consequence of Love introduces a songwriter with depth, clarity and heart. Its themes are universal, but the voice behind them is unmistakably her own.
Angel Review
‘Angel’ opens with gentle guitar and nothing else. The simplicity invites listeners in without trying too hard. Rianne sings with grace, her voice full of both fragility and strength. She does not aim for drama. Instead, she sits comfortably in the stillness, letting the message unfold slowly.
The lyrics challenge how women are taught to measure their worth. They also reflect the moment Rianne allowed herself to stop performing and start simply existing. ‘Angel’ feels timeless, yet personal. It is a standout track that is guaranteed to elevate the album and shows the full emotional reach of her writing.
It’s clear that Rianne is one of the most exciting musicians in the UK country-pop scene and The Consequence of Love is going to be a genre-defining album.
You can follow Rianne Downey on Instagram and you can pre-order The Consequence of Love here.
Photo Credit: Sam Crowston