Rio Romeo Offers Raw Reflection with “Without You,” from Their Debut Album “Good Grief”
Rio Romeo’s emotional ballad “Without You” honors a lost friend and finds beauty in pain and memory.
Rio Romeo’s latest single “Without You” is out now, a piano-led ballad that dives into themes of grief, identity, and remembrance. The track is the third preview from their debut album Good Grief, out July 18 via AWAL, and showcases Rio’s raw, expressive voice alongside stripped-down, emotionally resonant production.
“‘Without You’ is one of the heavier songs on the record,” Rio shares. “I wrote it about one of my friends who ended up dying in a suicide by cop incident when I was very young… he was my first boyfriend, and we were friends for many years.”
Their storytelling is deeply reflective: “Although my life ended up moving forward and his didn’t, I think I am with him, fundamentally, in concrete—the 17-year-old inside my body.”
Good Grief chronicles the chaotic and transformative past five years of Rio’s life—including experiences of homelessness, injury, and recovery. Yet the album maintains Rio’s unique blend of musical-theater drama and punk-edge vitality, offering a safe space for young Queer listeners navigating a complex world.
“Shit’s fucked up… That’s why I choose to share what I share,” Rio notes. “I hope that it makes one person feel heard and feel less alone.”
A rising force online, Rio has earned over 713,000 TikTok followers and more than 308 million Spotify streams. Their Good Grief! Tour kicks off October 2 with stops in major U.S. cities, connecting their deeply personal music with fans across the country.
