Boston-based singer-songwriter Ryan John Clary returns with ‘bandit.’, his long-anticipated second album. Closing out a packed and creatively rich year, Clary delivers a project that brings elegant songwriting and affecting emotional sincerity.
Deeply inspired by today’s sociopolitical and emotional climate, ‘bandit.’ emerges as a raw yet carefully constructed reflection on grief, disconnection, resilience, and hope. As a practicing mental health professional, Clary’s work is often rooted in care, compassion, and unfiltered reality. Sonically the 7 track glides between folk-pop delicacy and indie-rock grit, recalling elements of Sufjan Stevens, Bob Dyaln and Elliott Smith, while folding in the timeless allure of classic influences reminiscent of the Beatles.
“This is the most disciplined and focused I’ve been making a record. I’m very proud of it and I hope it can bring people comfort during this hard time,” Clary shares.
The album includes an emotional interlude dedicated to his late friend and collaborator, Jordan Brooks, whose presence looms large throughout the record. That loss, along with Clary’s own ongoing engagement with recovery work, informs the album’s central themes: human vulnerability, perseverance, and the search for meaning amid uncertainty.
A veteran of the Boston music scene since 2011, Clary has spent the past decade shaping his craft through various musical avenues — from band projects and session work to a growing solo career. With the release of his debut solo album in 2024, Clary began using his platform not only to explore his artistry but also to advocate for mental health and recovery awareness. That dual mission continues with ‘bandit.’, an album that speaks as much to the soul as it does to the current social climate.
Listen below:
