roman around, the creative project led by Roman Rivera, shares “Wish (Tapes EP)” via Trailing Twelve Records, an 18-minute project that signals a new stage in their evolution.
The EP revisits four pieces written between 2022 and 2024, reshaped through the analog warmth of a Yamaha CMX100. In peeling back layers and finding new focus, roman around refines the essence of their artistry, a process deeply tied to their ongoing work as an educator and advocate for LGBTQ+ and POC communities in Fresno, California.
Opening with the title track, “Wish” draws you in through brooding synth pulses and subtle tonal shifts. In the background, faint voices drift like half-remembered secrets. The piece sets the tone, quiet yet deeply affecting, built not on spectacle but on emotional connections. It’s the kind of intimacy listeners have come to expect from roman around since their features on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic and other tastemaker platforms.
On “Moves - pt.2,” Rivera reworks the melody from “Moves” from “The Toll of Unconditional Love” into a new composition. Clock-like synth motifs converse with echoing vocals chanting “shame,” transforming private reflection into political commentary, a hallmark of Rivera’s socially engaged songwriting, shaped by their experience as an educator and advocate for inclusion. The track bridges the personal and the collective, resonating with themes of displacement and resilience.
Meanwhile, “Bear the Burden - pt.2” merges heavy guitar textures with crisp electronic percussion, building tension between memory and immediacy. Dalton Morris contributes vocals, bass, and guitar, adding an organic pulse beneath the digital haze. “Star Signs - pt.2” closes the EP on a more ethereal note, drifting through synth-laden atmospheres that intertwine with roman’s earnest vocal presence.
“Wish (Tapes EP)” feels like a recalibration of Rivera’s present reality, merging artistry, identity, and purpose.
“This project allows me to experiment and express concern with some ongoing geopolitical issues. I hope to show my perseverance and leadership, as those who know me know that I have been climbing out of a hole for a minute. I'm not going anywhere! Thanks for the support, more coming.” — Rivera.
The record highlights roman around’s evolving sound, and it also reaffirms their commitment to nurturing inclusive creative spaces and community dialogue through music. At just 18 minutes, the EP stands as both a reflection and a promise of what’s still to come.
