Tommy Richman’s staying power is decided with his debut album, “COYOTE.”
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TOP 5
Honorable Mention. seems like time moves forever. (Ft. mynameisntjmack)
Getting lost in “seems like time moves forever” was a very enjoyable experience.
“seems like time moves forever” is arguably the most experimental track on this album. It opens with quirky, b-boy-inspired instrumentation that blends various genres into an atmospheric sound. Tommy Richman delivers his vocals with a carefree, devil-may-care attitude that aligns perfectly with his complex lyrics, which explore the paradox of silence in tumultuous relationships. Featured artist mynameisntjmack brings an emotionally charged, relentless rap verse that beautifully collides with the track. Overall, this song is likely to convince skeptics of Tommy’s undeniable talent.
5. GREEN THERAPY
Tommy Richman reminds us that colors can get you in trouble in a relationship.
On an album filled with smooth, laid-back tracks, “GREEN THERAPY” shines as the smoothest of them all. The song features an easygoing, glimmering beat that I’m sure our grandparents would have loved. Tommy meets the beat at the rim with this extra sly singing style that makes it feel like he has everything in control regarding his relationships. However, he brings up his woman, who he doesn’t feel good enough for, his turbulent father, and his disappointed mother. On some real s**t, this is a very sad track.
4. LETTERMAN (Ft. Paco)
OK, we get some somewhat upbeat s**t here!
The main reason I consider “LETTERMAN” a top 5 track from this album is the outstanding chorus; it might just be the best on the project. Additionally, the melody Tommy Richman plays with gives off slight MJ vibes, and Paco’s vocals remind me of Justin Timberlake (I can’t believe I just typed those things). Lyrically, I really connect with Tommy’s reflections on his nights in DC with his partner and his desire to relive those moments once they work through their differences. For once, I can actually relate to the subject matter of a song.
3. GIVE IT ALL
Holy s**t, Tommy Richman just sampled one of my favorite tracks of all time!
Ninety-three percent of the reason I decided to include “GIVE IT ALL” in this top five list is that it samples one of my favorite tracks of all time: “Luven Me” by Nelly. While Tommy Richman’s performance doesn’t quite match the energy Nelly brought to the original track, it’s still pretty damn good. I love how Tommy sings like a guy doing karaoke at an empty bar on a rainy night while also coming off as a simp willing to give this girl he’s into everything she wants, including 70% of Diddy’s baby oil stash. I need “GIVE IT ALL” in my veins, bro.
2. WHITNEY
Is Whitney a singing answer machine like Tommy?
“WHITNEY” is the kind of track I can easily picture going crazy at a skating rink. Right from the jump, the mesmerizing synths pull you in, and the upbeat dance vibes make it super fun to listen to. Tommy Richman delivers with his vibrant, static-filled vocals, letting the “girl of his dreams” know he’s fed up with her disrespect. In my opinion, Tommy absolutely killed this s**t.
1. THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE
People usually marry twos because they are easier to manage.
In “THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE,” Tommy Richman’s unmistakable style shines through once again. Over starry production that feels perfect for the end of a prom night, Tommy lays down his distorted, intensely emotional vocals, talking about a connection he thought was special. But now, that person’s left him in the dust, and he’s feeling dirtier than a Derrick Henry stiff arm. Do I like the track? Absolutely. Do I think it’ll stop people from calling him a singing answering machine? Probably not.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(B-) (80%)
I’ve reviewed over 4,000 albums on this site; I’ve never heard one like this.
The first thing I want to highlight about this project is the production—it’s absolutely fantastic. With smooth, atmospheric, and slightly vintage sounds layered like a decadent tiramisu, Tommy Richman masterfully evokes a range of emotions. Listening to the album takes me back to my youth, reminding me of artists like MJ, while some tracks bring to mind my teenage years spent with Nelly’s albums, and others even provide a touch of TikTok nostalgia.
Does Tommy deliver exaggerated singing performances over these beats? Ya darn tootin! His vocals are spritzy, passionate, and highly distorted, almost satire-like at times. The only reason I don’t believe he’s an AI-generated artist is because I read about his upbringing.
Lyrically, Tommy Richman takes a straightforward approach, exploring themes of love and heartbreak. In between, he reflects on his experiences in the DMV, his hometown, which adds a personal touch that definitely resonated with me. Overall, he drops verses that many can connect with.
My answer machine better count its days after hearing Tommy do work like this.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
