Ruth B’s “Intro” Review

Get used to hearing the name Ruth B in the music industry. The 20 year-old singer-songwriter from Canada has been rising to the top ever since her song “Lost Boy” went viral on YouTube with nine million views. She released her debut EP, The Intro, in late November of 2015, which included the enchanting “Lost Boy.” Ruth B. puts her heart and soul into every note she sings, casting a spell that hypnotizes all that hear her whispery voice.  

The Intro is made up of four tracks, starting off with the refreshingly honest love song that is “Two Poor Kids.” Alongside strong piano chords, Ruth B paints a picture of a sunny, happy-go-lucky world that is made up of her and the one she loves, even though it is not a rich world, golden with fame. Ruth B conveys the message that money does not lead to happiness, but rather, love does, which is a lesson we all need to learn at some point in our lives. Ruth B spreads this message effectively with her melodic and light voice.

The middle two tracks of this release, “Lost Boy,” and “Golden,” are my personal favorites. Ruth B showcases a clever songwriting prowess in, “Lost Boy,” a reference to the story of Peter Pan, which is incorporated throughout the entirety of the song. This reference to the perfect childhood story of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Captain Hook, masks the much darker undertone message of loneliness and isolation, and it is absolutely mesmerizing. There is no other way to describe the authenticity of Ruth B’s vocals than purely magical, especially in, “Lost Boy.” Her voice never rises above a whisper, as if sharing a secret with those who dare listen. This track paved her road to fame, and rightfully so, for her stripped back, mellifluous vocals alongside heartbreakingly soothing piano melodies, resonate within every listener.

“Golden,” is definitely the most upbeat and lively of the four tracks, concerning the piano chords. Ruth B’s soft and gentle voice manages to also be bold and strong, to go hand-in-hand with the self-motivational lyrics: “Cause I’m not weak, I’m not broken I am bold / And the fire you put me through turned me into gold / I’m not done, I’m no loser / Watch me take on my bright future.”

The final track of The Intro closes out her first production on a high note. “Superficial Love,” like her other songs, is more of a ballad, dependent on strong piano chords. Yet in this tune, Ruth B sings more casually, with a dash of sass, similar to talking with an old friend, unlike her other songs, but her voice is laced with the same heartbreaking emotion all the same.

At only 20 years old, Ruth B is slowly but surely gaining popularity in the music industry, receiving more and more radio airplay. It won’t be long before Ruth B’s fanbase will grow much larger. With an impressive vocal command, Ruth B puts all of her heart and soul into every gentle note she sings. The Intro lives up to its title, a perfect beginning to Ruth B’s career, ensuring a promising future for the young talent.