“Crimes” lets you know immediately that this project, and this singer, is for real. Right from the “Oh, Ohhh” at the beginning through the very end of the song as the piano walks it out into the next tune.

That piano walkout feels like a statement moment for Ryan Gilfillian, the up-and-coming Philly R&B and soul singer who’s established himself locally with the ability to write a pop hit (“So Good”), a classic R&B heartbreaker, baby-makin’ music, then handoff the chorus so he can show out and spit some melodic bars, and do it all live with originality and flair.

Tone Setter

There’s something about the violin that sets the tone on “Crimes”. That lets you know that this is a quality production, not a rushed upload to streaming services… and most importantly, this ain’t your average Joe on the microphone.

Evergreen, the long-awaited debut EP from local artist, Ryan Gilfillian is out and it’s as smooth as expected. It opens with simplicity, a guitar and a great voice, a melody that actually reminds the listener of his standout single, “So Good,” but evolves into something uniquely its own. Almost like an evil version of “So Good.”

Flow

“Talk to Me” features his brother, critically-acclaimed and Nashville-based, Devon Gilfillian who’s has been making soulful R&B gold for some years now. So what does Ryan do on this song after a serenade on Track 1? 

He rocks the boat and flows on it.

Wavey bars that fit the rose & champagne frame of Devon’s vocals. This song is just clean as hell start to finish and deserves radio play and a permanent spot on 90% of the world’s nookie mixes. Get down to that on the dancefloor with your significant other… or on the bedroom floor… you get the picture.

“Reality” slows things down and brings back a lighter tone; a piano played under the moon. It’s a gentle ride into the next jam. Welcoming the audience back to their seat to refocus. The interlude to “Mary Mary,” where the nursery rhyme inspires nothing more than the first line, the song confirms the EP, at least in part, inspired by love lived, lost & longed for. 

Closing it out

“Evergreen” the title track goes back to the upbeat blues guitar focus of the opener. It wraps the EP in a circular fashion. If it is indeed a true love story, closure is found in the end and the bridges are properly burned. Sometimes understanding is tiring—I know that much personally—and so the final song is a beautiful one, as expected, but it’s a somber one, which was not expected.

Overall, Evergreen is a chef’s kiss of a debut from Ryan Gilfillian.

“Talk to Me” and “Mary Mary” are radio songs. Those violins on “Crime” are tasty as hell. I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty more high-quality stuff from him in the future. 

Follow Ryan on Instagram @RyanGilfillian !!