The Soft Rebellion Of Beauty In The Riot: Introducing Debut Ep "To Do" That Redefines Love Songs

Toronto’s Beauty in the Riot has released her debut album To Do, a warm and genre-blending body of work that leans into tenderness, jazz-inflected vocals, and thoughtful storytelling. In a city where emerging artists are often expected to fit into industry molds, Beauty in the Riot stands apart. She’s not rushing to conform or follow trends. Featured in The Source and The Breakfast Club, she’s carefully building something of her own, layering vulnerability, craft, and community at the center of her artistry. 

As her star continues to rise beyond Canadian borders, we delved into her journey as an artist and the creative vision behind a project that quietly redefines what love songs can sound like today.

A Legacy That Runs Deep, But Doesn’t Define Her

Beauty in the Riot is the daughter of the late Haydain Neale, the multi-Juno Award-winning frontman of Jacksoul, a group that paved the way for contemporary R&B in Canada. Growing up, music was woven into daily life. She remembers rapping as a child, making songs with her dad, and being immersed in an atmosphere where art was simply part of existing, even though she was shy at first.

“I always was making music. When I was younger, I used to make a lot of music with my dad, specifically, when I was a little kid, I would do talent shows, but I was actually rapping as a kid. So I would rap about my best friend moving away. And I was never really singing until much, much later, actually. And I used to be really shy. I used to sing only for my friends. Even the first time I recorded, all the lights had to be off. The person had to press record and leave the room. So the fact that I'm this far into my my music journey is actually very surprising to me, but hopefully that can be inspiration for other people who are shy about making music.”

Her artist name came from a real moment of reflection. She told us about sitting at her boyfriend’s funeral one morning when a butterfly kept tapping her face. For her, it became a sign.

“You always find these beautiful moments in chaos,  humans are so interesting in that way, where we could be going through something awful, but someone will tell a joke, whether that's at a funeral or at an inappropriate time or tell a story that makes everyone laugh. And I think it just sounds like the resilience of people, in a sense. I felt like I wanted to remind myself that you can find beauty or some sort of moment in all the stuff you go through. And that's really what I've always been like as a person. So the name stuck with me, and it's been that ever since.”

Sound Without Borders

The EP To Do reflects her wide range of musical influences, weaving jazz, soul, pop, and R&B. Her tone gives the music a unique identity regardless of style.

“I listen to country, I listen to jazz, I went to a Tool concert, I listened to rap, I listened to absolutely every genre. And I think there was a time earlier on in my career where I was like, oh, like, I don't know what genre I am, because everyone says you have to pick a genre. Its hard to put my art into one specific box. I remember one of my producers was like, 'you don't have to pick one', your voice and tone is the genre'."

Her inspirations range from Jessie Reyez, Amy Winehouse, and Sade to artists she’s recently discovered such as Mon Rovîa.

Carrying Forward Humanity, Not Just History

While her father’s musical legacy paved a path, it’s his humanity that shapes how she moves through the world.

“My dad's legacy, to me, is actually his personality. He would be having a full blown conversation with the janitor at the venue when he was opening for James Brown. It has nothing to do with like the person's job, but just the fact that my dad would always take the time to talk to somebody who wasn't necessarily going to be talked to by the artist. Because a lot of times when you go to venues like that, they'll specifically tell people don't talk to the artist unless they speak to you. And my dad would take the time. And then he would be like; 'his name is Victor, like, he has two kids, and his daughter's going to school next year for this', and he would really take the time to learn people, no matter where they are in life.I think that's something that's sometimes missing. I feel like people get a little bit of clout on social media  and they completely lose sight of just like you're still a human being, you know?”

Building Across, Not Just Up

As an independent artist, she’s found strength in community. Through Beatcave, a Canadian collective, she’s surrounded herself with artists who grow together.

“Finding a community, it doesn't necessarily have to be your friends and family, but finding other artists. And there's a lot of different communities in different cities, I work with one called Beatcave, and they do songwriting camps. I'm actually the membership coordinator for Toronto, so I actually work to help other independent artists, and I think that that's been a huge help in building my community even further."

A Debut EP that Leans Toward Light

To Do marks a significant creative milestone; not because it revolves around a viral hook, but because it feels fully and unmistakably her. Across the project, Beauty in the Riot builds an atmosphere that’s warm, open, and emotionally honest. Instead of chasing heartbreak tropes or high-gloss trends, she leans into love, connection, and the subtler textures of human experience. The result is a collection that invites listeners in rather than performing for them.

“I didn't set out to make a love EP, which is why it's even more telling of my character,” she says. “I'm always looking for silver linings. So it's even more authentic to me, the fact that it is such a positive project, and it wasn't that I did it on purpose, but once I realized I was very happy about it.”

The EP’s soundscape mirrors that outlook: jazzy vocals float over soulful arrangements and minimal yet very well produced melodies, creating moments that are as introspective as they are intimate. Tracks like "What If", a duet she wrote entirely herself, highlight her storytelling instincts and attention to detail. The song even opens with a real voice note, setting a personal tone from the very first seconds. Meanwhile, "Toxic Tempress" shows how seamlessly she channels everyday moments into rich imagery and poetic lyricism.

“Toxic Temptress shows some of my writing,” she shares in the interview. “I made that song while I was doing dishes in the kitchen, but lyrically, I think it stands out for me."

Meanwhile tracks like "Darling" lean into sweetness, showing another layer of her internal world. Unlike many artists who spend months teasing every drop, she chose to release the project without a heavy promotional build-up, letting the music speak for itself.

Looking Ahead

There is a lot that is waiting for Beauty in the Riot. She dreams of placing her music in film and TV, and writing for other artists.

“I'm a big movie nerd, and I'm always finding music from that. I think putting my songs into TV shows and movies is my major goal, and also writing for the next artist to take over."

Beauty in the Riot isn’t chasing trends or trying to outshout the crowd. Her debut EP carves out space for softness, jazz textures, and clear-eyed storytelling in a time when those qualities often get overlooked. It’s the quiet confidence that makes her stand out. And as she continues to grow, it’s clear that she’s steadily building a world that reflects exactly who she is; genuine and kind.

Listen to the EP on Spotify or Apple Music.

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Photo Credits: Courtesy of Beauty in the Riot