Ryan Edward Kotler - Queen Of A Small Town

Ryan Edward Kotler

Queen Of A Small Town
self-released; 2025

By Jamie Funk
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“Queen of a Small Town” by Ryan Edward Kotler takes the familiar contours of blues rock and gives them just enough grit to feel alive. Built around a steady pulse of heavy bass, the track leaves plenty of space for the guitar to stretch out and get a little unruly. The structure sticks close to tradition, but there’s a looseness in the delivery that makes it feel more barroom than blueprint. From the first listen, I felt like I was right there, halfway between the amps and a sticky floor, caught in the middle of a room full of sound.

There are a couple of guitar solos that hit with just the right amount of swagger, and Kotler keeps his vocals grounded, staying in a range that feels natural and unforced. I kept expecting him to jump an octave and really go for it, but he resists the urge to show off, which gives the song a kind of restraint that works in its favor.

The rhythm section holds it all together with a sense of ease, giving the track a laid-back but confident momentum. It feels like a song meant to be played live, the kind you stumble into at a roadside venue and remember for the energy more than the polish.

What impressed me most was how unpretentious it felt. There’s no sense of overproduction or posturing, just a musician leaning into the moment. It sets a welcoming tone and feels like a solid way to kick off a record. Kotler seems to understand the value of holding back just enough to make listeners want more. I’m looking forward to hearing where he goes from here.

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