Ricki Ayela’s “In Between” Is a Cinematic Fever Dream and We’re Still Floating in It

There are songs you hear, and then there are songs you see. Ricki Ayela’s new release, “In Between,” is firmly the latter — a dusky, shimmering alt-pop track that plays like a movie you’ve been trying to remember from a dream. And by the time the final note fades, you’re already reaching for the replay button, wondering how she managed to fit that much emotion into 3 minutes and change.

If you're not familiar with Ricki Ayela yet, you're late to the party — but there’s still time to catch up before she blows up bigger than your group chat drama. Since her debut single “The Chase” dropped back in 2019, this Toronto-based powerhouse has been steadily carving her lane with emotionally charged, expertly crafted songs that hit like diary entries dressed in designer synths. Think raw, but polished. Vulnerable, but fierce. Your feelings, but with better lighting.

And “In Between”? It’s a masterclass in storytelling through sound.

From the opening lines, Ricki paints a world suspended in emotional limbo. The production is haunting and atmospheric, with subtle layers that feel like they’re echoing in from the edges of memory. There’s a tension to it — a kind of delicate storm — where every beat feels like it’s toeing the line between holding on and letting go. That’s the sweet spot she’s tapped into: the beautiful, terrifying in-between.

It’s the kind of song that makes you stare out of a window like you're in an A24 film, even if you're just riding the 501 streetcar in a hoodie and sweatpants. It’s moody, cinematic, and intimate in a way that feels both specific and universally relatable — like she reached inside your chest and wrote the song using pieces of your last heartbreak.

But none of this should come as a surprise.

Ricki is no rookie. She's a self-made, self-taught artist who’s been grinding since day one — learning guitar, vocal training, production, even getting behind the camera to direct her own music videos. That DIY energy shows in everything she does: there’s intention in every sound, a personal touch in every frame. She’s the kind of artist who doesn’t wait for doors to open — she builds her own house and throws a show in the living room.

Her numbers speak for themselves too — over 2.6 million Spotify streams, collaborative tracks with heavy-hitters like Tory Lanez, JRDN, Notifi, and mentorship from industry legend Jaylien Wesley (yes, that Jaylien — the genius behind Akon’s “Beautiful” and the literal beat drop in Britney and Will.i.am’s “Scream & Shout”).

But beyond the stats and accolades, what makes Ricki Ayela stand out is her vision. She doesn’t just write songs — she sculpts worlds. She invites you in, makes you feel at home, then gently opens the door to all the feelings you’ve been avoiding. And “In Between” is proof she’s leveling up in real time.

With whispers of a full-length LP on the horizon (rumored to chronicle the chaotic beauty of heartbreak), and a growing list of festival performances in the works (Canadian Music Week, anyone?), 2025 is looking like it’s got Ricki Ayela written all over it.

So, whether you’re heartbroken, healing, or just in your main character energy era — queue up “In Between.” Let it soundtrack your midnight walks, your early morning overthinking, your quiet moments of clarity.

Because Ricki didn’t just write another song. She gave us a scene, a feeling, a whole damn mood. And we’ll be living in it — unapologetically — until the next drop.

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