Ria Timkin returns with her cinematic new EP, ‘Favourite Child’, a five-track collection that explores the emotional highs and lows of pursuing a dream. Described as alt-pop “for the dreamers, the doers, and those caught in between”, the release brings together hypnotic vocals, pulsing synths and experimental production across a record that feels both ambitious and deeply personal.

Featuring the singles ‘Our Time’, ‘The Difference’ and latest release ‘Slow Mo’, the EP was recorded and co-produced with Tom Wilding at Wildingsounds in Bristol. Across its five tracks, Timkin moves between shimmering electro-pop, theatrical songwriting and darker, more atmospheric territory, creating a sound that feels distinctly cinematic while retaining a strong pop sensibility.

Discussing the release, Ria explains:

“Favourite Child EP is an exploration of the different facets of pursuing your dreams. I chose the title deliberately because it has an almost self-assured feel to it, but when you listen to the EP, you realise that ‘favourite child’ has a very different meaning in the context of these songs. It’s not about thinking you’re the favourite, but about fighting for your place in the world, desperately seeking approval, and ultimately coming into your own.

That duality runs throughout the whole EP, exploring the emotional highs and lows of chasing dreams. Each track captures a different point in that journey, culminating in a metaphorical battlefield. At its heart, the EP is about self-discovery, resilience and finding the courage to pursue what truly matters, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

I really loved creating this EP! It’s made me a better songwriter and gave me the opportunity, through working with Tom [Wilding], to bring to life the sound I’d always wanted to create.”

The EP opens with ‘Slow Mo’, a track that balances cinematic chorus lines with theatrical verses. Rich vocal harmonies sit alongside mid-noughties electro-pop influences, while the production gives the song an eerie, almost dreamlike quality.

‘The Difference’ follows, marking the song that sparked the beginning of Timkin’s journey. Free-flowing vocals and bright keys carry the track through its choruses, establishing a sense of optimism that contrasts with some of the darker themes explored elsewhere on the record.

At the centre of the EP sits the title track, ‘Favourite Child’. Church bells introduce the song before giving way to an emotive vocal performance, with the arrangement gradually expanding towards a euphoric closing sequence. It is a fitting centrepiece for a record concerned with identity, ambition and the search for a sense of belonging.

‘War Zone’ takes the EP into its most intense territory. 80s-inspired synths and hard-hitting lead lines combine with an arpeggiated hook, reflecting the record’s metaphorical battlefield and giving the project one of its most forceful moments.

Closing the EP, ‘Our Time’ brings the journey back to familiar ground. The track provides a celebratory finale and underlines the songwriting at the heart of Timkin’s work, bringing together the emotional and sonic threads that run throughout ‘Favourite Child’.

The EP’s journey began in Bristol, where Timkin initially developed the project using live looping before expanding her sound and finding her musical tribe. She is now joined by Jamie McNamee on bass, synth and backing vocals, Harry Whyte on drums and Joseph Toman on keys. Together, the band has spent almost two years touring across the island of Ireland, transforming what began as a solo venture into a full-band experience.

That evolution is set to continue on the road, with Timkin heading back to the UK for shows in Manchester, Bristol and London before dates in Dublin and Belfast in October.

The momentum around the project has already been building, with Timkin receiving support from BBC Introducing via Radio Ulster and being included in Hot Press’ ‘Hot for 2026’ list. With ‘Favourite Child’ now out, the next chapter of the project looks set to take its cinematic sound to an even wider audience.

Ria Timkin will release the official music video for ‘Favourite Child’ on October 2nd, with tour dates to follow.

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