On his latest single, Ryan Allen leans into his shoegaze side — but not to a degree that will alienate fans of his power pop side. "Used Copy of Monster" and "Always, Now" are songs Allen had been sitting on for a while. Given that his mind has been largely on what's going on in the world today, he initially wasn't sure now was the right time to release these songs that aren't specifically about the current state of affairs. But as he considered the matter further, he realized that these songs are indeed relevant in the light of this particular moment.
The mid-tempo rocker "Used Copy of Monster" is an ode to the most sold-back album in REM's catalog. Fittingly, it's a guitar-heavy track. Monster may be a lot of people's least-favorite REM album, but it's Allen's personal favorite. And this song which reflects on a divisive release from a legendary band ultimately becomes a celebration of doing your own thing and liking what you like — no matter how uncool or unpopular it may be. "You do you" is a powerful message at a time when so many people curate carefully calculated and ultimately disingenuous versions of themselves in search of likes and affirmation. I have to admit I've always had a soft spot for Monster. It seemed like everyone had been begging REM to make another guitar-driven record. And then when they finally did, people were like, "Why did you have to change your sound?" They never understood the frequency. Kudos to REM for making their rock record when they felt like making their rock record. And those of you who do take a chance on a used copy of Monster will probably discover that it's a lot better than you remembered!
On the digital B-side, "Always, Now" is a softer, more melancholy track that again highlights Allen's talent for writing songs that are about one thing specifically but something else more broadly. On a personal level, Allen wrote this song for his ex-wife. It's about the relationship the two of them have as co-parents who, in spite of their differences, will always be bonded because they're "sharing the same person." That's a powerfully relatable sentiment in a world where co-parenting is a very common thing. And this song is not about two people merely being "civil" for the sake of their child. It's about seeking a friendship based on kindness, respect, and a shared history — even if you're seemingly from "different planets." On a more universal level, Allen wrote this song about the idea of having someone's back no matter what. It's easy to say you're in a person's corner, but being willing to remain committed to that even when circumstances change is the mark of laudable human. Allen considers "Always, Now" one of his songs that he's the most proud of, and I can understand why. This must have been a difficult subject to put into words — especially given that he had previously aired his grievances over this very divorce on record and held nothing back. So for him to be in this head space today is a remarkable progression. The world is full of happy love songs, sad love songs, and angry love songs. But there are not many songs quite like this that explore rebuilding care and connection in the aftermath of a split.
With "Used Copy of Monster" and "Always, Now," Ryan Allen has given us two songs with messages that resonate deeply in 2026. It's more important than ever to embrace your identity. And it's more important than ever for people to support each other. For musical inspiration, Allen drew specifically from 1990s shoegaze. He dug into his love for Swervedriver, Hum, Slowdive, and early Smashing Pumpkins as he wrote these songs. But like any other time when he's acknowledging a particular sub-set of his influences, it still just comes out sounding like Ryan Allen. From the first time I heard him on record, I was enamored because I instantly knew who he was. Over the years, he has further cultivated his own style and voice. If you didn't know these songs were supposed to be shoegazey, you could still appreciate them as splendid modern-day indie pop-rock songs.
There's an obvious joke here about how it seems like a major crisis in the world if Ryan Allen goes seven months without releasing music. But perhaps the timing of this single turned out to be fortuitous. Now, as pre-election hysteria amps up all that is ugly, divisive, and awful in America, the positive energy of these two songs is exactly the antidote we need. If you're a Ryan Allen fan, you will not be disappointed.
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