Rialto

Formed in London in 1997 in the wake of Kinky Machine, Rialto marked the tail end of the Britpop era with an indie pop-rock songwriting approach featuring meticulously crafted melodies, expansive arrangements, a penchant for immediate choruses, and a tone often darker than the British context of the time might have suggested. Around Louis Eliot, Jonny Bull, and Julian Taylor, the group released several singles before their self-titled debut album Rialto in 1998, followed by Night on Earth in 2001. Their career was shaped by label changes at the time of the first album's release, as well as a mixed reception in the UK, while Rialto concurrently built a loyal following in Asia, notably in South Korea. In their songs, Rialto blended orchestrated pop, alternative rock, and the heritage of English songwriting, with tracks alternating between melodic elegance and disenchanting urban narratives. After a breakup in the early 2000s, Louis Eliot pursued a solo career and collaborated with other musicians, while some members remained active on stage and in the studio. Rialto reformed in 2023 to play live again, then announced Neon & Ghost Signs, slated for 2025, reviving the activity of a band that remained tied to a form of British pop that is concise, melodic, and slightly off-kilter.