Ryan Oakes says his new album, ‘Scary Stories After Dark’, finally brings together his hip-hop, pop-punk and alternative-rock influences in a cohesive, darkly cinematic sound. The album explores trauma, isolation, dissociation, burnout and the pressures of public life, while marking a more autobiographical and confident stage in his career.

After releasing more than 300 songs, earning over half a billion streams and following 2025’s hip-hop-focused ‘OPUS’, Oakes worked closely with longtime friend and producer Jayden Seeley. Their collaboration helped him prioritise memorable choruses over proving himself as a rapper, while the album’s horror-inspired concept provided a framework for combining booming 808s, sharp hooks, heavy guitars and playful spooky imagery.