R5: A Fresh Chapter on Heart Made Up On You
In Canada and the United States, the journey of R5 has grown from family-backed beginnings into a band that blends pop energy with a tougher, guitar-forward edge. The Lynch siblings Riker, Ross, Rocky and Rydel, along with Ellington Ratliff, have matured into confident performers who bring a spirited, live wire presence to every stage.
Three years after their breakout on Family Channel, the group has toured the world, released the Heart Made Up On You EP, and unveiled a music video that signals a new direction. The EP marks a shift away from pure pop toward a stronger rock influence, leaning into guitar textures and heavier drums. It serves as a bridge toward a fuller-length project and demonstrates a band unafraid to push beyond their earlier boundaries, inviting both longtime followers and new listeners to hear the growth firsthand.
During a Toronto stop, the band spoke about life on the road and the making of the Heart Made Up On You video. They described long travel days, tight rehearsal windows, and audiences that ignite energy in each city. The conversations also touched on collaborating with fresh producers and writers, which helped broaden their sonic palette while keeping a thread of identity intact.
Rydel described the studio sessions as a fun ride, and Ross noted the value of working with new collaborators who injected a fresh energy into the tracks. Riker highlighted how the process brought back a guitar-led sensibility and a drum-forward foundation that reminded them of their rock roots. The group stressed the importance of experimentation and letting discoveries shape the songs into something that feels authentically theirs.
When looking at favorites from the EP, Rydel pointed to Easy Love for its immediate impact. Riker felt a strong connection to Stay With Me, while Things Are Looking Up also earned admiration. Ross appreciated Stay With Me as a listening track and Easy Love for its live potential, with Heart Made Up On You emerging as a powerful moment to perform. Rocky admitted a soft spot for Heart Made Up On You, and Ratliff shared the sense that Stay With Me resonates with fans on tour.
The Heart Made Up On You video was conceived as more of a short film than a traditional clip. It was shot under intense heat, testing comfort and endurance, yet the result is a storytelling piece that invites viewers into a narrative rather than merely showcasing performance. The project reflects the band’s preference for cinematic, story-driven visuals that feel as immersive as the music itself.
On this tour, bus hopping has become a running motif. Each bus offers a different vibe, from a calm space for reading and reflection to a lively, late-night setup for a party, and even a crew bus that feels like a small cinema. The constant moving between buses creates a dynamic microcosm of the tour and underscores how camaraderie on the road feeds the performances themselves.
Favorite travel memories include Copenhagen, Denmark, and the city of Toronto, with Montreal also making a memorable impression. The band notes Canada’s cities for their passionate crowds and diverse scenes, which keep the mood electric and the itinerary full of unexpected moments. Those experiences help fuel the creative energy that translates into the stage show and studio sessions alike.
Thanks are extended to the fans and peers who have supported the band as they broaden their sound and sharpen their live performances. The journey continues with ongoing material in the works and the adrenaline of touring fueling each show. The energy on stage remains the central force behind R5, propelling them toward new music and live moments that feel truly earned.