Riconoflow - 'Essential'

Riconoflow’s new single ‘Essential’ is built around the simple idea that when the noise falls away, the things that matter most are usually the things that cannot be bought. But instead of turning that thought into something overly serious, the Brazil-born, Puerto Rico-based artist wraps it in buoyant production, easy confidence and a melodic hip-hop flow that keeps the track moving.

‘Essential’ sits comfortably between hip-hop and electronic pop, with house-leaning energy underneath the verses and enough rhythmic lift to keep the song feeling open and celebratory. There's a touch of Drake’s lighter, more percussive material in the groove, but his use of both English and Portuguese gives the track its own sense of identity.

The writing is also equally direct. Instead of building around grand statements, he focuses on self-worth, affection and the value of recognising what is genuinely important. The recurring idea that someone can be more than simply “essential” gives the track a romantic edge without turning it into a conventional love song.

There's also a natural quality to the delivery that comes from his own writing process. He creates while recording rather than drafting lyrics beforehand, and ‘Essential’ carries some of that immediacy. The performance feels conversational, loose and assured, which helps the more reflective lines land without interrupting the song’s energy.

Within the wider Disruptive Beauty project, the track makes sense as another statement about authenticity and forward motion. Riconoflow is increasingly comfortable combining feel-good production with themes of self-belief and emotional clarity, rather than treating those ideas as opposites.

Warm, rhythmic and confident, it's another solid step from Riconoflow, and one that shows how effectively he can balance romance, self-assurance and club-friendly momentum within the same track.