Riiver Brukes closes the chapter on a year-long sonic odyssey with Friends in Black — a haunting and heartfelt finale to her ten-track album Deja Vu. Released on June 24, 2025 — exactly one year after the passing of her drummer and friend, Ben Vezina — the song serves as both a tribute and a release. With gut-punch lyrics like “friends in black riding the last Cadillac” and “midnight tears behind locked doors,” this alt-pop ballad doesn’t just tug at your heartstrings — it tears them wide open.
Each track in the Deja Vu collection has peeled back layers of grief, hope, illusion, and memory, with Friends in Black standing as the emotional peak. From Heartland to Rainy Tuesday, Riiver Brukes has been building toward this moment — one filled with sorrow, grace, and a quiet strength that’s impossible to ignore.
Tied together by raw storytelling and cinematic visuals, this final single and its accompanying music video cement Riiver’s place as a rising voice in alt/indie-pop. Over 500,000 YouTube views prove the world is watching — and feeling — every word.
Stream Friends in Black now and join the journey that’s moved thousands.
Biography
Riiver Brukes has been making waves her way. Scottish born and currently Canadian, Riiver Brukes is a prime example of natural raw talent. Her unusual gritty and soulful voice brings a powerful edge to some amazing hook laden songs, and is influenced by a broad spectrum of genres and artists, but especially her passion for jazz and blues. Rising through a foundation built from various bands including pop band Cicero (#11 European Dance Charts), Edinburgh’s very own Riiver Brukes releases yes another killer song. Music that oozes nothing less than the attitude, character and soul of this Scottish Lassie.
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