Evann McIntosh Turns Up the Volume on Vulnerability With “Free Ride”

Evann McIntosh is back with a new single that feels like pure motion — top down, music blasting, wind in your hair. “Free Ride” captures the restless, glowing chaos of youth: late-night drives, inside jokes, and that unspoken magic that happens when you’re just living. Produced by Abe Rounds (Joni Mitchell, Meshell Ndegeocello, Blake Mills), the track drops ahead of Evann’s November tour dates supporting John Splithoff across California.

An Army brat turned Midwestern teen dropout, a TikTok breakout, and a non-binary artist who refuses to be boxed in, Evann has become a voice for a generation growing up in flux. Their fans don’t just love the sound; they connect to the story, to the way Evann wears authenticity like armor, blending vulnerability with a cool, self-assured calm.

Built around a warm, intricate groove that nods to Madison Cunningham (who also features on the track), “Free Ride” balances raw emotion. Lyrics like “I’m always offered money for the gas in my tank / But I say the first ride is free and so I’ve never been paid / And that’s okay” tap into that beautiful mix of generosity, loneliness, and connection that defines being twenty-something and still figuring it all out.

“‘Free Ride’ was written about going to dorm parties, making friends, and being the only person with a car,” Evann shares. “It was born after I saw Madison Cunningham at Thalia Hall and spent a lot of time with Revealer. When I brought it into the studio, it was obvious who inspired the composition — and Abe thought it’d be cool to ask if she’d want to play on it. And she did.”

The single arrives with a dreamy, DIY-style music video shot around Chicago. Evann, in a striking blue moto suit, rides through the city with three friends — singing, laughing, and soaking up that golden-hour glow. It feels like the last day of school or the first day of freedom, reminding us that sometimes the best moments aren’t planned — they’re just shared.

At just 21, Evann McIntosh continues to shape their own lane in the alt-pop universe. Blending smooth R&B textures with indie, funk, and jazz flourishes, their sound is introspective yet inviting — a reflection of modern adolescence, gender fluidity, and creative freedom. From the viral hit “What Dreams Are Made Of” (now with over 60 million streams) to their cinematic single “Blue Movie Magic,” Evann’s artistry continues to evolve, unfiltered and honest.