Making an impact globally, Magnus Riise doesn’t shy away from showcasing queer sex in a positive light, as well as shining a light on the science behind HIV medication and that Undetectable Equals Untransmittable which is also known as U=U, in this awesome music video for his addicting track “Until Tomorrow”. The song is taken from his debut EP of the same name, which was dropped this year, following the release of his debut single “From the Ground Up”.
Magnus Riise is an indie artist who fearlessly embraces his powerful voice, soaring pop sound, and unapologetic queer identity. Through his debut EP, “Until Tomorrow”, he takes listeners on a transformative musical journey of self-discovery, love, and resilience. Magnus Riise’s music and visual storytelling aim to empower others to embrace their authentic selves, challenging societal norms and celebrating diversity. With electrifying performances that have captivated audiences in cities like NYC, London, Oslo, Liverpool, and Denver, Magnus Riise’s tour continues to spread his message of love, acceptance, and inclusivity worldwide. Born and raised in Norway, Magnus Riise pursued his passion for music and theatre at the esteemed Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London before making his way to NYC to further his career. His acting credits span independent films and television programs in the US and Europe, including his notable role as a member of a fictional boyband in the award-winning television pilot Truth Slash Fiction. Now launching his solo career with the EP “Until Tomorrow”, Magnus Riise aspires to inspire audiences and foster a world where love, acceptance, and inclusivity reign supreme.
Talking about this track and music video, Magnus Riise said: “Queer sex on screen, while increasingly more common, is typically portrayed in a very heteronormative way. Through a patriarchal lens, we can recognize. Who is the man? Who is the woman? We have also become very desensitized to portrayals of what it means for a woman to pleasure a man. And portrayals of commonplace ways queer people and women receive pleasure are automatically considered dirtier and more scandalous. Through the emotional story of this video, it was important to me that the intimacy and sexual experience felt authentic in a way that people within the community could recognize and relate to.”
Music Video actor and Broadway star, Hernando Umana said: “This video fearlessly tackles the misconception and stigma surrounding HIV and undetectable individuals. It serves as a powerful reminder that love knows no bounds and that sexual health is a shared responsibility regardless of HIV status. Being a part of this music video signifies an opportunity to contribute to a movement that amplifies marginalized voices.”
Watch the music video to “Until Tomorrow” by Magnus Riise here (click the image below to open the link to the video):
Written by Magnus Riise and Mark Sanderlin, whilst it has been produced by Harry Burr, “Until Tomorrow” is an addicting mainstream pop track with elements of dance with incredible heart-felt emotional vocals from this rising artist. Soulful and gripping, Magnus Riise pulls on heartstrings in “Until Tomorrow” as he launches into lyrics about wanting his love interest to stay the night rather than leave straight after sex. In a world where hook-up apps are replacing dating apps or the latter are being used for hook-ups, as well as sex on the first date being the norm, it’s easy to not only emotionally detach from someone you meet but it can also be difficult to get them to stick around, and “Until Tomorrow” really brings that energy and feeling into the mix, bringing that specific moment and difficulty to the forefront. The lyrics also inspire the loneliness that one might feel, especially after a one-night stand and the love-interest has already left, something that a lot of people can relate to regardless of the one-night passionate experience, or not. Unrelentingly addictive, with undeniably heart-touching vocals, Magnus Riise is the LGBTQ+ rising star that is destined for incredible success.
As for the music video, which has been directed and produced by Vincent Cooper, we watch a queer sex-positive visual, first starting off with Magnus Riise and his love interest in bed, with the latter getting out of bed and putting on his clothes, presumably leaving after a hook-up, rather than staying the night. We then jump back in time to Magnus Riise and his love interest (played by Kinky Boots Broadway star, Hernando Umana), kissing and removing each other’s clothes, stripping right down. Rather than cutting to scenes afterwards, we watch the two hot guys get it on in all its glory (well almost), with plenty of thrusting, pounding, kissing, clenching, grinding, squeezing, panting, and nearly everything else. Magnus Riise and Hernando Umana really get all hot and into it, with some incredible scenes from the couch to the bedroom to the shower. There are also scenes that showcase rimming, versatility, and the use of poppers. Throughout, Magnus Riise continues to sing his song, and there was an intimacy coordinator on set – Amanda Spinella – who also acted as Assistant Director, amongst a variety of other individuals who helped to create, edit, produce, and bring this music video to life. In the ending scene of the music video, Magnus Riise can be seen in bed, just like at the start, only this time he is being cuddled by another guy, and as he finishes singing “Until Tomorrow”, he relaxes into the bed, snuggling up to this new love interest, this time played by Anthony Chatmon (known for Broadway shows Be More Chill and Hadestown), who we presume is the guy who finally stays until morning and we can only presume what their night together was like.
Brilliantly shot, incredibly sexy – well all three men are super hot so what did we expect? – and full of positivity throughout, Magnus Riise really showcases the gay community in a beautiful light, as well as showing that gay sex can be enjoyable and if you go in deeper (pun intended – we love it deep) then you also realise that Magnus Riise is also promoting HIV medication as Hernando Umana is an openly queer HIV positive man who is undetectable due to medication, and the underlying message of U=U is just as important in the LGBTQ+ community and wider due to the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.
HIV Plus Magazine wrote about this steamy music video saying: “Once you become undetectable, you then have a zero chance of transmitting HIV to a sexual partner, even without use of a condom. This globally-accepted scientific fact is known as ‘Undetectable Equals Untransmittable,’ or U=U, and it’s been incredibly sexually-liberating for many people living with HIV. And now queer Norwegian-American musician Magnus Riise is helping to bring attention to the U=U movement in his super-sexy new music video ‘Until Tomorrow’. While the song is not at all about HIV, the decision to cast Kinky Boots star Hernando Umana, who happens to be living with HIV, as his one-night lover in the video is significant. It shows Riise is aware of the science of U=U and wants to illustrate that people living with HIV can have just as fun, fulfilling, and spontaneous sex lives as anyone else.”
Stream the emotional track on Spotify here:
“Until Tomorrow”, by Magnus Riise, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms. The music video is his sophomore visual, after previously dropping the music video to his debut single “From the Ground Up”. Both tracks are taken from his five-track debut EP, also titled “Until Tomorrow”.
Watch the music video to “From The Ground Up” by Magnus Riise here:
Written by Kjetil Mørland, Mark Sanderlin, and Magnus Riise, whilst it was produced by Harry Burr, “From the Ground Up” is a powerful statement pop ballad track that has a rhythmic beat and subtle dance tones that progresses the melody of the track. Magnus Riise’s vocals are flawless in this track, full of emotion and character as he hones in on feelings of loneliness and wanting to be loved for who he is, for his authentic self – and that’s what we all want, someone to love us for us. Taken from the heart, this track is completely powerful and highly relatable to many, with the track being amplified by the chorus harmonies that only add even more passion and meaning to the song, itself. If we weren’t sure that Magnus Riise was on the path to superstardom before, we sure do now.
As for the music video, which has also been directed and produced by Vincent Cooper with Amanda Spinella again acting as the intimacy coordinator and assistant director as well as a producer, we watch opening scenes of Magnus Riise getting his cigarette lit by another guy before we see them kissing each other. The scene is intercut with Magnus Riise lying on some black cloth, shirtless but wearing an open black jacket with metal stud detailing with matching briefs and glittering thigh-high tights with suspenders and a garter belt all stoned, and a metal choker necklace completing the look. As the music video continues, we see Magnus Riise meeting different men, women and non-binary people in various scenes who all later appear in some form of undress on top of the black cloth alongside Magnus Riise, with various hands caressing, touching, and brushing each other, with this talented singer in the middle, singing the track. It has a Kylie Minogue “All The Lovers” feel to it, especially when the chorus harmonies hit and the visual changes from black to white, with the various people wearing even less than before while a white sheet wraps around them and replaces the black cloth. A variety of scenes follow, with the contrast between the black and white imagery, as well as suggestions of a few kinks here and there. The last few scenes sees Magnus Riise back at the party/club where he met everyone, wearing a beaded tank top and a fluffy pink coat, living life and dancing away, pushing aside all his demons, including loneliness, as he lets loose and dances the night away.
Relating well with the song, this music video is engaging, sexy, and really tackles loneliness, transforming “From the Ground Up” brilliantly. The incredible music video featured a variety of co-stars who were J. Nathaniel, Ken Haynes, Summer Apollo, Carter Caputi Campbell, Mariyea, Jonzu Jones, Jenny Mollet, Sandro Saints, and Christopher Tipps.
Stream Magnus Riise’s debut single here:
We can’t end our article without mentioning the incredible five-track debut EP, “Until Tomorrow”. All five tracks are superb and really allow Magnus Riise to show, to the world, the type of artist he truly is. “Still Here” starts the EP off with stripped-back piano chords, leading the listener into an incredible heartfelt ballad about a break-up and how he is still there whilst his ex isn’t and how he’s finding it difficult to move on. An absolutely gorgeous break-up song that is filled with so much emotion and effortlessly explains the feelings of being lost when that person is no longer around. As the song comes to an end, Magnus Riise goes for incredible pop-ballad vibes with a soaring and powerful lyric that brings chills.
Track number three is “For You”, which is a stripped-back pop piano ballad allowing Magnus Riise to show off his awesome voice that then leads into some flawless vocal notes that he delivers with such ease and a faultless falsetto, hitting those high notes that chill us to the bone. His incredible voice conveys this strength that he has in regards to the person he loves and as the track progresses, he gets stronger in every way, making us believe every single word – we wish we had a guy who would fight for us.
“Earthquake” is the fourth track of the five-track EP, which adds a more up-tempo vibe which is needed as we’re still recovering from the emotional “For You”. Telling a story of being stronger after a break-up and not letting it break him, Magnus Riise delivers an exceptional track with an acapella-like bridge and gorgeous imagery throughout. As the song continues, it becomes an upbeat but relaxed pop number that is a grower of a song which soon becomes addictive as that last chorus kicks in.
Stream “Until Tomorrow” EP on Spotify here:
“Until Tomorrow”, the debut EP from Magnus Riise, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms.