The pursuit of success can look thrilling from a distance, yet every ambition carries an emotional price. On Vienna, underground artist Son of Dior explores that cost through a personal story shaped by desire, sacrifice, pleasure, and regret.
Released on August 21, 2026, the 12-track album presents Tony Byaruhanga’s most focused musical statement so far. With a runtime of 28 minutes and 52 seconds, Vienna moves quickly while giving its central story enough room to unfold.
Ambition, Love, and the Road to Vienna
Son of Dior spent seven months working on Vienna, drawing from experiences and emotions that felt close to his own journey. The album follows a character who gives up love in pursuit of money, fame, and pleasure. Those goals initially carry an attractive glow. As the story develops, however, regret begins to take hold.
That emotional progression gives the project a clear identity. Vienna becomes more than a geographical reference. It represents escape, aspiration, fantasy, and the imagined destination waiting at the end of sacrifice. The title also creates an elegant contrast with the album’s rougher musical textures, giving the project a sense of mystery.
The concise opening track, “Love IS A JOKE,” establishes the record’s wounded perspective in just 57 seconds. Its brief presence feels like a private thought that slips out before the artist can reconsider it. From there, “VALENTINA MNT” moves into darker territory with heavy bass pulses, brooding production, and haunting vocals. Its gothic-rap character introduces the shadowy atmosphere that returns throughout the project.
A Genre-Blending Tracklist Filled With Emotion
One of Vienna’s most appealing qualities is its willingness to move across several genre styles. Son of Dior blends gothic-rap, neo-soul rhythms, grunge-hop energy, and balladic songwriting without losing sight of the album’s emotional direction. Each shift reflects another stage in the artist’s struggle between ambition and connection.
“FALSO AMOR,” featuring Red Luna, brings neo-soul foundations into the project. Its rhythmic character recalls the warmth and storytelling spirit associated with African township music, adding movement and cultural texture. The collaboration allows the track to feel intimate and communal at once.
“HOW FUCKIN IRONIC” expands the collaborative side of the album through appearances from ELENA and OCHOA. At three minutes and 20 seconds, it has enough space for multiple voices and personalities to shape its mood. “YOU’RE THE WORST,” another collaboration with Red Luna, is the album’s longest song. Its extended runtime gives the emotional tension room to linger.
The record reaches one of its rawest moments on “ESCAPE TO VIENNA.” Distorted production and intense grunge-hop elements create a restless sound, capturing the urge to leave everything behind. “ERASE ME” takes a more reflective path. Serene passages gradually rise toward falsetto crescendos, turning the song into a vulnerable, soul-searching performance.
Even the 14-second “TOE TO TOE INTERLUDE” serves a purpose. It creates a quick transition into “TOE TO TOE,” featuring OPGBIG3, and keeps the album moving with urgency. The final track, “SEE YOU IN VIENNA,” closes the story with sweetness and simplicity. Its gentler character feels like a farewell shaped by everything that came before it.
About the Artist
Tony Byaruhanga performs under the name Son of Dior. He’s an underground artist who has spent six years developing his musical voice, sharpening his songwriting, and exploring sounds that fit his experiences. Tony believes his growth has become especially noticeable during the past three years, a period that has strengthened his confidence in the music he creates.
With Vienna, Son of Dior hopes to reach more listeners and bring greater visibility to a project he deeply believes in. His approach embraces emotional honesty, unusual genre combinations, and songs that can feel polished, wounded, abrasive, or tender. The album is currently available to stream on Spotify.
A Compelling Step Forward
Vienna captures the excitement of chasing a dream and the regret that can follow when love is left behind. Across 12 compact songs, Son of Dior turns that conflict into an expressive album filled with darkness, soul, distortion, and reflection.
For listeners drawn to underground artists with personal stories and adventurous production, Vienna offers an engaging introduction to Son of Dior’s evolving world. It also marks a meaningful new chapter in a musical journey that has already taken six years to build.
We had the privilege of interviewing Son of Dior. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Hi, thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
My name is Tony Byaruhanga, but I go by Son of Dior. I was born in Rwanda, Africa. Raised by my Mother, everyday was cheerful. I remember every day, she would have a big stereo radio playing music out loud for the neighborhood. Growing up, my neighbors were not rich; everyone was poor, but music brought joy to everyone. I grew up with a passion for drawing. It kept me happy, and it gained me some attention. I loved the attention because I was an only child, and the world was kind of lonely.
Please share your journey with our readers.
When I reached the age of 13, we moved to America to live with my dad, and everything changed. I didn’t know him that much, so accepting him in my life was different. For the next 4 years, it was hard; every picture felt rehearsed, every smile felt fake, and every second felt like a ticking countdown until I got kicked out. At 18, I decided to use the little money I had and bought an interface and microphone. I was in a family that I didn’t feel like I belonged to, so music and art became my escape. In an African household, saying that you want to pursue music is a crazy idea; become a doctor or engineer, but music is not the way. But that was my only escape; I could talk about my feelings and paint how I felt. Since I was born, I never felt like anyone cared about my feelings, so I had shut down. Even now as an adult, I’m still quiet, and music is the only way I can say how I feel, and people listen. So one day, I got kicked out. Slept on the streets for a couple of days, then I had to go back because they were the only people I knew in the whole country. I started sneaking out of the house at 3 in the morning to record my music outside, not to wake them up or get in trouble.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Honestly, I don’t know if I’m successful, but if I was to say one thing, consistency has helped me gain more people. Yes, I don’t have a lot of listeners, but I know that even if one person listens, I’m happy. I have to keep making music because I don’t have a shoulder to cry on. I’m surrounded by people, but no one knows how I feel or even cares, so music has become my best friend. I can pour all my tears and pain, and at the end of a song I could be happy.
Any message for our readers?
I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, and I don’t want you to feel alone. I make music so you don’t have to feel alone. Maybe this is my burden to carry so you don’t have to feel how I feel. I love each and every one of you, and I hope my music can bring you happiness.
Thank you so much for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!