Ric Wilson Releases New Album America Runs On Disco

Chicago-based genre-defying artist Ric Wilson is back with AMERICA RUNS ON DISCO, his first solo project in seven years. Known as the self-proclaimed “king of Gen Z funk,” Wilson continues his mission to make communal, dance-ready music that’s joyful, political, and rooted in Black radical tradition. The announcement arrives alongside his effervescent new single “Missin My Window” featuring Party Pupils, a shimmering disco track full of groove, soul, and late-night longing.

Wilson conceived AMERICA RUNS ON DISCO amid the noise of the 2024 U.S. election season, using dance music as a response to political instability, social burnout, and the everyday pressure to keep moving. “It’s communal music with an outsider’s spirit,” he explains. “Made to move to and move through whatever the body holds.” The EP offers snapshots of resilience and release, turning the dancefloor into both sanctuary and soapbox. Far from escapism, this is disco as defiance—still spinning under the weight of the world.

The new single, “Missin My Window,” showcases Wilson’s signature blend of playfulness and vulnerability. Over Party Pupils’ glossy production, Wilson reflects on missed connections with his trademark charm. “You ever get too caught up with work and come home and wanna make some love to your lover but they are asleep? Hahaha, this song is about that experience,” he shares. “It’s always your fault, beloved.” With a bouncing bassline and catchy chorus, Wilson and Party Pupils turn regret into a sweet, danceable lament. “This was the first session we did of many that came after,” Wilson adds. “We had been fans of each other for a while before linking up.”

The release is also accompanied by the return of Wilson’s AMERICA RUNS ON DISCO party, which debuted on New Year’s Eve 2024 at Lincoln Hall. The next iteration landed on June 19 at The Empty Bottle in Chicago and promised an immersive EP preview with DJ sets and special guests curated by Wilson himself. Additional tour stops are set for Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and San Diego, expanding the project’s footprint across the U.S.

Fresh off his collaborative EP CLUSTERFUNK with Chromeo and A-Trak and co-signs from CHAI, The Blessed Madonna, Yung Bae, and more, Wilson is stepping into a new era—one where the groove is liberation and the party is just getting started. AMERICA RUNS ON DISCO is a bold reminder that dance music isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the engine of a new movement.