Recommended Tracks: “Killer,” “California Weather,” “A Thousand Days”
Artists You Might Like: blink-182, All Time Low, As It Is
Nostalgic. Youthful. Anthemic. Singable. These are just a few words that come to mind whenever I hear a Royals song. The Southampton pop-punkers know the formula for high-energy, infectious music, whether they are giving us a rockin’ version of Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” or firing us up with projects like their 2021 EP, A Spark to Ignite. Naturally, the band has tweaked their formula with each release, finding new and exciting ways to be royal. Their creativity only gets stronger, and it’s at its strongest on the band’s debut album, High Stakes & Heartaches. Here, Royals have stepped up their experimentation, resulting in songs that push them into lofty new territory. With this album, they have never been more ready for such high-stakes and such heartache.
On High Stakes & Heartaches, Royals treat us to a new style that shows their creative and adventurous side. There’s “Spinning Out” and “Killer,” two of the first singles that Royals released from the album. They give us one of their most confrontational songs with “Spinning Out,” as they call out the injustices and shady operations that are going on in society. And with added screamy vocals from bassist Tom Guildford, they get their message across. With “Killer,” Royals showcase their production skills and their strong attention to detail. It’s a track that mixes their pop-punk roots with sleek and modern elements, providing a cool contrast between old and new. Meanwhile, “Break Me” leans into heavier influences to bring a maturity to the project. Until now, Royals have released songs in major keys, so they took a chance with “Break Me” by setting it in a minor key. This pays off, as the minor key provides the right amount of vulnerability and emotional depth to the song, which is needed when singing about someone who is “laughing as it all burns down.” But for every villain, there is always a hero, and that is the focus on “A Thousand Days.” Here, Royals explore an unconditional, devoted type of love. It’s their first fully original acoustic track, allowing their songwriting skills to shine. They give us pure poetry in lines like, “But I’ll always be here / Like the heartbeat in your chest / I won’t let you fall just yet / I’d spend a thousand days / To make a minute feel okay,” making it a winner in any romantic setting.
For those who want to bask in the sounds of classic Royals, the band gives us songs to appease. On “Talk About It,” they tap into an angst, a hurt, and a feistiness that fans have come to recognize in their music. This one is definitely for those who feel like every move they make in a relationship is an issue, so those who relate are more than welcome to sing their hearts out to lines like, “Keep going on and on, you never let things go / The last word is all you want / You’re the first to let me know that I’m always wrong.” These feelings come through again on “End of Us,” which is more of a traditional break-up song. While there’s always a peace in just walking away, it never comes easy. All the while, the big choruses, driving guitars, and challenging lines like, “How does it feel to be alone? / Everyone can see you’re cynical,” scream timeless Royals. It’s a bold song, but that boldness turns to pity and self-reflection on “Can’t Let Go.” The mood is emo and mild, as is usually the case when thinking about an ex. Sometimes, it’s just hard to let go, but it can be done.
There are a lot of fun-loving, feel-good moments on High Stakes & Heartaches, adding some bright hues to the album. Royals bring the funk on “Fever,” using guitar, synth, and the wonderful saxophone stylings of Gabi Rose. You don’t know whether to listen to the lyrics or get lost in the rhythms on this one, but it’s all good—just let that fever burn! The fever heats right up on “Good For Me,” which is a nostalgic love song for the early 2000s pop-punk fans. Throughout the song, and with vocals from Sammy Clifford, Royals play out an emo love fantasy, complete with lines like, “I’ve seen her ‘round town in that Offspring shirt / Know she’s got big plans to travel the world / Pale skin, tattoos, oh they’re driving me mad / Gotta find a way to tell her that I want her bad.” And when the time is right, a “Getaway” might be necessary, which Royals tell us on this anthemic song. It has an optimistic, can-do kind of spirit, bringing the concept of a “getaway” to the forefront. If you want to “leave this town behind” and are busy “searching for direction,” get out there and find something new. But, if you wish to go back in time, “California Weather” will enable you to do so. It’s natural to miss a younger version of yourself, so Royals made this as a love song to their youth. It’s filled with desire, which only amplifies with the glitchy vocals, synth, skittering beats, and club energy. It serves as a kind of oasis as well, a place where all those “late night long drives” end up.
At this point, it’s obvious that High Stakes & Heartaches is Royals at the next level of their game. They make this clear for fans by placing songs at the beginning and end of the album that capture where they are now. On “All In,” the opening track, Royals tells us, “Nothing’s gonna stop us now / Because it’s our time / We’ll never fade into the crowd.” It really sets the tone for this new era, and it invites everyone along for the ride. Meanwhile, “Sombre Song,” which closes the album, cements Royals’ celebratory and defiant attitude. It is a great complement to “All In,” with lines like, “We don’t need a suit or a sombre song / This is right where we belong.” With that, Royals are here to stay, and they don’t want anyone to convince them otherwise.
You can listen to High Stakes & Heartaches here.
In March, Royals will be celebrating the release of High Stakes & Heartaches with two live shows. The first is in Leeds at The King Club on March 7. The second is at The Brook in Southampton on March 14. You can find tickets and more info here.
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