Following two chart-topping, number one albums, Brighton rock duo Royal Blood is back with their latest album ‘Typhoons’.
Compiled of 11 tracks, ‘Typhoons’ destroys all preconceived notions of Royal Blood’s sound. With a mix of groovy riffs and danceable beats, the duo has delivered a fresh perspective on their ability to create range in a music genre that relies so much on the heavier stuff. An evolution in sound, Mike Kerr (bass/vocals) treats the listener to a mix of raw rock and soulful vocals and spiralling riffs. They are underpinned by Ben Thatcher’s (drums) thrilling beats and rhythmic tempo. This new album has been described by the duo as a conscious return to their roots. It’s a throwback and a tribute of sorts, to the days when they were influenced by the musical stylings of Daft Punk and Phillipe Zdar of Cassius. “We sort of stumbled on this sound, and it was immediately fun to play,” recalls Kerr, “That’s what sparked the creativity on the new album, the chasing of that feeling.”
‘Trouble’s Coming‘ introduces their new-fangled tone, originally released in the summer of 2020. Premiered as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record, this track is a punchy, riff-filled bop. It is scattered with synths and repetitive lyrics that will appeal to even the heaviest of rock fans. The album opens into a breathless, take-no-prisoners style with the fierce metallic grooves of ‘Who Needs Friends‘ hitting an early, visceral peak. Combining their traditional, aggressive bass lines and heavy beats with synth melodies makes the album one to dance to. Although, there are still a few tracks that allow you to have a bit of a headbang.
The lighter dance feel contrasts heavily to the darker lyrical theme, a reference to Kerr’s past inhibitions. He has stated that he was often so drunk at gigs, that he can’t even remember playing some of them. ‘Million & One‘ relies heavily on synths and Kerr’s deep bass line, depicting the lows of alcoholism. The lyrics depict the feeling of desperately needing your friends, especially when you are feeling low:
“All those nights I felt I was alone,
But you didn’t throw me away,
You made me believe I could change”,
‘Boilermaker‘ was produced by Josh Homme, frontman of Queens of the Stone Age. It explores Kerr’s issues with alcohol further, combining a relentlessly raw bass line with expressive lyrics: “Knew there would be trouble / With devil eyes and magic hands / I’m all mixed up“. One of the album’s biggest contrasts in sound is ‘Limbo’, with an introductory synth line reminiscent of your favourite 90’s dance track. The cacophony of sound that follows relapses into the band’s original sound — voracious riffs and delicious harmonies. ‘Limbo’ certainly has the listener begging for more, despite it being the longest track on the album.
A vulnerable reminder to live in the moment, final track ‘All We Have Is Now’ shares unguarded sentiments, giving the album — and Kerr’s struggles with alcoholism — a redemptive finale. Gone are the synths, replaced with the sound of a piano, complimented by Kerr’s mournful vocals: “All we have is now, so just let it go / Have no fear / ‘Cause you got me / And I got you”.
Typhoons is a truly surprising evolution in sound for Royal Blood, but promotes a promising outlook for future releases. The band stated that “On paper, it’s a small reinvention. But when you hear it, it sounds so fresh”. Here’s hoping we’ll see just how far their range can reach, and which Pokémon Eevee evolution Royal Blood decide to take on next…
