How Did We Get So Dark?- Royal Blood Review

When I first tried to review this album, I wanted to do it song by song. But I realized that it wouldn't work, as Royal Blood's new pure rock album has a continuous sound not seen nowadays that deserves to be reviewed as the 34 minute fest of powerful drums and angry, distorted bass guitar it is.

The title track is a good introduction to this album exemplifying how Royal Blood can be good if they pour their emotions into a song without it feeling fake or wrecking it. But late in the song the singer is replaced by backup singers needlessly repeating the chorus while it should've given way to the guitar that really dominated it. The next song is Lights Out, the song that introduced me to Royal Blood and not one that wanted to make me a fan. It feels forced, and ends with too many "yeahs" that don't do the song any good. The third song, I Only Lie When I Love You, starts off badly with its childish chorus, but ends up well instrumentally and has some really good verses.

Then at the four slot, there's a pretty good song. She's Creeping has a distorted and almost synthesized guitar that carries the melody well, and an actual reason to be upset(having to conform to someone else's beliefs). With its alternating falsetto chorus, this song really should've been a single to promote the album. Look Like You Know starts off well, and sounds good, like Royal Blood is on a roll, with the rock not far behind. Where Are You Know? fades into the background, but Don't Tell sounds interesting, seeming like Royal Blood's take on Arctic Monkeys, with shimmering guitars, falsettos, and speedy choruses.

Then comes Hook, Line and Sinker, their second single and the song that did make me want to be a Royal Blood fan. This song is a real gem, with the guitar and drums really building the song up to the falsetto that both Mike Kerr and the guitar do at the same time, creating a great sound. The song only gets better from there, building off itself with varied vocals that seem to happen behind the muscular guitar. Hole In Your Heart seems almost like Twenty One Pilots' Fake You Out, with guitar replacing the synthesizer. Sleep kicks off the album with a bang, saying I don't want to sleep/ because I've had enough of the same old dreams" in a dark guitar-driven song that will definitely chase sleep away.

With this album, Royal Blood proved themselves as the kings of traditional but darker rock. But they showed with their duds(mostly a sides) that they can really fail spectacularly, but may also have some really good atmospheric songs and even some that fade into the background. So basically- ear rape or ear candy, a mixed bag. And that ear candy has made me into a Royal Blood fan.