KaileyMG

"Blows Against the Empire" is good but lacks some of the powerful blows I was promised. For better and for worse, it can really fade into the background during listening, setting a psychedelic, cheesy sci-fi vibe with a nice spirituality which adds some needed depth. The production has definitely aged this record and the vocals aren't my favorite, but there are some great sections that can put you in a trance and a few good lyrics that add that sense of spirituality. Worth a few ... read more

Young the Giant tries to return to their original sound but ends feeling a bit thin and misses some of their attitude. There's some good tracks here, but far from the band's best work.

Fronzoli is frantic yet relatable. It has a really unique sound that hits more than it misses, but the album does feel a little more washed out than you'd hope. This is the band's best singalong album with some really catchy songwriting and quirky, frustrated lyrics. PPC creates a great, almost edgy vibe with a bit more attitude than usual while still riding a really nice bounce between relaxing psychedelia and hard hitting rock. This album can get a bit more tired than the rest of ... read more

With Back to the Water Below, Royal Blood slows down to consider the evolution of their sound. While it takes some swings, it ultimately is the band's least consistent album. The production and songwriting remain strong here, but did feel a bit formulaic at moments. "Pull Me Through" stood out to me for its really interest out of tune piano sound and interesting rhythm. "Tell Me When It's Too Late" has this great mammoth thick and fuzzy riff, and many other tracks ... read more