With the tour final right around the corner for Royz, it’s a perfect time to review their latest maxi single RAVEN. The single came out March 21st and shows how both the past as well as moving forward is important. In the single they combine new sounds with their old style perfectly, letting the listener know they still can do both.
Tracklist:
01. RAVEN
02. Angry wuss Circus
03. SACRIFICE (only on type C)
03. PANDEMIC (only on type D)RAVEN was a hard single to create. The band felt a huge defeat after their last Tour Final at Zepp Divercity back in January. It was so big they almost decided to quit activities. However, they still didn’t feel like it was right to give up just yet, and thus RAVEN was born. The song tells about how they couldn’t find their way, but still want to move on, both with their lyrics, as well as their music. They show a new sound in the track, a little darker and harsher than their usual music. Yet not everything is new. As the track reaches the refrain, it starts to feel a little like their music from Tears. The nostalgia is brought further in a small break which they end with the all familiar riff from Marble Pallet.
Next up is Angry wuss Circus a song composed and written completely by Kuina himself. A small fun fact about this is that this is the very first song from Royz, that Kuina wrote lyrics for. The song is very upbeat, but heavy too with heavy lyrics questioning one’s existence. This track really shows they have new stuff in them as well. It’s far from their usual songs, but it definitely fits their image. It ends off nicely with a moment to headbang slowly before going to the next track.
SACRIFICE follows next. Another upbeat song that goes beyond the usual borders of Royz their music. It’s heavy as well, but on a different level as Angry Wuss Circus. It pumps you up, wanting to jump at the beat and yell with the lyrics. It shows yet again that they want to move forward, showing what more they have than their usual tracks.
Lastly is PANDEMIC. The track has the same vibe as RAVEN, starting off really heavy and different, but as the refrain starts off, it’s a really familiar sound also kind of like that from their Tears era. I think this is to show that they don’t just have new stuff to show. They want to look back at their past too, as it’s important to include that to be able to grow. Overall this track is as upbeat as the rest and really encourages you to jump around and wave your hands like you would during lives and it ends the single nicely.
I think RAVEN really was a step forward for Royz and definitely needed for them to grow. Lately, it felt they were searching for a new image, going away as far from their old stuff as they could, disregarding the past. RAVEN showed them that it wasn’t necessary to go away from the past, but embrace it.
Rating: 85/100
