CD REVIEW: ROYAL BLOOD – How Did We Get So Dark

Shane | 22 August 2017 | Reply

CD REVIEW: ROYAL BLOOD – How Did We Get So Dark
Warner Brothers
June 2017
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
7/10

Royal Blood are, like, so hot right now. In fact, the duo may be the hottest young rock band in the world.

Older fans might be a little bemused by this: the duo (singer/bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher) play cool, fuzzed up rock that takes its cues as much from Queens Of The Stone Age as from Kasabian – with the obvious White Stripes/Black Keys two-piece touchstones.

Cool: yes, but not exactly a brave new world. Rock neophytes obviously think this is Cooler Than Fuck, but after repeated listens we’re left with a sense that it’s all been done before.

Maybe we just don’t ‘get it’ – but with arena sized shows booked through next year, we can’t help but hope Royal Blood can live up to their hype. ‘Til then, How Did We Get So Dark is an okay album that’s well worth a few spins, and if you like it, there are hundreds of similar bands out there not enjoying the same glow of hype who are equally as good or better.