It has been a while since the music scene has seen something as vocally unique and lyrically intriguing as Palaye Royale. This band started in 2008 but did not come out with a full-length album until “Boom Boom Room” in 2016 with Sumerian Records.
Luckily enough, people took the bait and only grew from there.
As of 2022, Palaye Royale has three studio albums with newest release “Fever Dream.” The album differs from their first project and demonstrates major growth, which could be because of the way the band has matured.
Album Highs
“Fever Dream” - 10/10
The rating given may seem jarring, but there is a specific reason that it has been earned, and it is mainly for the fact that this song is musically and lyrically comparable to My Chemical Romance’s iconic “Welcome to the Black Parade.” That is a bold statement, but look at the facts.
“Welcome to the Black Parade” is a musical masterpiece that goes through phases: the melodic ballad, the semi-fast rock section, and the magical marching drum beat. “Fever Dream” goes through similar phases. Lyrically, “Welcome to the Black Parade” is about death and the moments before it. Palaye Royale’s song differs slightly in the way that it is from the perspective of the loved one of a person dying and telling the person dying that it is okay to pass on so they don’t have to be in pain anymore.
Down to the five-minute run time, Palaye Royale’s and My Chemical Romance’s songs are eerily similar. Some might see that as a negative since it seems like they are copying but on the contrary. The way that Palaye Royale was able to replicate one of the most iconic songs of the century so far takes a lot of talent, and for that, they get major props.
Album Lows
“Paranoid” - 7/10
Lyrically, this song is highly relatable for those suffering from anxiety. It is about how someone is constantly doubting themselves and thinking they are not good enough. That is, unfortunately, something relatable to many people. Even though those thoughts in a person’s head are most of the time not true, it is still incredibly painful.
The qualm, however, is that the song is repetitive. On occasion, repetitiveness can add to the feeling of the song; this is not one of those times. Perhaps with multiple listens, someone might not care about the patterns and more about the substance.
Honorable Mentions
“Line It Up” - 9/10
“Oblivion” - 9/10
“No Love in LA” - 8/10
Overview
By far, this is the best alternative rock record of the year when it comes to lyrical substance. Of course, the dark tone behind them is not going to fit into everyone’s style, but at the very least, fans can jam out to the catchy hooks.
I would give “Fever Dream” an 8.6 out of 10.
