Album Review: Royale Lynn – Black Magic (Epitaph Records)

‘Black Magic’ is the new album from alt-metal influenced, hard-rock artist, Royale Lynn. Set for release on 27th June via Epitaph Records, the album sees the genre-blurring artist wear her heart on her sleeve, exploring mental health and her own personal battles through a unique lens.

An appealing alternative metal and rock album, while Black Magic isn’t particularly inventive, it does deliver anthem after anthem and showcases all the best bits of Royale Lynn’s sound. A sound that is dominated by the vocals, but for good reason as the electrifying artist is such an amazing singer. It’s an album with bite, an album with heart and soul, an album liable to fill a dance floor, and an album to reflect on. Trust me, even if you’re the type that sneers at the pop sensibilities of this record, you will find this one hell of an infectious listen.

I’m a fan. Let’s get that out of the way right away. Even if some of what I hear feels overly familiar and isn’t the most imaginative. There are twelve tracks here, and the majority are bangers. In fact, there are several times when I’d say Royale Lynn is downright untouchable, especially as every single track relates to mental health is some way. She doesn’t just wear her heart on her sleeve, she’s outright baring her soul, and it’s the kind of relatable honesty that so many people can connect too.

That all of that just so happens to be wrapped up in anthemic fashion just makes it all the more potent.

Splitting the record in half, out of the first six tracks I found myself mostly enamoured by the singalong chorus of E.V.I.L., the dramatic melody of the title track, and the huge sounding PANDORA’S BOX. There’s variety here, and while it should go without saying, I feel I must remind you that the vocals are stunning across every single track. You don’t have to like what Royale Lynn creates, but only a fool would debate that.

The second half of the record is where it’s at, personally though. Out of the last six tracks, I found myself enamoured with even more. WHEN WE DIE has heavy riffs and another kickass chorus, although the following WTCH’s chorus might be the album’s best. Then there is DARK MODE and that ‘big chant’ moment, DEATH WISH’s heavy sound that features the iconic Danny Worsnop (Asking Alexandria / We Are Harlot), and the mightily accessible finale of BATTLEGROUND.

Honestly, I’ll be amazed if Royale Lynn isn’t one of the biggest alternative artists in the world in the next couple of years. Every track on this album is a single, and every track will have widespread appeal. It’s what has made Royale Lynn so successful so far and that’s not going to change in the slightest going forward. Everything about her screams ‘icon’ and all the proof anyone needs of that is on this album.

Royale Lynn – Black Magic Track Listing:

1. GREED
2. E.V.I.L.
3. BLACK MAGIC
4. SACRIFICE
5. PANDORA’S BOX
6. DRAGON
7. WHEN WE DIE
8. WTCH
9. DARK MODE
10. INSIDE OUT
11. DEATH WISH (feat. Danny Worsnop)
12. BATTLEGROUND

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