PALAYE ROYALE have been teasing their 3rd studio album, THE BASTARDS since last year. Surrounded by a utopian world created by the band, THE BASTARDS is set in a place that is a reflection of their own lives, but in a mythological sense.
Speaking on this special world he and his brothers have created, Emerson Barrett adds “It takes place around the island of Obsidian and it’s set in 1888. In short, it’s a world that started off with intentions where the island encouraged free thinkers and artists to exist and, as everything does in life, eventually it becomes this political power and evil toxicity that comes with everything. To remain a true individual in the society, you must wear a gas mask.”
Musically, the album is an enormous step-up for the band. It is, in turn, dark, lush, angry, vulnerable, caustic and warm. From the grandiose Bond-theme-esque ‘Tonight Is The Night I Die’, to the darkly jarring ‘Anxiety’, from the quietly heartbreaking refrain of ‘Lonely’ and the massive fuzzed up, distorted guitars of ‘Nightmares (Coming Down)’, THE BASTARDS demonstrates just how far the band have expanded their writing and musical dexterity, rounding out their already accomplished arson with flourishes of electronics, metal beat-downs, drum n bass beats and haunting string arrangements. There are singles on the album, luminous highlights, but it’s also a piece of work that works beautifully when listened to as a whole.
Lyrically, the album addresses a number of important issues, prevalent to today’s youth – struggles with mental health, the gun violence epidemic, substance use as a means to escape a difficult reality and parental abandonment all play a part in the album’s rich lyrical tapestry. Speaking on the band’s refreshingly honest and open approach to writing on the new album, Remington adds
“We need a little honesty and a little truth. The world is getting so tainted by everyone trying to be so fucking perfect and so goddamn PG and trying to walk this line of not trying to offend anyone. People need to be themselves, just for 20 minutes at least.”
In short, THE BASTARDS is an album that demands your attention. The world needs PALAYE ROYALE right now and PALAYE ROYALE have delivered in spades.
Available May 29th everywhere.
