Artist: Rroyce
Single: Karoshi
Genre: Synth Pop / Electro Pop / Wave Pop
Release Date: 17th September 2016
Label: KAYAL Records
Album Review
The trio from Dortmund, Germany, was founded in 2013. The band consists of Casi (vocals), Al (guitar) and Kay (keyboard). Inspired by the sound of the eighties RROYCE creates Synth-Pop music that sounds fresh and new but keeps the spirit of the eighties alive. The band, competing with 64 other fellow campaigners, won in 2013 the UnBaCo (Underground Band Contest), performed at the Wave Gotik Treffen and were supporting act for the CRUXSHADOWS in the Matrix Bochum. Furthermore, they won the price as ‘Best Gothic- Wave band’ in November and got the second place as ‘Best Electro-Pop band’. In the same month, they supported SUICIDE COMMANDO and CORVUS CORAX. The debut album ‘Dreams& Doubts& Fears’ was released in 2014. With further live performances at diverse festivals, as supporting act and solo shows the congenial band with its charming singer, RROYCE gathered quickly a solid fan base.
Karoshi describes a phenomena of the sudden death of workers in Japan because of complete exhaustion. In the eighties the awareness was raised by the media because of the accumulation of the number of deaths by heart attack or strokes and also suicide of middle- aged workers and managers. The Japanese Ministry of Labour started to compile statistics in 1987 and soon it was clear that no one can cope physically and psychologically with working more than 10 hours on six or even seven days a week. So this expression is the equivalent of the phenomena that we call Burn out syndrome. And this is in the main the leitmotif of the album. Also the artwork of the cover reflects this as you can see numerous empty cubicles, in depressing grey tones, as work places and only one occupied but this person is dead by a shot in his head. As being in jobs and also family persons the guys themselves know how stressful it is to manage the balancing act between job, family and music.
The album starts with a danceable track. In my opinion this song has the potential for an extended remix version and to be a dance floor filler in the clubs. The next song asks the questions if basic human needs of interaction is still relevant in these days when efficiency and temporal seem to be more important. ‘Siamese dreaming‘ stands out from the leitmotif as you could almost understand it as a love song. Also the following one could be interpreted this way though with sombre undertone as the ‘Pyroclastic flow’ is a deadly event. After all these contemplative and slower songs ‘Running with the sheep‘, ‘One two three four’ and ‘I like it when you lie’ finally are up-tempo songs that invite you to dance again. RROYCE actually states not to be a political band but with the last song of the album the guys show their colours as they detest all kind of homophobia and xenophobia.
In summery it can be said that it is a well-made Synth Pop album that it’s worth to listen to not only once. The singer Casi convinces throughout the whole album with good sonorous vocal qualities. Furthermore it should not go unmentioned that it was masterfully produced by Dirk Riegner, well known for his own projects SECRET DISCOVERY, ALICE 2 and Schattenherz and his close collaboration with bands like GUANO APES and IN STRICT CONFIDENCE as well as with PETER HEPPNER and many others.
Tracklist
01. The principle of grace
02. Who needs
03. (It smells like) war
04. The dying of your pride
05. Siamese dreaming
06. Pyroclastic flow
07. Running with the sheep
08. One two three four
09. I like it when you lie
10. You don’t belong here
Line-up
Casi - vocals
Al - guitar
Kay - keyboard
Website
http://www.rroyce.de / https://www.facebook.com/RROYCE.official
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 10
Total: 9 / 10
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