Drifting away from the electro synth pop of previous efforts, the Canadian trio channel dreamy, late-night disco, sugary euphoria, and darkness on their fourth full length LP.
In the four years between Royal Blues and Bodyparts, pop music went through quite a few changes -- and so did Dragonette: though they continued their creative partnership, Dan Kurtz and Martina Sorbara ended their romantic relationship. The group's many collaborations over the years have proved they're nothing if not versatile, and they approach late-2010s pop from several different angles on Royal Blues. "Let the Night Fall" is a fine example of breezy tropical pop, while "Secret Stash," a reunion with Dutch producer DJ Mike Mago, could be another EDM smash like their previous collaboration, "Outlines." Dragonette finds ways to transform their creative and personal changes into memorable pop music on Royal Blues. The way Sorbara dances on her troubles on "High Five" adds some sting to its cheekiness, while the layers to "Lost Teenagers"' nostalgia make it even more bittersweet. Elsewhere, more nuanced songs like the airy, surprisingly delicate title track and "Sweet Poison," which features a cameo from Dada and production by La+ch (as well as pointed lyrics like "We slam into each other like an accident"), point the way forward for the group. At times, Royal Blues' scatteredness makes it feel more like a compilation than Mixin to Thrill did, but its best moments suggest that this is a critical point in Dragonette's evolution.
| A1 | Let The Night Fall |
| A2 | Body 2 Body |
| A3 | Lonely Heart |
| A4 | Royal Blues |
| A5 | Sweet Poison |
| A6 | Secret Stash |
| B1 | Save My Neck |
| B2 | Darth Vader |
| B3 | High Five |
| B4 | Detonate |
| B5 | Love Can't Touch Me Now |
| B6 | Future Ghost |
