Album Review: Royel Otis - 'PRATTS & PAIN'
Much to the excitement of fans, Royel Otis release their eagerly awaited debut album ‘PRATTS & PAIN’ after drumming up a great deal of excitement in the past few years.
The Sydney indie duo have really started to kick on in the music world of late. Perhaps most notable of their recent exploits is their phenomenal cover of the song-of-the-moment, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ for Triple J’s ‘Like A Version’. The eyes that are on the band at present are countless, and for good reason. The quality that they possess seems to be infinite, and their debut album ‘PRATTS & PAIN’ is the ultimate display of this.
Kicking things off is ‘Adored’, which is one that listeners will be familiar with by now, with the track being released last year. It feels to have been the perfect decision to place it first on the duo’s debut album. It truly is a great reflection of what we’ve come to know and love from Royel Otis. The track is fast paced, driven by their iconic blend of jangly indie guitar riffs and cathartic drums.
There’s no let up early on, with the record flowing straight into fan-favourite ‘Fried Rice’. This one plunges into the instantly recognisable guitar riff. The track really needs no further explanation, most are familiar with it by now, with its effortlessly catchy choruses and stunning riffs. The track feels to have been made specifically for live settings, and fans of the outfit will look forward to hearing it, alongside other new material, when Royel Otis take to the tour bus with their music.
The first taste of brand-new music comes in the form of ‘Foam’. This one sees lead singer Otis Pavlovic take centre stage, with his vocals being backed beautifully by a groovy bass line. His voice is instantly recognisable, and immediately commands attention. His unique style makes for a really captivating sound that feels so fresh. As the track progresses, the brilliant guitar of Royel Maddell is introduced, this time filled with a chorus effect which gives the track that real indie sound. The song’s choruses are infectious, with the front man singing the incredibly catchy: “Keep my name out your mouth, I could burn your life to the ground, just to hear the sound of you crying”. Such sinister words are sang with such elegance, and the music really makes for an upbeat sound, in contrast to the lyrics. It’s brilliant.
Fans were, of course, curious regarding the origins of the title of the duo’s debut. Pratts & Payne is a South London pub, which played a vital role in the production process of the record. The duo would utilise the pub to both finish lyrics and sink drinks, leading them to pay homage to it when it came to naming their initial studio album.
On the process of writing, the duo have often spoken of the fact that it’s a joint effort, likening proceedings to a tennis match, with them saying: “It’s a doubles match and we’re on the same side playing against a very good brick wall.”
Their joint work has resulted in a stunning debut, and the pair seem to complement one another sonically throughout the body of work. One track which displays their brilliant cohesion is ‘Molly’. This one differs from the sound that we’ve come to expect from Royel Otis. It’s slower in pace, and far more suspenseful. The slow, repeated guitar riff is matched by a haunting vocal display which is enough to send shivers down the spine of listeners. It feels to be an incredibly thought out piece of music. As it progresses, suspense builds at a steady rate, generating a feeling that anything could happen at any given moment. This one feels as thought it could be a fantastic addition to live shows, showing off a new side to the duo. This mysterious sound is gripping and will have listeners hooked right to the closing seconds.
Royel Otis have worked to get to this point since they formed in 2019. Their years of hard work have truly paid off, and they now have- under their belt- an outrageously strong first album.
The tail end of the record is just as brilliant as the rest. ‘Always Always’ is particularly poignant. Yet again, it shows off a slower and more atmospheric sound. As ever, the voice of Pavlovic is striking.
The album closes out with ‘Big Ciggie’, which is a funky, almost blues-y number. The lead guitar on this one makes the track a real head-bopper. It’s cool, it’s confident and it’s the ultimate way to close out a debut album.
‘PRATTS & PAIN’ is a phenomenal record. It seems impossible that the duo have come up with such a strong record as it’s their first. They really are set for greatness, and fans will be eager to hear their new material as they embark on a lengthy tour in 2024.
Words by Matthew Caslin
