Songs For Sadness – The Latest in Palaye Royale

Never let them know your next move – Palaye Royale yet again switches up the game with grace, and beauty. 

Review by Emily “Emol” McCormack | January 24, 2024

The three piece band of brothers have been making music under the title Palaye Royale since 2012. While they have certainly experimented with their sound and have grown as musicians, the fashion-art rock stars have returned to their roots in their latest EP, Songs For Sadness.

This drop came only about a month after their previous EP, S-xtape, released in December 2023. That EP features both covers of other iconic rock projects, including Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” and Depeche Mode’s “Stripped,” and their original song “Dead To Me.” These songs take on an aggressive tone, following the trend of their 2020 album, The Bastards. 

With my personal playlists shifting towards the more metalcore/hard rock side in recent years, I for one found this outstanding. Lead singer Remington Leith’s vocals pair amazingly with the harder music. I feel like when some artists try to sing in a style that isn’t authentic to themselves, it falls flat– Leith’s vocals rise above. I have heard Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” on repeat the majority of my life- and I am quite pleased to report that Palaye’s version lives up to the original (though, you really never should compare). 

Seeing that the group was to release yet another EP so soon after the previous project, I assumed the new songs would continue with this aggressive sound– this was far from the truth!

Sounds For Sadness is a gorgeous work that really showcases Leith’s vocals on the opposite side of musical tone- one that aligns more so with their earlier, more laid back work like Boom Boom Room Side A (2016) and Side B (2018). 

The first single “umakemenotwannadie” showcases a story on the opposite side of the previous EP’s “Dead To Me.” This tells the story of Leith’s personal relationships, how the first one ended horribly, and this next one gives him a new perspective and purpose in life. 

This project explores even more of the boys’ personal lives, including their family dynamic growing up. “Don’t Cry” is a heartbreaking metaphor of the singer ending the life of the man who hurt them all, and told him to grow out of all the things that make him who he is today. 

Long time listeners, you may agree with me when I connect “Hello Sunshine” with their song “Ragdoll” from their 2016 album Boom Boom Room Side A. Perhaps it’s just because of some similarly structured lyrics, but I appreciate this call back nonetheless. 

Fun Fact – Songs For Sadness was produced by Matthew Pauling, who also produced iconic alternative works such as Future Hearts (All Time Low), Madness (Sleeping With Sirens), and California (Blink-182).*

If I can guess any one musical influence for this project, it would have to be dream-pop band Cigarettes After Sex. I have been researching possible legitimate connections between the two bands, because I can’t help but hear a tone along the lines of “Apocalypse” and “Heavenly” when listening to the new EP. Of course when a band switches up the direction of their sound, there’s going to be mixed opinions from audiences – while this may not be your cup of tea, I’m drinking it up. 

I have found that there are a number of artists who are starting to get on this path of releasing small projects and building up to larger ones. This is different from releasing singles prior to an album release- it’s strategic. Alternative electronic band Missio is compiling five different EP’s into a larger LP I Am Cinco later this year; Falling In Reverse has only released a series of singles post-Coming Home (2018), and continues to top the active rock charts; Saint Motel also compiled three EP’s into their 2021 album The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. It is interesting to see this ongoing direction for not just alternative artists, but for musicians who are navigating the music industry in the age of streaming. Palaye Royale seems to be  another example of seeing where this trend takes the industry from now on.

Regardless of how music is being distributed and when, I for one am thrilled to see Palaye release new music. They are such an incredible band to see live, and I can’t wait to see all they do in the near and distant future. (Though I’m really crossing my fingers for a tour announcement – and nearby!)

Where should you start your Palaye Royale listening experience?  If you are expecting hard music, I would suggest checking out the middle of their discography. If you are looking for a more laid-back, indie vibe, Palaye’s earliest work and latest EP is the way to go. 

 

*According to discogs.com.

Images from Amazon music.