Royal Blood, ‘Shiner In The Dark’ – Single Review ★★★☆☆

‘Shiner In The Dark’ by Royal Blood – Single Rating: 3/5 ★★★☆☆

Royal Blood, the British rock duo make a roaring return with their latest single, ‘Shiner In The Dark’. This track, first debuted in a live show in Brighton, is a demonstration of their signature style and unapologetic intensity.

‘Shiner In The Dark’ kicks off with a crunchy, attention-grabbing guitar riff that rattles the speakers, hinting at a departure from their usual formula. However, fans need not worry, as the track soon transforms into the trademark Royal Blood sound – an avalanche that could fill stadiums.

Lyrically, the song dips into the themes of resilience and inner strength. The opening verse paints a vivid picture of a “man made of stone” battling his demons, and the chorus drives home the message with lines like “Shadows on the back seat, taint the glass” and “Assault and battery, black and blue.” It’s a raw, unfiltered portrayal of the scars we carry, both visible and hidden.

While ‘Shiner In The Dark’ may not achieve the instant catchiness of some of their previous hits, such as ‘Figure It Out’ or ‘Out of the Black’, it carves out its own unique space in the Royal Blood repertoire. The track’s strength lies in its relentless energy. Also, the unmistakable chemistry between Mike Kerr’s vocals and bass work, and Ben Thatcher’s thunderous drumming.

Royal Blood has consistently pushed the boundaries of modern garage rock and blues rock since their formation in 2012. “Shiner In The Dark” continues this tradition, showing their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. But, is it quite as good as some of their earlier hits? Not quite, but it’s still one to get excited about.

You can take a listen below.