Review by Shannon Shumaker
Llarold, the new EP from Toronto punk rock band, Rawls Royce might be short, clocking in at only fifteen minutes in length, but it’s sure hits hard. Upbeat, in your face, gritty and most importantly, catchy as fuck, Llarold is filled to the brim with the quintessential punk sound that is sorely missing in 2020.
Rawls Royce wear their hearts on their sleeves, making Llarold understandably a bit political – especially the second track, “Elon (Take Me Home)” – but the EP also has a personal touch that listeners will be able to relate with. The opening track, “Woke, Stoke & Broke” is an explosive intro track, complete with gang vocals, a strong bass line and a chorus that’ll get stuck in your head. Meanwhile “Elon (Take Me Home)” is the perfect song for a disenchanted millennial with lines like, “Elon take me home / Save me from this melting globe / Elon take me home / Send me to your Martian dome.” Sonically, “Elon (Take Me Home)” is one of the strongest songs on the album as well, with multiple time changes and perfect vocal harmonies.
The second half of the EP slows things down as much as a band like Rawls Royce can slow down, providing quite a bit of diversity by the time it comes to an end. “You Can’t Play Chel to Chelsea Wolfe” is easily the EP’s most vulnerable track, touching on the loss of a friend, but sonically, it’s still punchy – a perfect balance. Then comes the closing track, “Don’t Let Me Go,” which brings things to a perfect close on a slower, more somber note.
Each track on Llarold is strong for its own reason, be it smart songwriting, witty lyricism or energetic instrumentals that’ll make you want to get up and move. Rawls Royce have certainly honed in on their sound with their third EP, leaving the listener longing for more and hitting play again the second it comes to an end.
LISTEN TO: “Woke Stoked and Broke”
STAY CONNECTED WITH RAWLS ROYCE: https://www.facebook.com/rawlsroyceband/