Album review: Palaye Royale – Death Or Glory

“It’s where chaos meets harmony and where we find ourselves struggling between ego and self-destruction,” is how Palaye Royale summarise the story behind Death Or Glory. The fifth record from the Las Vegas trio channels this imbalance through a mishmash of 12 tracks, spanning from the solemn to the sensual, and everything between.

Its opener and title-track is a bold statement of self-acceptance, seemingly a way of declaring “this is who we are, take it or leave it” as Remington Leith sings, ‘If you don’t like it, then go on and cancel me,’ in his raspy, growling voice. Further in, you’re taken through grand ballads and modern rock blazers on the tantalising mess of casual flings and situationships, a most prominently in Ache In My Heart’s breathy tones and hot’n’heavy lyrics.

Mister Devil is a slightly heavier offering, with racing guitar and screams making for a sinister belter that sees the band caving into unhealthy habits amid their leap of faith to death or glory. The album sets things up for greatness, and you await a grand conclusion or explosive goodbye, but Pretty Stranger leaves you with a more upbeat, pop-aligned track that perhaps would have made more sense further up its running order. A peculiar closer, it leaves you feeling slightly flat compared to other stronger and more impactful deliveries. Though still a vibey listen, it just feels a little out of place.

Death Or Glory is both sexy and savage, offering stories of heartache, the complexities of being a creative, and finding love in the 2020s. It has a showmanship charm, melding grand rock’n’roll soundscapes with pop harmonies and modernity. If you’re looking for a simple rock-forward listen, this one should satiate your desire. You'll just wish it went out with more of a bang.

Verdict: 3/5

For fans of: Måneskin, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco

Death Or Glory is released on August 30 via Sumerian