Walker & Royce's Time-Tested, Idiosyncratic Sound Expands in Sophomore Album, "No Big Deal"

The trajectory taken by Sam Walker and Gavin Royce has been outlined by rebel. Not lengthy after starting their partnership as Walker & Royce, the New York-based home music duo aimed to shake up the business by eschewing the no-nonsense undercurrents of the time to share a extra quirky, out-of-the-box sound.

Quickly sufficient, the whistles, wobbles and trills that accompanied their blaring basslines grew to become synonymous with the avant-garde productions cooked up by the pair. After partnering with the beloved Dirtybird Information, their notoriety elevated tremendously earlier than culminating within the launch of their debut album, 2017’s Self Assist.

All through the years, the tandem would proceed shaping the home music scene with their infectious beats, releasing hit information like “Dance with Me” (with Chris Lake), “Rave Grave” (with VNSSA) and their impeccable remix of Dom Dolla’s “San Frandisco.”

Nevertheless, after seven years and numerous bangers, Walker & Royce are lastly following up on their authentic physique of labor with their long-awaited sophomore album, No Large Deal.

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Sticking to their tried-and-true methodology, No Large Deal places the producers’ idiosyncratic sound entrance and middle. From starting to finish, the undertaking includes a assortment of dancefloor-ready heaters highlighting the eccentricity that’s the Walker & Royce model.

Instantly upon enjoying the 10-track album, your senses are woke up. Because the opener “Let’s Reside It Up” builds, its vocalist, Hurt Franklin, reminds us of our mortality and eagerly urges us to undertake the mantra behind its title earlier than delving straight right into a signature, thumping Walker & Royce bassline.

The report then dives right into a one-two-punch of brooding vocals supplied by Grammy-nominated vocalist Barry Bones. In “Fatalistic Groove,” Bones’ work alongside synth grooves harkens again to the early electro of the 80s. In distinction, his notes in “Low cost Thrills” float by as stabby melodies pierce via the combination.

Walker & Royce's Time-Tested, Idiosyncratic Sound Expands in Sophomore Album, "No Big Deal" — Walker & Royce.

Myles Heidenreich

Elsewhere on No Large Deal, we discover Wakler & Royce teaming up with longtime collaborator VNSSA to supply up yet one more pulsating banger, “I Do not Keep in mind.” In “Tha Tea,” it is all tea and all shade because the wompy, wobbly minimize presents up some classes in studying. As a result of studying is what? Elementary. (Thanks RuPaul).

Closing out the album are two tracks illustrative of the nonconforming journey that Walker & Royce proceed to forge. In “Cease Time,” the pair enlist Glass Petals and Elohim to concoct a boomerang of a music. Outfitted with a stellar chord development, it begins as a mushy, melodic piece earlier than turning right into a bass-heavy banger.

In the meantime, in “Did You Imply It” that includes ZOF, the boys discover themselves deep within the realm of drum & bass. Appearing as a clean touchdown to an in any other case turbulent run, the music could also be a touch of what is to return within the ever-evolving sounds of Walker & Royce.

No Large Deal is out now through Dirtybird Information. Take heed to the complete album beneath and discover it on streaming platforms right here.