On Chris Brown’s seventh studio album Royalty, we find our R&B protagonist extolling the virtues of a life defined by a desire to “drink and fuck” at the club, yet also wanting to be the best father possible for his newborn daughter in whose honor the release is named. Six years removed from one of the most harrowing and redefining moments of his career and life, Tappahannock, VA native Brown appears caught squarely in the midst of a “Peter Pan” vortex. At the young age of 26, Brown’s lived a life that makes him seem twice as old as he actually is. However, while living this lifestyle that demands one to appear forever young, he’s now facing grown up responsibilities, too. On Royalty, we get a mixed bag of sounds and vibes that reflect where Brown is as a man and artist. Though all individual performances are solid, the album lacks a cohesive direction and ultimately underwhelms.
Production on this album is where this release provides all of the head-scratching moments. There’s three schools of thought on this album that create a cohesive whole when contemplating the life of Chris Brown, but for an album listener creates a disjointed aural experience.
Tracks stolen straight out of the ‘80s playbook of ex-Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers, New Jack Swing innovator Teddy Riley and g-funk pioneer Charlie Wilson dominate Royalty. Boi-1da’s album opener “Back To Sleep” owes tremendous credit to Riley’s sparse, kicks and synths-based production for 1987 Keith Sweat hit “Make It Last Forever.” Sweat’s influence continues on lovelorn pleader “Who’s Gonna (NOBODY),” which features a hook taken from Sweat’s eponymous 1996 hit single. As well, “Zero” and “No Filter” pack in all of the aforementioned Rodgers’ chugging grooves from Chic’s “Good Times,” David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” into one production. By the time we get to “Picture Me Rollin’”’s 2Pac-aping lyrical content as well as producer Dr3amforever grabbing Uncle Charlie’s gangsta-fied vibe and blending it in, too.
As has become par for the course for Brown, there’s the presence of electrified EDM and turnt-up trap-aimed club fare, too. “Fine By Me” has a charging electric lead guitar, The Monsters and The Strangerz’s deep-set groove feeling akin to Galantis’ dance hit “Peanut Butter Jelly” and thus making it a populist floor filler. Brown saying “use me baby, any way you want” is pop-lite sex talk, too, which given the song’s ideal audience works.
In studying Brown as a vocalist, the trappier productions offer the best places to appreciate Brown’s exemplary vocal instrument as well as shaking our collective heads at his mind-bending lyrical proclamations. As was already mentioned, already-released single “Liquor” finds Brown cooing that he wants to “drink and fuck” over Cali The Producer’s swirling 808s. On album closer “Little More (Royalty),” he’s bold enough to say “even though I’m a man, girl, you’re making me feel like a baby, when you lay in my arms, I’ll take advantage of the moment.” In a song that name drops his infant daughter, Brown’s also discussing passionate lovemaking. While yes, in 1976 Stevie Wonder included what appeared to be the birth of his daughter Aisha on “Isn’t She Lovely.” However, “isn’t she lovely, made from love” isn’t the same as independently discussing making love and your newborn child on the same record. It’s a creepy stretch and actually does Brown no favors whatsoever.
In just over an hour, Chris Brown successfully showcases his life at the crossroads of staying forever young in the club or maturing into an adult who can be counted on to be a solid contributor to the growth of society. Still not quite ready to reduce the ratchet-mania and accept the responsibilities of being a father and more socially acceptable young man, the album misses more than it hits. When it closes by leaving the worst of images in listener’s heads and tastes in their mouths, it feels expected in the worst way. While showing progression here, Chris Brown still is quite far from being the best man and artist that he can be.
On Royalty, Chris Brown shows what happens when Peter Pan tries to grow up, but loves turning up in the club even more.
probably one of the WORST reviews I ever read…. how can having the current #1 album get a 2.5.
Spot on. all these commentors are 15..
whoever wrote this is drunk for rating this album a 2.5
Stick to reviewing Hip-Hop/Rap albums. In my opinion this review was shit. I give your review a 1/5
I thought Royalty was solid. The DX reviewers must either be on that good shit that’s fucking up your brains or you just don’t give a fuck about giving decent reviews anymore.
Chris Brown is trash. Actually the rating is higher than expected.
Dear Marcus,
Stop writing articles for DX. You are a horrible writer with ludicrous arguments that no one agrees with/understands.
Sincerely, The World
bullshit marcus
please disregard this review readers. .royalty is 5/5 a fuckin classic! some peeps are still butthurt emotional over that Rihanna controversy long time ago. .I don’t give a fuck!
@Cream. This is a solid album but some of yall are waaay too loose with the word “classic”. Calm down.
You cant criticize the reviewer like that and then call this album perfect… Far from..
This is a very concerning review by Mr. Downing in which he somehow see’s a sexual reference in the Chris Brown song “Little More (Royalty)” which is clearly about his love for his daughter. How do the words “when you lay in my arms, I’ll take advantage of the moment” suggest a sexual connotation? It sounds to me like he’s just talking about relishing holding his daughter. Mr. Dowling, what types of thoughts are you projecting into Chris Brown’s music? Pretty creepy! Perhaps you should try to understand Chris Brown’s life before you judge the music. He has made clear these songs are autobiographical, as the 6 video’s about temptation, trouble, and eventual redemption clearly illustrate that go along with the album. One can tell from the recent radio interviews he has given to promote the album that he has clearly matured. Chris Brown is brash, but he’s honest. And his creativity, work ethic, writing and production skills, visual concepts, generosity, versatility, video direction, dancing and stage productions are almost always on point and the man can sing anything well. Its time to start giving Chris Brown his due and stop judging him for something that happened when he was 19. Its become shrill.
Spot on.
Word @thisreviewiscreepy. the writer of this article is very bias.
I’m a Chris brown fan… even though this is not his best project, still the man deserves a lot of credit. No artist works as hard as he does. All these artists receiving props, such as Taylor Swift and Adele have somehow surpassed Brown, only because of their skin color.
Breezy is an artist in every sense of the word, pls tell me a mainstream artist that can sing, dance and paint? who? Justin Bieber?
Who? Ill wait….
I guess u have to be on the same wave length as cb to ge it. Not entirely feeling this one yet. I liked x better . Dunno maybe bcause i could relate to the lyrics.
-random
I should start a petition for you not to write reviews ANYMORE Jesus this was horrible. This article is like when Peter Pan spends hours to write a good review but the review flops. Please just stop writing reviews you’ll save a lot of people pain. Btw album was 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I suggest all of you go to Marcus Dowling’s instagram and see for yourself who is actually behind this review. This cat is a bucktooth, mark ass queen. I scrolled through the pic collection and could tell he likes the same sex off top. This square is qualified to write this review? How? I’m embarrassed for the website that you are publishing corny dick takers like this. He should be reviewing childrens novels..
Ian kept it 100. Respect. I seen dowling IG. Look like a dude who would stand in line for two hours to let Rick James lick his face. Imagine what the DM’s look like tho????
Awful Review. Spent too much time referencing past music and you sound bitter. I’m a child therapist that works with kids in foster care. Your words sound angry, just like my clients
Really good Review! This album really is awful, 0 authenticity from Chris Brown and half-assed…this is coming from a Chris Brown fan.
awesome album