The band’s self-titled sophomore album, Royal Tailor, out October 22 on Essential Records, is an electrifying step forward on every front: funkier, more danceable grooves; bigger sing-alongs; broader stylistic leaps; and deeper, more intimate conversations about God and faith. Royal Tailor shows the eclectic, pop-infused rock band fully growing into that potential.
"I think the first album was based off of our instincts, because we were so new to everything," singer Tauren Wells says. "In the last two years of touring, we've all grown. This time, we knew what we wanted to do, knew what we wanted to write about. Being out there on the road, seeing the things that kids are dealing with, what we’re dealing with ourselves too -- there's just so much learning that has taken place that we were ready to pour it all into these songs."
Royal Tailor’s songs expand on Black & White’s soul- and funk-angled pop sensibilities, stylistically spanning as broadly as the four bandmates’ influences, from hip-hop to pop, R&B, EDM, rock and gospel, with Wells' powerful, acrobatic vocal leading the way. Hats are tipped from Michael Jackson to Coldplay, though the LP remains centered, lyrically, on inspiration for anyone to know they can change no matter where they are, and in turn, can make a difference in the world and positively impact culture.
The hope is that the songs on Royal Tailor will move feet, hearts and minds, encouraging listeners to get closer to both God and their community -- to focus on coming together when too many people are pulling apart.
"We want to connect people, because there's strength in unity,” Wells says. "We believe that we're called to build bridges, not walls."
Royal Tailor feels called to use its music and campaigns to help tear down the walls that already exist, too -- the ones we put up between each other, because of differences in politics, religion, race or preference; or self-imposed walls, allowing circumstances or guilt to make us feel separated from God and happiness.
“Nothing can completely knock you down unless you let it,” Wells says. “So this album is get-back-up music. This is don't-let-'em-hold-you-down music."
Royal Tailor’s get-back-up music is fittingly celebratory, from the dance floor energy and spiritual enthusiasm of "Ready Set Go" and "Got That Fire” to the encouraging, '80s-throwback pop of "Jesus Love." But the album has tender moments, too, including thanks-bearing ballad "You Are My Rescue" and “Remain,” an uplifting anthem of steadfast faithfulness.
The breadth is intentional, meant to reflect the well-rounded, well-honed musicianship that defines Royal Tailor as a unit.
"There's rap, there's more guitar solos, bigger drum tones, funkier basslines,” Wells says. “I think if people give Royal Tailor a chance, they'll find that there's something for everyone."
Produced by Chris Stevens (Mandisa, Colton Dixon), Aaron Lindsey (Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp) and Chuck Butler (worked with Britt Nicole, Brandon Heath), Royal Tailor boasts additional collaborators tobyMac on 80’s pop throwback, “Jesus Love,” and other co-producer, Cole Walowac of Capital Kings, who co-wrote and teamed up on the song “Ready Set Go.”
To craft and capture the songs on Royal Tailor, the band connected with a mix of talented collaborators including producers Chris Stevens (Mandisa, Colton Dixon), Aaron Lindsey (Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp) and Chuck Butler (worked with Britt Nicole, Brandon Heath), hit songwriter Jason Ingram and co-writer, producer and friend, Cole Walowac of Capital Kings on the song “Ready Set Go.” To ramp up its already explosive live show, Royal Tailor also teamed with musical director Adam Blackstone, known for guiding Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and countless other mega-talents.
"The musicianship and the level that he brought it to was just crazy," Wells says of Blackstone. "I learned a lot about the energy that it takes to really move people emotionally -- he was completely tapped into all of that, and shared it with us."
The act of sharing one's gifts fittingly forms "an integral part of who we are" as a band, Wells says. Prior to signing with Essential, Royal Tailor spent a year working at a Granite City, Ill., church, mentoring and teaching kids to form their own worship bands, an experience that Ingram says instilled a valuable sense of patience and purpose. The band’s continued to follow that passion, helping students across the U.S. at colleges, camps, master classes and shows aimed at underlining the importance of music and teaching the fundamental truths of how impactful the arts, mixed with positive messaging, can truly be. Wells also recently developed Prisma Worship Arts School in his home of Houston, Tex., aimed at inspiring and teaching a new generation of faith-based artists.
"We're constantly trying to think of ways to be involved with the next generation," Wells says, "We want to invest in people, and (teaching) showed us that it could be done, that balancing both worlds is possible -- going out and being on the road and having a meaningful, personal impact."
Whether it’s through writing, recording, performing or talking about God and faith with fans and friends, that push toward a meaningful, personal impact stays front and center for the members of Royal Tailor. They’ve had far and wide opportunities to share that intent since Black & White’s 2011 release, from its Best Contemporary Christian Music Album GRAMMY nomination, to being honored as Google’s “50 bands under 30,” to a stocked international touring schedule, including Casting Crowns’ 43-city “Come To The Well” tour, Britt Nicole’s “You’re Worth More Than Gold” tour alongside Group 1 Crew, the Pollstar-topping, 44-city Winter Jam arena tour (seeing more than 550,000 in attendance) and Newsong’s “Swallow The Ocean” Tour.
With Royal Tailor, the band aims to take the conversation further, to start deeper discussions of faith and community, to encourage more focused action – to help keep knocking down walls.
“We want people to come and enjoy the music, have fun and enjoy the presence of God,” Wells says. “But we also want to inspire them to go out and do something with that, like it has inspired us. We want to encourage them to get ready and go get plugged into their community, in their schools, in their churches and make a difference. We want people to know you can be who you want to be, you can achieve what you want to achieve and realize we’ve all been created for something greater than ourselves”
“So, let’s all be that hope, be the light, be the love right now! Ready, Set, Go!”
Members:
Tauren Wells
Blake Hubbard
DJ Cox
Jarrod Ingram
Website: http://www.royaltailoronline.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/royaltailor
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/royaltailor
Hope
Royal Tailor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you feel like you're still falling
And you're wondering when the brighter day's coming
You've been lost
They keep playing that old sad song on the radio
And you feel like they're telling your story
You're like a ship that's floating in the dark
And the fog's so thick you can hardly see the stars anymore
You're looking for a way home
Hope He'll light the way
You'll find your way to
Hope, hope
Everybody's looking for, they're searching for
A place to put their
Hope, hope
This life is a struggle
And you're so far 'cause you've been running
And you put trust in all of the wrong things
High class, you've got everything
It won't last, you'll be empty 'cause
True love's not marked with a price tag
No, you can't buy that
You're like a ship that's floating in the dark
And the fog so thick you can hardly see the stars anymore
And you're looking for a way
You're looking for a way home
I can see it in your eyes
You've been looking for a better life
But you don't where to find it
Well get ready, I can see the rising sun
And your change is 'bout to come
Yeah, your change is coming
The song "Hope" by Royal Tailor is an uplifting message of encouragement for those who are struggling and searching for direction in their lives. The lyrics portray a sense of hopelessness and despair when faced with the challenges of life that knock us down and make us feel lost. The song captures the feeling of being lost and disconnected from what is truly important in life.
The verses use the metaphor of a ship lost in the dark, struggling to find its way home. The fog is so thick that the stars are no longer visible, and the ship is floating aimlessly, searching for a beacon of light to guide it back to safety. The chorus encourages the listener to hold onto hope and be persistent in their search for a way out of the darkness. The lyrics suggest that hope will light the way and lead us to a place where we can find rest and renewal.
The song acknowledges that life is a struggle, and we often put our trust in the wrong things. The pursuit of material things and success can leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. However, hope is not something that can be bought or sold. True love and connection are what bring meaning and purpose to our lives. The lyrics offer a message of hope and encouragement for those who are searching for something more significant than the superficial trappings of success.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're knocked down to the bottom
When you feel like you've hit rock bottom and things can't get any worse
And you feel like you're still falling
And you feel like life is still getting worse, despite hitting rock bottom
And you're wondering when the brighter day's coming
And you're wondering when things will turn around and start getting better
You've been lost
You feel lost and unsure of what to do next
They keep playing that old sad song on the radio
You keep hearing the same sad stories and struggles on the news or in music
And you feel like they're telling your story
And it feels like those struggles are specifically directed towards you and your life
You're like a ship that's floating in the dark
You feel directionless, like you're floating aimlessly with no end in sight
And the fog's so thick you can hardly see the stars anymore
And the problems and struggles you're facing are so obscuring that it's hard to see any hope or light in your life anymore
And you're looking for a way
And you're desperately searching for a way out of your current struggles
You're looking for a way home
You're longing for a sense of safety and stability in your life
Hope He'll light the way
You're hoping that God will provide a way out and guide you through your struggles
You'll find your way to
You believe that you'll eventually find a solution to your problems
Hope, hope
You're holding onto hope, even in the darkest of times
Everybody's looking for, they're searching for
Everyone faces struggles and is searching for a way out
A place to put their
A place to put their hope, to find a sense of peace and stability in their lives
This life is a struggle
Life is difficult, and everyone faces their own challenges
And you're so far 'cause you've been running
Your problems have caused you to run from the things you need to face and deal with in your life
And you put trust in all of the wrong things
You've put your trust in things that have ultimately let you down
High class, you've got everything
You may have wealth and material possessions, but they haven't provided the happiness and stability you need
It won't last, you'll be empty 'cause
Those things won't last forever, and they won't fulfill the deeper needs in your life
True love's not marked with a price tag
Real love and happiness can't be bought or measured by material possessions or wealth
No, you can't buy that
Real love and happiness can't be bought or acquired through material means
I can see it in your eyes
Others can see the struggles and pain you're experiencing in your eyes
You've been looking for a better life
You've been searching for a way to improve your life and find happiness and stability
But you don't where to find it
But you don't know where to look or what direction to take in order to find that better life
Well get ready, I can see the rising sun
But hold on and prepare yourself, because there are signs of hope and better things to come
And your change is 'bout to come
Things are about to turn around and change for the better in your life
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Bluewater Music Corp., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BLAKE HUBBARD, BRANDON PERDUE, DAVID COX, JARROD INGRAM, JEREMY MCCOY, KEVIN BROCHERT, TAUREN WELLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind