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
Make A Move
Royal Tailor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My mouth just keeps on running
But I never follow through
I heard that true religion is love with hands and feet
I wanna find my own way
To reach a world in need
I've been captured by the unimportant
Locked in and now it's time to break free
There's more to life
Open my eyes
Someone is needing you
So I gotta make a move
What good are words
When this world hurts
Real faith will come through
When I make a move
We don't need permission to go outside of these doors
And dream some crazy dream
No one else has dreamed before
To show love and compassion
Whatever way it may be
To put faith into action
Do more than just believe
We are hope to those who have been broken
We were made to make a difference
Made to make a difference
There's more to life
Open my eyes
Someone is needing you
So I gotta make a move
What good are words
When this world hurts
Real faith will come through
When I make a move
I've been captured by the unimportant
Locked in and now it's time to break free
Now it's time to break free
There's more to life
Open my eyes
Someone is needing you
So I gotta make a move
What good are words
When this world hurts
Real faith will come through
When I make a move
When I make a move
When I make a move
The opening lines of Royal Tailor's song "Make A Move" touch upon the common human tendency of setting grand intentions but never following through with them. The lyrics describe the feeling of being stuck in a constant cycle of wanting to do good, but not knowing how to act on those desires. The reference to "true religion" hints at the idea that actions speak louder than words, and that love must be expressed through tangible gestures rather than just talk. There is a feeling of urgency in the song, as the singer recognizes that real faith and positive change can only come through action.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of taking initiative and making a difference in the world, rather than waiting for someone else to do so. This idea is supported by the lines "We don't need permission to go outside of these doors / And dream some crazy dream / No one else has dreamed before". The song encourages listeners to not just stand idly by, but to actively seek out ways to show love and compassion and make a positive impact.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that actions speak louder than words, highlighting that there is more to life than just talking - there is a need to open one's eyes, recognize the needs of those around us, and take action. The repeated phrase "when I make a move" reinforces the idea that positive change can only come about through action, rather than mere intentions.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Good Intentions, so much I wanna do
I have lots of good intentions and things I want to do
My mouth just keeps on running
I talk a lot, but don't take action
But I never follow through
I never actually do what I say I will
I heard that true religion is love with hands and feet
I understand true religion means putting love into action
I wanna find my own way
I want to find my own path to making a difference
To reach a world in need
I want to help the world in a meaningful way
I've been captured by the unimportant
I've been wasting my time on unimportant things
Locked in and now it's time to break free
I feel trapped, but now it's time for a change
There's more to life
Life has more meaning and purpose than what I've been doing
Open my eyes
I need to see the opportunities and needs around me
Someone is needing you
People need my help to make a difference
So I gotta make a move
I need to take action and do something
What good are words
Just talking isn't enough to make a difference in the world
When this world hurts
The world is hurting and needs action, not just words
Real faith will come through
My faith will be tested and proven when I take action
We don't need permission to go outside of these doors
We don't need approval to step outside of our comfort zones
And dream some crazy dream
We should dream big and bold in our actions to make a difference
No one else has dreamed before
We should strive to make a unique impact on the world
To show love and compassion
We should act in ways that show love and compassion to others
Whatever way it may be
We can make a difference in a variety of ways that suit our skills and abilities
To put faith into action
We should actively live out our faith in our actions
Do more than just believe
We need to act on our beliefs and put them into practice
We are hope to those who have been broken
Our actions can inspire hope and healing in those who are hurting
We were made to make a difference
Making a difference is our purpose and calling in life
When I make a move
My actions will have an impact on others if I take the step to do something
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BLAKE HUBBARD, CHUCK BUTLER, TAUREN WELLS, TONY WOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@queenchiomaofficial
God has raised up some really great Christian artists and Tauren is one of them! 👏🏽
@coleeast8284
For real
@lwideman1
amen
@dimdim7161
There are some good non Christian sings too tho 😂
@PoonamSharma-xw7qe
You are absolutely right 😊
@tiffanyprobus6363
@Wadima Abdoon and? This is about Christian music🤦♀️
@teacherdavid--eatplaylearn5013
I'm still listening in 2019 🥰
Blessings from Taiwan 🤓
@meganradloff5515
Same!
@sxlfish9481
tobymac and Royal Taylor are my favorite artists in Christ
@milagrosguzmandebarranco7812
Here during pandemic anyone?...Perfect music to do chores and praise at the same time!