How Did We Get So Dark?
Royal Blood · 2017
34 min · 10 tracks · hard rock
A gritty blend of hard rock and blues-infused riffs, echoing the raw energy of underground rock scenes.
Top tracks — play these first
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How Did We Get So Dark? — The title track encapsulates the album’s exploration of existential themes through driving rhythms and powerful vocals, setting the tone for the entire record.
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I Only Lie When I Love You — This track stands out with its infectious chorus and sharp lyrics, combining catchy hooks with an undercurrent of emotional conflict that resonates throughout the album.
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Hook, Line & Sinker — With its pulsating beat and dynamic shifts, this song exemplifies Royal Blood's knack for blending hard-hitting rock with melodic sensibilities, making it a fan favorite.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features heavy guitar riffs and a driving beat, setting a dark tone that persists throughout.
- Several tracks employ call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the dynamic between the lead vocals and instrumentation.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a contrast to the earlier high-energy songs and allowing for introspection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady energetic flow throughout
- dark themes with gripping intensity
- for late-night drives
- ideal for active listening sessions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light and upbeat sounds
- seek lengthy, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 16, 2017, How Did We Get So Dark? is Royal Blood's sophomore album, following their self-titled debut that propelled them into mainstream success. By this point, the duo had solidified their reputation as a formidable force in the modern rock landscape, eager to expand their sound while retaining their energetic roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Death from Above 1979· The Black Keys· Wolfmother
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Don't Tell
The verse takes a sudden shift in perspective, revealing layers of vulnerability as it juxtaposes confidence with self-doubt.
This structural choice deepens the emotional impact by contrasting bravado with introspective moments, enhancing the album's exploration of complex relationships.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 How Did We Get So Dark? 3:17
- 2 Lights Out 3:57
- 3 I Only Lie When I Love You 2:49
- 4 She's Creeping 3:23
- 5 Look Like You Know 3:05
- 6 Where Are You Now 2:46
- 7 Don't Tell 3:38
- 8 Hook, Line & Sinker 3:28
- 9 Hole in Your Heart 3:46
- 10 Sleep 4:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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