I need to apologize immediately. My artwork is a temporary placement. I had to draw on my notes pad with my hand. I have my drawing program on my other tablet and well…my charger broke. And so, we’re stuck with this. Please understand. ‘Royal’ was released yesterday and it has been playing in my head ever since. So, you know I had to come with the review.

Mingi has a ton of credits on this song. On YouTube it says: Associated Performer, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Programming all belong to Mingi Song. Let’s go Song Mingi! All of Ateez have Associated Performers and Vocals credits. ATEEZ and Be: First collaborated on the song ‘Hush Hush’ this year as well. Making this the second collab.

I got the pleasure of seeing both ATEEZ and BE: FIRST on tour a couple of months back. You don’t understand how impressed I was. I will do a review of that very soon. I know both groups for their music. And Ryoki Miyama for his killer acting skills on High & Low the worst X. Safe to say, I am familiar with both groups, and I am a fan. I think this song really proves exactly what they prove in their careers. So, let’s jump into why I think so. 

Disclaimer: I am a fan as well as a reviewer so my writing for these kinds of reviews are a mix of both. That being said it will not be your traditional review. We will have some in the near future, but for now if this isn’t your thing, we have a lot of other content on our blog! Please check it out. Okay let’s go into the analysis/review!

I have to say this was so easy to listen to right away. From beginning to end. I felt the power in it as soon as it started. I really enjoyed it. I like the different tempos from the lyrics being delivered vs the beat. I think the melody is really nice as well.

LYRICS

A disclaimer, I had to read the translated lyrics. They do have the lyric video so; you have the audio and lyric option to enjoy. Due to me reading the translations I might not have a full grasp of the meaning. Due to it being lost in translation. So, I might lose some of the meaning. Sorry in advance.

However, if the writers would like to fill us in. Please don’t hesitate to hit us up! Okay back to the analysis/breakdown. Lyrically, I am really impressed! The power exuding from the lyrics is impressive. 

The beginning really asks you the questions to see if you can handle the pressure and heat it takes to shine like a diamond. Can you handle the crown? If you are even unsure you can’t be here. You don’t belong in the position. Because once you are here you can’t go back on your word. Very cutthroat. Very intense. It’s fitting with the music here.

Obviously, the words crown and throne are associated with royalty, but also, it’s giving you are undefeated. You fought for the crown. The drive is in your veins. In your blood. It feels like you just finished a war. Maybe all the accomplishments? Running the industry? Showing and proving it one performance at a time. 

The second half of the song is very intense. A lot of diss like lyrics. They hold a lot of weight. I am a little shocked actually. I think these lyrics show why they are royalty and you’re not. At least that’s my interpretation. 

The pre-chorus and chorus are again really catchy. 

The bridge tells a different story. Of not being comfortable in one place. And being hungry for more. “I always want more” shows that craving. It’s the drive that keeps you at the top. As well as the breakdown. It’s very impressive. I think the white flag would be when the story ends. You reached legend and decided to relax. For others it’s the stuff that was from verse 2 that they refrained from. The breakdown is really showing what their calling is. What fuels their fire.

Watch their throne, watch em. 

So yeah. The interpretation for this song is a lot, but this is just my mini analysis of it. I find the story very cool here 

STYLE

Stylistically, I love the choices made. Some mentions are:

That laugh in the beginning. That really messed me up.

 The “shout it out” in the first pre-chorus. 

The “Gonna make it louder” the first and third time was literal as well.

I’m getting a rock, hip hop vibe from this. With some classical instruments as well which made the royal feel to this song even more intense.

This song is so easy to groove to. I already came up with some choreo. I hope when they were in LA they also got to record some visuals. I wonder if they recorded this when they were out here. I hope that this song gets picked up for an action movie. It would do great as a soundtrack as well. I love the intense feel of this song. I feel untouchable like a baddie should. 

I have to mention the voice variety and how it worked so well. It was so satisfying as they all blended well to make ‘Royal’. 

I think my favorite parts have to be the voice over in the beginning and of course the pre-chorus and chorus. It’s very nice. You get more of a hip-hop feel from the pre-chorus and a rock pop feel from the chorus. 

I have to bring up the instruments. The guitar solo at the beginning is fire. And The beat throughout the song was great. There is something towards the bridge of the song that sounds like an engine. I found that interesting. I was scared at first, but then listening in, it really fit well with the song. I also suggest checking out the Dolby Atmos Stems of the songs!

One thing I am also impressed with is how the song really fits everyone. Don’t get upset with me, because in most cases it’s true. It is really difficult to get everyone to fit a song. Especially this many people on one song. And not to mention it’s rap and singing in it. I think it also still kept the character of each artist (like I mentioned earlier). And all those colors together worked so well. 

Remember to stream, stream, stream! Send some love to BE: FIRST and ATEEZ! I’m sure Mingi will do a live soon and we will be updating this article. I will bring more variety to the reviews really soon. Please be patient! Thank you for always supporting us! See you soon. As for now. Listen to some amazing music!

Written & illustrated by: A.P