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First Listen – “Dear John” – Royal Wood
Royal Wood has always had a gift for writing songs that feel timeless — the kind that play like an old photograph looks. With Dear John, his newest full-length album, that gift turns into something truly special: a love letter written not to a person, but to life itself. It’s warm, reflective, and effortlessly melodic — the work of an artist comfortable in his skin and quietly pushing his own boundaries.
A Letter Written in Melody
Dear John unfolds like a personal correspondence — full of handwritten emotion, crossed-out thoughts, and heartfelt revisions. There’s a patient rhythm to it all, from the way Wood’s voice leans gently into each verse to the understated layers of piano, guitar, and strings that surround him. The production is crisp yet human, never hiding behind gloss. Every note feels earned.
“Give It Up,” the album’s undeniable centerpiece (and fan-favorite single), captures this spirit in full. It’s romantic and urgent, carried by a rhythm that feels like a heartbeat rediscovering hope. “Sunshine,” by contrast, opens the windows wide — a bright, breezy track that radiates gratitude in every measure. And “A Good Day” rounds out the trifecta of singles with a comforting, almost cinematic grace; the kind of song you hum on long drives and remember years later.
Finding Light in Reflection
Lyrically, Dear John is steeped in reflection — not the melancholy kind, but the mature kind that comes with acceptance. Royal Wood isn’t writing from heartbreak so much as from understanding. He turns everyday observations into universal truths, inviting listeners to slow down and listen between the lines.
You can hear it in the phrasing, in the pauses between words, in the moments where the music breathes. The album doesn’t rush to impress; it simply arrives, stays a while, and leaves you a little more open-hearted than before.
On the Road Again
This November, Royal Wood sets off on a tour across Canada and the United States, running through April — a long stretch of stages and shared rooms where these songs will come alive. Dear John feels tailor-made for that journey: intimate enough for a small theatre, but expansive enough to fill the air of a concert hall.
Whether you’ve been following him for years or are just discovering his music, this album is the perfect entry point — a portrait of an artist who still believes in the power of a well-crafted song to connect people, one lyric at a time.
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