SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROYAL WOOD – DEAR JOHN

ROYAL WOOD
DEAR JOHN
CORDOVA BAY RECORDS

Royal Wood returns with one of the strongest albums of his career. Dear John is his 11th studio album (he has also released a live album) and his first release since 2022’s widely acclaimed and very successful What Tomorrow Brings. Although he did release a compilation of rarities in 2024, Memory Lane (Rarities and B-Sides), Dear John is his first album of new material following a break in order to spend more time with his family. Dear John was worth the wait. This is a very strong album full of solid melodies and personal lyrics. Not only did Royal Wood write the album, but he also produced it, and pretty much plays all the instruments.

The album opens with “End Of The Road,” an interesting song that combines indie rock with country. The song features sharp playing and perfect vocals. It sets the tone for the rest of the album, as it follows stories about peace, love, family, and sometimes working hard to find the good things in life. “A Good Day” is a much more stripped-back affair, with some tasteful guitar and a great backing vocal arrangement. As usual, Wood is not afraid to try different things on the album. For example, a song like “Burn It Down,” has a definite 2000s hip hop vibe. It is an exciting track, again, with excellent use of backing vocals and a strong musical arrangement. The duet between his guitar and an organ is something to hear. It is too short, but when he tries to combine both, it is pure magic.

Wood is not above some very laid-back, mellow ballads as well. “Patience” is a lovely song about compromise and dealing with issues without losing everything. Again, it has a very strong melody that guides the lyrics in a perfect way. It is a great song. This is followed by the beautiful piano-based ballad, “Something In Your Eyes,” which tips its hat towards Eagles’ “Desperado,” while still being a Royal Wood song. The album ends with “To Be In Love,” which is almost a mantra to his wife. It is a beautiful sentiment and a brilliant way to end the album.

Dear John is clearly an important album for Royal Wood. In a sense, it is his version of John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy. Wood sings about his love, his family, and although there are struggles, there is always a way through the rough times that will only make the relationship stronger. In many ways, it is The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love,” but done in Royal Wood’s style. From the front cover photo to the love songs about and for his wife, it is an album that is very much needed in 2025. Hearing an album so steeped in realistic love is not the common theme anymore. Royal Wood makes it work and has created a very peaceful work of art. It is a welcome return and a brilliant album by a very important artist.

Artist Links