Royal Blues serve up a raucous, soulful toast with “Way Down Low”
If there’s a song destined to soundtrack blurry late-night singalongs, last-call whiskey toasts, and the quiet ache of missing someone you shouldn’t have let slip away, it’s “Way Down Low”, the new single from London’s Royal Blues. Dropping June 13th, 2025, this riotous, soul-stomping cut is a whiskey-drenched, boot-stomping Americana anthem that feels both timeless and thrillingly alive in the moment.
Since forming in the latter days of 2023, Royal Blues have rapidly made a name for themselves in London’s patchwork music scene, where their fusion of Delta blues, bluegrass, rock, and alt-country soul has drawn packed crowds and the kind of rowdy, loyal fanbase you’d expect from a band that feels this genuine. “Way Down Low” captures that livewire energy in a studio setting without sanding off any of its rough edges. It’s the kind of track that demands to be played loud, ideally with a sticky pint glass in hand.
Frontman Stu “Big Souts” Souter is a revelation here, his raspy, gravel-paved vocals recalling the visceral punch of Howlin’ Wolf and the steady gravitas of Johnny Cash. There’s a lived-in authenticity to his delivery — you believe every word, whether he’s belting out the chorus or leaning into the track’s quieter, reflective moments. It’s the sound of a man who’s shouted above the din of countless bars and still somehow finds fresh urgency in the telling.
The instrumentation is equally unrelenting. Craig Davies lays down searing, swamp-soaked guitar riffs that twist and burn with each verse, while the thunderous rhythm section of Simon and Kidu anchors the chaos with a stomping groove that won’t quit. But it’s the crackling, gospel-tinged three-part harmonies from Labhaoise, Bella, and Ana that lift this track into anthemic territory. When those voices rise together in the chorus, it’s like the whole bar’s singing along, even if you’re alone in your car at 2 a.m.
Lyrically, “Way Down Low” walks that perfect line between rowdy celebration and mournful reflection. It’s a song about loyal friends, reckless nights, and the ghosts of those no longer with us — the kind of track that makes you raise a glass as much for those you’ve lost as for the ones still standing beside you. It’s a high-wire balancing act of joy and sorrow, and Royal Blues nail it without a hint of pretense.
Coming off the heels of their debut single “Everybody Knows”, which landed a spot in the Amazon Prime and Apple TV documentary Dogs Are People Too, this new track cements Royal Blues as one of the most electrifying and authentic bands emerging from the UK right now. “Way Down Low” doesn’t just pay homage to the Americana greats — it carves out its own space in the lineage, a global posse of misfits and old souls crafting music that feels utterly necessary in 2025.
This is a track that sounds like it’s been around forever, in the best way. A proper drinking song. A soundtrack for every night that starts with a laugh and ends with a story. And proof that sometimes, the most universal music is born in the most unlikely corners of the world. Royal Blues, take a bow — then pour another round.
Listen loud and follow along by clicking those links below!
Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:
