Gabriel Royce – Traveler
Gabriel Royce wrote an album that means something to him.
Inspired by his oldest daughter, Emery (and even featuring the voice of his father), Traveler is the culmination of a decade-long dream. There’s something to be said about a self-produced album like Traveler and the 2am nights that were spent to put out something of this magnitude. Across 12 songs, Royce builds a literal world – or rather a galaxy, parlaying space travel concepts into metaphorical lessons about life. This is truly a love letter to his daughter; an album that comes from a place like that is special.
Album opener “Blastoff” is more of a mantra than a song, but fittingly, starts with the voice of his father and ends with the voice of Emery. It sets the “space” scene perfectly, leading into song two, “Light Up The Sky.” Royce pulls no punches here – an ultra-polished song that could fit comfortably on your favorite 1980s-era synthpop album, but could also play out just fine next to a The 1975 song. The saxophone line here is infectious and blends perfectly with the uplifting lyrics, perfect for building up burgeoning brains and personalities like Emery’s – “Take my hand, future’s looking bright / And you will light up the sky.” This big, ’80s influenced sound can be found elsewhere too – see the bombastic synth leads on “On Your Own.”
You’ll find this cosmic sound scattered throughout Traveler, twisting and turning through genres (or planets), just like Royce intende. “Starfighter” is built around a synthy Fender Rhodes sound, using gauzy synths and bubbling basslines to keep it rooted in an early ’90s soft rock sound. “Sympathy” (which gets our nod for album favorite) leans into this ’90s sound too, sounding like a throwback with it’s gated snare sound and slow jam instrumental palate. There’s also soothing and relaxing synthpop, e.g. “Rebel Heart” or “The Other Side,” and even songs that have a more menacing vibe “Won’t You Dance” – shout out to the guitar solo here too. As a whole, however, the album feels like something written in the twilight hour meant to lull one into some sweet dreams. Mission accomplished.
Traveler is available now (September 12th, 2025). Check it out on Spotify or swing by Gabriel’s YouTube.
Categorised in: Album Reviews
This post was written by Nick Sessanna