Review | Roulette – Go!

Sound Pollution

Roulette’s `Go!’ is a masterstroke!
An album that doesn’t just enter your world, but commandeers it while pawing in the groundworks of the past and one’s memories of the melodic past and present. These Swedish melodic rock legends mark their 40th anniversary, delivering a record that crackles with the kind of energy and urgency normally reserved for bands half their age. Where its predecessor already proved the band’s impressive growth in modernity, `Go!’ steps beyond while creating instant melodic magic. `Go!’ is not just an album: Roulette are here, and they’re not done yet.

RELENTLESS PRECISION

From the opening riff and melodic nesting mayhem of ,,Answer to My Prayers”, the band sets the tone for a journey through ten tracks of pure melodic rock euphoria. Each song is a meticulously crafted anthem. Built on foundations of soaring vocals, infectious hooks, and guitar work that’s as sharp as it is soulful. Thomas Lundgren’s voice is a beacon standing tall. Clear, powerful, and brimming with emotion, he belts out the lyrics with precision and soul, while the rhythm section of Mats Nelin and Hansi Fellbrink propels every track forward with relentless precision. It all just gels in the realms of the band’s long-lasting career, increasing dynamics and sills.

,,Fire In Your Eyes” is the kind of song that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. Its chorus is an earworm of the highest order, the kind that lingers long after the music stops. Pleasant, and intense on its delivery, the song pulls forward in the manner of a band reviving their core sound and inspiration. Roulette is stronger than ever!

,,We Remember You” is a stadium-sized rocker. Its melodies vast and its heart even bigger, firing on all melodic engines, as if time stood still. The tempo and groove is powerful, the licks and melodic riffs are trident and appealing, the vocals instantly nesting. Melodies stacked, the song whirls with melodic persistence.

PHENOMENAL

,,Strangers” sees Magnus Nelin unleashing an intense melodic riff and powerful solo that’s as wild as it is controlled. A perfect foil to Lundgren’s emotive delivery. The song presses on the melody, without losing sight of its melodic outset. The bass droning and luring you in, the drums dynamic and intensely versatile, adding to the dynamics of the band. And just when you think the energy might wane, the impressive melodic anthem ,,Don’t Be Sorry” and the intensely melodic ,,She Can’t Hide” arrive. Their riffs and harmonies filling every corner of the room, demanding you sing along. Great melodic licks and harmonies depleted, the keys jab and stab into the core of the melody, with Lundgren crooning and wailing the chorus into pitch perfect action. Phenomenal melodies and interaction propel the new Roulette songs. Just check out the ponderous low droner ,,Take Me as I Am”!

,,What Are You Looking For” is phenomenal. The nesting melody, the doubled down hook of the chorus; it all unites in a slice of well-preserved melodic antics untied in the present. The song aligns with the band’s newfound elan of the previous album, magnified on the impressively crafted ,,Brand New Start” that instantly paws into the findings above. It licks the melodic past and present, with Roulette’s increasing strength at the helm. Its bridge and chorus instantly nesting, the powerful groove and drum dynamics propel the track, while the melodic gymnastics are just jaw dropping brilliant. The guitar melody is striking, the hooks enormous, and he chorus lands on the runway of its contemporary bridge. The guitar solo adds volumes, sizzling on the intensity of and melody of the song’s verse.

MUSIC VIDEOS

The response to Roulette’s music videos on YouTube is a testament to their enduring appeal. Fans old and new are quick to praise the band’s ability to blend nostalgia with fresh, contemporary energy. There’s a sense of community in the comments. Stories of how Roulette’s music has soundtracked lives, and excitement for what `Go!’ might bring to their live shows. The videos themselves are slick yet heartfelt, capturing the band’s chemistry and the sheer joy they take in performing. The tremendous energy is fused to the band’s long-lasting creative strike. Gradually building and gaining momentum in the 4^th decade of their career. ,,Better Walk Away” is a statement to the finding, with Roulette sounding better and more vital than ever before.

ROULETTE – THE CONCLUSION

What sets `Go!’ apart is its unrelenting positivity. In a world often weighed down by cynicism, Roulette’s music is a beacon of hope and celebration. Every track is a singalong, every chorus a reason to raise your voice. The production is pristine, allowing each instrument and every vocal nuance to shine, but it never feels sterile. There’s warmth here, a sense of camaraderie that’s rare in today’s music scene.

As a melodic rocker, it’s thrilling to witness a band not just surviving, but thriving after four decades. Roulette’s `Go!’ is a triumph. An album that will no doubt be remembered. For fans of AOR and melodic rock, and Scandinavian classics like Skagarack, Return, Treat, Europe, 220 Volt, Swedish Erotica and Stage Dolls, this is essential listening. For everyone else, it’s an invitation to join the melodic rocking party. Roulette done it again. `Go!’ is an album that feels both timeless and timely, a celebration of life, music, and the power of a great chorus.

Release date: 25 July 2025