Shobsy’s Royalty Review: Dark, Addictive Pop With Serious Attitude

By Chris Kennedy | Published 1st Sept, 2026

Shobsy

It’s been something of a whirlwind couple of years for Irish artist Shobsy. Performances across Ireland, Europe and the US have helped him build a growing international audience, while his evolution from frontman of acclaimed Irish rock band State Lights into a powerhouse solo pop artist has been seriously impressive.

If there’s one thing Shobsy has already established, it’s that he knows how to command a stage.

He first attracted widespread attention with a deeply moving, stripped-back piano-and-vocal performance of Bronski Beat’s Smalltown Boy on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show. His debut solo single, Vanity, followed with plenty of attention from Irish and UK music blogs, setting the wheels in motion for what has become an increasingly impressive solo career.

Since then, Shobsy has released an EP alongside a string of singles, gradually carving out his own space within the Irish pop scene. With a powerful voice, natural showmanship and an ability to connect with an audience, he is quickly becoming one of Ireland’s most compelling emerging pop artists.

Now, with his forthcoming Irish tour on the horizon, Shobsy is back with his latest single, Royalty.

Shobsy Brings Power And Vulnerability To Royalty

Royalty wastes little time getting down to business. This is high-energy pop with plenty of attitude, driven by retro-inspired synth textures, pulsing basslines and a darker, cinematic production style.

There’s an unmistakable groove running throughout the track, with upbeat percussion giving Royalty a dancefloor-ready quality without taking away from its more atmospheric edge.

And then there’s that voice.

Shobsy’s vocals sit firmly at the front of the mix, almost becoming another instrument within the production. What makes things particularly interesting is the way he moves between two distinct vocal identities, reflecting the contrasting ideas of power and vulnerability at the heart of the song.

That contrast gives Royalty more depth than your average upbeat pop track.

Speaking about the song, Shobsy explains that it explores the shifting power dynamics that can exist within relationships, particularly the balance between dominance and submission.

The song is an exploration of power dynamics in relationships. The constant pull between dominance and submission and finding out where you fall on that spectrum. - Shobsy

It’s an interesting subject, and the production reflects that sense of tension. There’s a constant push and pull between the darker electronic elements and the more accessible pop sensibilities, giving the track an energetic but slightly mysterious feel.

A Growing International Profile

Shobsy’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed.

In July 2026, he was among a select group of Irish artists, alongside Dermot Kennedy and Gavin James, invited to perform at a special Irish music industry showcase hosted by the President of Ireland at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin.

It’s another indication of just how quickly his profile has grown.

His latest recordings, produced between Berlin and Dublin, also demonstrate an artist becoming increasingly confident in his musical identity. There are clear nods to the likes of George Michael, David Bowie and The Weeknd, while Royalty comfortably moves between synth-pop and R&B influences.

Rather than simply copying those influences, Shobsy takes elements from each and folds them into a sound that feels contemporary and distinctly his own.

That genre-hopping approach could prove to be one of his biggest strengths.

Shobsy

Final Verdict

Royalty is another strong step forward for Shobsy. It’s catchy, energetic and built around a vocal performance that deserves to be heard loud. The combination of dark synth-pop, pulsing bass, R&B influences and Shobsy’s commanding vocals gives the track plenty of personality, while the underlying themes of power and vulnerability add an intriguing layer beneath the infectious production.

With his international audience continuing to grow and an Irish tour on the way, Shobsy looks increasingly like an artist ready to take the next big step.