Album Review: RØRY – Restoration (SADCØRE)

A long time coming, and one of 2025’s most anticipated records, ‘Restoration’ is the debut album from alternative artist, RØRY. Out on January 31st, 2025, via SADCØRE.

It really doesn’t get more open and honest than this. Unflinchingly honest, in fact, but that is RØRY for you and one of the many reasons she has built up such a sizable fanbase. A rabid fanbase too, for better or worse.

Here’s the thing though. Love what she does, or hate what she does, she has earned respect. This album is a personal and emotional journey, reflecting RØRY’s experiences with grief, addiction, and more, while also showcasing how revelatory such a journey was as she found a way forward. Restoration is going to be huge; the clues are there based off reactions to the singles, and RØRY has earned every bit of her success.

I am a fan, not just of the person, but the music, even though not everything resonates. In a world of fakes, RØRY stands out as someone who is everything she says she is. Everyone likes to claim that they’re authentic, but how many really are?

With naked emotion and powerful anthemic ion, RØRY comes screaming out of the blocks with if pain could talk, what would it say. The dichotomy between vocals that are smooth and heartfelt and vocals that are punky and punchy is very cool. This leads into In the Bible, the dramatic alternative melody becoming more prevalent, and WOLVES, where vulnerability meets confidence in style.

Not a preacher, not a pastor, I ain’t lived a righteous life
Just an addict on their knees with their face towards the light

Just one example of the exceptional lyrical content (In the Bible) that exists on this album, and where RØRY’s sincerity shines brightly.

Elsewhere, hold on draws from other areas of her musical life, such as hip-hop and rap. BLOSSOM is a triumphant track and one of the album’s most infectious listens. Sherlock Holmes has grand dramatic melodies and sees RØRY rock things up a bit more.

Then there is MORALITY $UICIDE, a track that sees RØRY divert from the album’s self-referential lyrical tone and take aim at the state of the world.

You took your faith and you burned it alive
You wrote your name in a phosphorus sky
Who cares who lives when you’ve already died

Alongside the anthemic SORRY I’M LATE, a track that will have every listener singing along loudly, and The Atheist, a highly melodic outro. One that has a fantastic spoken word section from RØRY explaining how things turned around for her. , this album is all about her journey and how she survived her experiences. Offering out a welcoming hand and showing the listener how it is possible.

Now, before I wrap this review up, you might have noticed that I skipped over a track, namely One Drink Away. I did this because I think it might be the most special track on the album from a honesty perspective. It should be clear by now that when RØRY has something to say, we all listen, and this track is incredibly raw and honest. Even if you can’t relate to it, you can feel the power and truth behind not just the lyrics, but the emotive melody. It’s short and to the point, but its impact is huge.

Sit back, listen, and experience an artist baring their soul in ways few have the strength to do. Restoration is very special, and so is RØRY.

RØRY – Restoration Track Listing:

1. if pain could talk, what would it say
2. In the Bible
3. WOLVES
4. hold on (ft. Roxanne Emery)
5. BLOSSOM
6. Sherlock Holmes
7. One Drink Away
8. MORALITY $UICIDE
9. SORRY I’M LATE
10. The Athiest

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