Royals // Vitamin String Quartet – Naomi Akintola
In an internet age that streams and consumes TV shows faster than a wink of an eye, Reign (2013) makes a memorable impression. Composer Trevor Morris expertly plays with the audience’s minds. One excellent example covers Lola and Lord Julien’s wedding in Season one. The sudden sense of familiarity arises as you scramble your brain attempting to identify the song. Released in the same year as Reign, Lorde’s song ‘Royals’ transcends time and fuses the 16th century with the 21st.
From the Romans to now, music is rooted in our culture. By integrating pop songs into a historical context, Reign merges our two worlds together. Audiences are warmly invited to share the same emotions as the happy couple. Unlike many ‘royals’ who have ruled over the centuries, very few have married for genuine love. The background instrumental’s delicate irony reminds viewers the couple have found a privilege nobility were not often rewarded. The string quartet cover of ‘Royals’ flawlessly narrates the scene. Spectators are left floating between worlds and our ears perk up with every note. Although the fine details of a plot may fade away, music leaves us with a lasting memory. Music connects us to our past.