''Let Love Rule'' is the seventh studio album by Australian singer songwriter

Archie Roach Archibald William Roach (8 January 1956 – 30 July 2022) was an Australian singer, songwriter and Aboriginal activist. Often referred to as "Uncle Archie", Roach was a Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder who campaigned for the rights of Abori ...

. The album was released in November 2016 and peaked at number 24 on the

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and became Roach's highest charting album to date. Upon release Roach said "I wanted to write about love, or a willingness to love all people. We are closing ourselves off and not letting people in. And not just in the sense of not letting them into the country, but not letting them into our hearts, into our minds. Many of the songs on the album are really a call for understanding." At the

ARIA Music Awards of 2017 The 31st Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply The ARIAs) are a series of award ceremonies which include the 2017 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fine ...

, the album was nominated for

ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album The ARIA Music Award for Best Blues and Roots Album, is an award presented at the annual ARIA Music Awards, which recognises "the many achievements of Aussie artists across all music genres", since 1987. It is handed out by the Australian Recor ...

Background

The 18-month creative process of ''Let Love Rule'' saw Roach travelling from a modest inner-Melbourne recording studio to the Melbourne Recital Centre and back to his mother's Gunditijmara country. Roach reuniting with producer Craig Pilkington who worked on '' Into the Bloodstream'' in 2012, the spiritual work encapsulates a soulful production style and a vocal performance that is unparalleled.

Reception

Jack Latimore from ''

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'' gave the album 8.5 out of 10 saying "Archie Roach's new album ''Let Love Rule'' is a complex, textured offering that reaches orchestral heights, often from minimal, pensive beginnings." adding "Lyrically, ''Let Love Rule'' is imbued with human compassion, mutual respect, and spiritual exhortations." Latimore said "The minimalistic, melancholic yet hopeful "Always Be Here".. is a standout track, along with the elated west-mex "Love Is Everything"." Paul Barr from Reading said "Musically, ''Let Love Rule'' is Roach's most varied and adventurous affair yet." adding "Album opener and title track "Let Love Rule" begins with piano, a strong gospel feel, and pretty much outlines the lyrical themes of the album: the power of love over hate and darkness, and Roach's love for all people." Jason Whyte from Arts Review said "''Let Love Rule'' is not about to push contemporary music in any new direction or pose any awkward questions to the listener. Still, Roach shows himself to be a resilient performer and personality, following a series of personal hardships."

Background

Reception

Track listing

Charts

Release history

References