When you are a music fan, you want to be able to grow with an artist. You want to see not only growth, but also the ability and desire to take the risk of doing something a little bit different, taking things up a notch. Mirrors and Smoke, Royce Diamond’s most recent album, turns a corner and ups the ante of what Royce has achieved both lyrically and in terms of production. Mirrors and Smoke is his debut album from his new production company Random Acts of Music (RAOM); it is his fifth released overall. Last year’s Signal Flow was quick to highlight popular singles “The Dotte” and “Move Back” – two clever, catchy tracks as part of an overall solid album. However, Mirrors and Smoke represents more of a complete production. The twelve songs off this album, while strong as singles, may feel a bit incomplete without the other tracks surrounding them. Royce has recruited the talents of performers Stitch, Louiz Rip, thePhantom* and RAOM’s Ides to accompany him on various tracks. He has carefully chosen which lyrics, beats and sounds create the best combination. Many songs played on the radio right now spotlight collaborations based on artist popularity only, while Royce has carefully crafted his featured artists to create the perfect addition, just the right complement to his sound. Fans, old and new, will appreciate the consistent growth Royce reflects with each new project he grinds out. Although he continues to perfect his craft by introducing new elements and constantly giving us something fresh to listen to, make no mistake about it, when you hear the music you know it’s Royce Diamond. He has a significant style and sound that sets him apart and makes it exciting for his fans to hear what he’ll come up with next.