"[4] The band began teasing new music on Instagram on 12 May 2023,[5] with the first in a series of videos being released showing work being done in the studio, such as demos of new riffs.

[16] Erica Campbell of NME described it as "an album that highlights the band's rock and roll instincts, self-knowledge and ability to generate something new with a bass, drums and zero hand holding".

[21] Finlay Holden of The Line of Best Fit called Back to the Water Below "simultaneously a refinement and expansion of the Royal Blood formula" as well as "a short and snappy experience".

[17] DIY's Sarah Jamieson felt that the duo "mov[e] away from the more shallow-sounding confines of its predecessor" and "manage to make a return to the towering riffs that populated their early releases, while adding some much-needed dynamism".

[14] All lyrics are written by Mike Kerr; all music is composed by Royal BloodRoyal Blood Guest musicians Technical