Alternative artist Royal & the Serpent has announced her debut album, Emptiness Is Godly, arriving May 8 through Atlantic Records. To celebrate the announcement, she released the new singles “Favorite Person” and “Fiona,” giving fans their first look at the conceptual world behind the project. She also premiered the official music video for “Favorite Person,” expanding the album’s story through cinematic visuals.
Welcome to the World of “R”
Instead of presenting a traditional collection of songs, Emptiness Is Godly follows a central narrative built around a mysterious character known simply as “R.” Each track explores a different emotional chapter, allowing listeners to experience the story as it unfolds.
Royal & the Serpent describes “Favorite Person” as the emotional foundation of the album. The song introduces “R” as she wrestles with complicated feelings between two relationships while confronting confusion, guilt, remorse, and growing self-awareness. “Fiona” shifts the focus toward memory and reflection, exploring nostalgia through themes of hope, grief, yearning, and kindness.
Together, the two singles establish the tone for the album while highlighting Royal & the Serpent’s signature alternative sound, emotionally honest songwriting, and cinematic storytelling. Fans can visit Royal & the Serpent’s website to pre-order Emptiness Is Godly and learn more about the upcoming release.
Building Toward a Defining Debut
The announcement follows another busy year for Royal & the Serpent. In 2025, she joined select dates of the sold-out Vans Warped Tour and released the fan favorites “Young As This” and “Euphoria.” Those releases continued to build momentum for an artist who has carved out a unique space within alternative music.
Her catalog has generated more than 900 million global streams, bringing her within reach of the one billion milestone. Throughout her career, she has shared the stage with artists including Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, Demi Lovato, and Bring Me The Horizon. Her breakout single “Overwhelmed” earned RIAA Gold certification and spent 22 weeks on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart. Meanwhile, “Wasteland,” which appeared on the Arcane: League of Legends soundtrack, has surpassed 115 million global streams and earned her a performance at The Game Awards in 2024.
Royal & the Serpent continues to embrace vulnerability as the driving force behind her music. She often describes songwriting as a form of personal healing, and that honesty continues to resonate with an audience that has grown alongside every release. With Emptiness Is Godly, she expands that approach into a larger narrative that blends emotional depth with immersive world-building.
The arrival of “Favorite Person” and “Fiona” marks only the beginning of that journey. If the opening singles offer any indication, Emptiness Is Godly looks poised to become Royal & the Serpent’s most ambitious project to date.
Stream “Favorite Person” and “Fiona,” watch the official music video for “Favorite Person,” and pre-order Emptiness Is Godly ahead of its May 8 release.
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