Recommended Tracks: “Death Do Us Part,” “Young As This,” “Favorite Person,” “Shampoo”
Artists You May Like: Ashnikko, GAYLE, Beauty School Dropout
If you’re looking for an album that explores the ups and downs of the human experience, beauty in stillness, and an ongoing search for tranquility, you’re in the right place.
The alternative-pop project of Ryan Santiago, Royal & the Serpent (RATS), thrives in the epicenter of chaos and calm on her debut record, Emptiness Is Godly. Released via Atlantic Records in May, the project keeps listeners on their toes by delivering a delicate melody one moment, and then launching in a burst of brash emotion the next. It captures the emotional turmoil of relationships, self-awareness, regret, and hope — all things about simply being human.
The concept album introduces listeners to “R,” the character and narrator who carries fans through the 17-track story. A somewhat fictionalized version of Santiago herself, R sings about experiences of love and loss, her voice like an angel that could cut with a sword. Through Emptiness Is Godly, R finds a balance between protecting herself from the pain of her past and pushing through to gain life experience despite her fears.
A compelling spoken-word track, the opening song “Pulling Teeth” immediately establishes the project’s identity. It misleads the listener into a sense of calm before a bold beat comes bursting through, setting the tone for everything that follows. The outro almost spoils the conclusion of the story, demonstrating that Royal & the Serpent is not holding back on this project:
“The sun’ll come out tomorrow, I’m proud of who I am / There’s more to you and me than we could ever understand / The sun’ll come out tomorrow, I’ll stay to see the proof / And even if it doesn’t, I’ve got nothing left to lose.”
“Death Do Us Part” is a standout on the album, embracing the alternative-electronic sound and exploration of visceral emotions she has become known for, while still progressing her sound. It’s practically the epitome of the new era of Royal & the Serpent, establishing the vibe that carries both the theme and sonic atmosphere of Emptiness Is Godly.
Emptiness Is Godly does not slow down here: the mesmerizing beat drop in “Carry Me Home” immediately demands attention, while RATS’ vocals seem to cry out most impressively. “Young as This” injects the same burst of energy, showcasing the larger-than-life feel of this chapter in RATS’ discography. “Euphoria” does just about the same, exploring the desperation to feel everything in a big burst atop a catchy, danceable beat.
The relationship-centered trio of “Fiona,” “Favorite Person,” and “Shampoo” could be a heavy one if you’re reminiscing on a recently ended relationship. Though short, “Fiona” packs a punch with dreamy harmonies and gives a name to the person (or perhaps, the personification of said person) R sings about in the songs to follow.
The thread continues into “Favorite Person,” with a more stripped-back, singer-songwriter vibe that finds R reflecting on a relationship she damaged and the guilt that follows. The memorable chorus provides a somber reflection on causing pain to someone you would never mean to cause harm to:
“I’m sorry, baby, that I kissed somebody else / Oh, it sounded so poetic, but that’s not how it felt / And I tried pushing you away, but you just wouldn’t let me go / You could have broke my heart, we both know I deserved it / But, oh, I never meant to hurt my favorite person / No, I never meant to hurt my favorite person.”
“Shampoo” continues to strike a chord. Among the album’s most heartbreaking moments, it explores how relationships can linger in the mundane aspects of life. It’s not always the mention of someone from your past that hurts the most, but instead, the songs that play or the bottle of shampoo left in your shower that acts as the punch to the gut. RATS also captures the messiness and confusion of wondering which you miss more: the specific person, or simply not being alone:
“I’m still holdin’ on to the memories, it’s the reason I’m here awake / In the middle of the night / Oh, do I miss you? / Or am I lonely? / I don’t know the difference lately / It’s like me minus one is you / I’ve been driving myself crazy / I’m still using your shampoo / And I don’t know.”
Connecting to later in the album, “There Used To Be Love” is one of the project’s strongest lyrical moments, perfectly summarizing the bittersweet reflection of watching a once beautiful relationship fade away. It’s a terrible feeling to recognize the spark that once was, yet all that was loved is now lost.
Snapping the listener out of the calm and back into the album’s true intensity, we approach the second half of Emptiness Is Godly, beginning with the abrupt (and welcomed) switch-up in “Intermission (Boon’s Interlude)” and the electronic anguish of “Bleed For It.”
Continuing the exploration of love, loss, and uncertainty, we reach the final stretch of the project. “I’m Sorry” wrestles with the fear of repeating old habits and choosing to protect oneself rather than get in the line of fire. “Ponyboy” delivers a contrasting perspective in suggesting embracing life and taking risks; you only live once, so you may as well get “wild for the night.”
The final track, “The House We Built Is Burning,” does not end the album in a neat bow, but rather closes the story in a way it calls for: by accepting that some endings simply hurt, but it’s better “to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.” Relationships, grief, and uncertainty can all be bittersweet, yet the lyrics showcase the idea that bad experiences can be transformed into something beautiful, and you can find the divine in the pain:
“I wish I could say something profound / Something that makes the pain sound like poetry / But the end of something isn’t always the beginning / Sometimes it’s tragic / Not all pain is meant for art / It doesn’t have to be beautiful / It doesn’t have to be anything / Sometimes the best you can do is sit back and watch it burn.”
Emptiness Is Godly is a cohesive, ambitious debut record that showcases Royal & the Serpent’s true talent while she continues to evolve and at the same time remain true to her roots. This album is for those who feel deeply and need to let it all out: choosing between a scream or a whisper doesn’t exist here; you get the best of both worlds.
Royal & the Serpent is an incredible example of resilience, showing that no matter what happens, you can always pick up the pieces and come back stronger than ever.
Royal & the Serpent is currently on her Emptiness Is Godly Tour, making stops in the United States this June, and the UK/EU in September. Remaining tickets and more information are available here.
RATS will also perform at Twenty One Pilots’ All Points East music festival in London, UK, on August 30, sharing the stage with Wunderhorse, Ren, Gang of Youths, bbno$, and more. Tickets and more information are available here.
Royal & the Serpent 2026 Tour Dates:
6/25 – Austin, TX – Brushy Street Commons
6/26 – Dallas, TX – Puzzles Deep Ellum
6/28 – Tucson, AZ – 191 Toole
6/30 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
8/30 – London, UK – All Points East*
8/31 – London, UK – The Lower Third
9/2 – Manchester, UK – Yes Manchester
9/4 – Paris, FR – Les Étoiles
9/5 – Cologne, DE – Yuca Club
9/6 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
*Indicates music festival
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