Royal & the Serpent has officially turned the page on a bold new era. The genre-bending singer-songwriter has announced her long-awaited debut album, Emptiness Is Godly, arriving May 8, 2026 via Atlantic Records. Alongside the announcement, she unveils a double single — “Favorite Person” and “Fiona.”
Serving as the emotional entry point into Emptiness Is Godly, both tracks introduce listeners to the album’s central character, known only as “R.” On “Favorite Person,” Royal delivers what she calls a “big reveal,” establishing the thematic backbone of the record. The song captures “R” entangled between two romances, navigating confusion, guilt, self-awareness, and remorse.
Meanwhile, “Fiona” leans into nostalgia, painting a softer yet equally complex portrait of “R.” Yearning, grief, hope, and benevolence swirl together in a track that feels both intimate and expansive.
In an interview with Melodic Magazine, Royal & the Serpent shares: “There’s been so much time now that’s elapsed while I’ve been working on this project since the last time I put out a full EP or anything,” she says. “I think in that time, not only have I grown as a person, separate from the music, but I think my tastes have evolved, and I feel like I’ve become a much more confident and happy person just in my life.”
The announcement follows a massive run of momentum. In 2025, Royal appeared on select dates of the sold-out Vans Warped Tour. To date, she has amassed over 900 million global streams, steadily approaching the billion-stream milestone. Her breakout single “Overwhelmed” achieved RIAA Gold certification and spent 22 weeks on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, while collaborations with artists like GAYLE and The Beaches.
Pre-orders and pre-saves for Emptiness Is Godly are available now, with “Favorite Person” and “Fiona” streaming everywhere.
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