On the Dial | King Princess
In an age where queer pop music teeters between muted and exploitative, King Princess is refreshingly sincere. King Princess released her debut single 1950 a few months ago and has gained the attention of Charlie XCX, Harry Styles, and Perfume Genius (she even remixed his song "Run Me Through"). King Princess is the first act to sign a deal with Zelig Records, the label founded by Mark Ronson.
1950 is a song about unrequited love and pays homage to the hidden desire of queer love of that time period. Her husky voice tells listeners: “I hate it when dudes try to chase me, but I love it when you try to save me.” The intense longing in the lyrics is perfectly paired with the slow, dreamy beat of a 1950s love ballad. It’s impossible to listen to without swaying your hips.
The artist deals with heartbreak in her follow up single, Talia:
“I can see you dancing, I can lay down next to you
At the foot of my bed
If I drink enough
I can taste your lipstick, I can lay down next to you
But it's all in my head
If I drink enough I swear that I will wake up next to you.”
The video for Talia is mesmerizing; it’s an emotional ride through the perpetual fear of loneliness and how we often fill that void with something equally empty. Actor, activist, and friend of the artist, Amandala Stenberg was the editor and colorist for the video that follows King Princess and the doll as they roll around as lovers do.
King Princess gives you the radio-ready pop your queer heart desires without sacrificing authenticity. Her EP dropped a few weeks ago and I've had it on repeat ever since. You can bop to her music on Spotify or Soundcloud.
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