Los Angeles-based duo Royal She is making waves with their genre-defying sound and undeniable energy. Comprising of powerhouse vocalist Alison Freed and multi-instrumentalist Alexandria Reyes, the pair effortlessly blends rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic elements into a fresh and vibrant style. Their latest single, “Karma”, showcases their unique ability to craft infectious anthems that leave listeners singing along while delivering a bold message of karmic justice. This acts as the follow-up to their previous single, “My Ex”.
Since their debut in 2019 with a standout cover of Billie Eilish’s “My Girl”, Royal She has steadily gained momentum, amassing over 100,000 Spotify streams and earning 10,000 monthly listeners. Now, with their debut album “Befores and Afters” set to release in early 2025, the duo is solidifying their place in the music scene. Ahead of this milestone, Alison Freed and Alexandria Reyes took some time out to discuss with us their new single “Karma”, their creative process, and what’s next for Royal She.
Your new single “Karma” has been described as a feel-good rock anthem with a playful take on retribution. What inspired the lyrics and overall theme of the track?
Alex: Shady ass people.
Alison: Hahaha. No further comment.
How did the two of you collaborate to create the dynamic sound on “Karma”? Can you tell us more about the process of blending your individual styles for this single?
Alex: Initially, as a joke. We did not take ourselves seriously when we wrote this song which took about 10 minutes to write. We started it off on an acoustic guitar, and the first words and melodies that poured out of Alison’s mouth are pretty much the song as it is now. We really brought it to life once we were in the studio with our producer Logan Mader.
Alison: We were in our rehearsal studio on one particularly difficult day. I remember my eyes and face being puffy from crying and I had written some lyrics and Alex started playing a swaggy riff. We happened to be recording a video as we wrote this song, and it just flowed into something that made us both laugh hysterically. As Alex mentioned, neither of us actually thought this song was going to be a real song on the album, but when our producer Logan heard it, he said it was a hit.
So, here we are! In regards to our styles, I think they just play off of each other and dance together no matter what we do. It’s a pretty powerful music and life connection and one of the greatest gifts of my life. It’s like we tap into some other realm and we’re both on the same frequency.
Royal She has received praise for fusing rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic elements. How do you approach mixing these genres, and is there a specific sound or vibe you aim for as a duo?
Alison: I remember in our old band being told to “find our sound” or our “niche” and to not sound like other bands. I remember racking my brain on that and honestly, I don’t think it’s something that you can just go out and find. I think it finds you. And if you try to force it, it probably comes off as disingenuous and people can feel that. I think when you’re ready, when you know who you are and you’re not doing it for anyone but yourself, that’s when it all comes together. We both are huge music lovers, and for a long time we were put in a box, and we probably put ourselves into a box in regards to genre.
Then when the world / music industry / life had broken us enough, we just didn’t care anymore because we were writing and recording and performing music that lit our souls on fire for us. And rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic and even rap are all a part of who we are. It’s pretty cool to see it come together so naturally and authentically. The songs on this album have flowed out of us faster than any ever have. It’s just seamless and organic and beautiful and healing.
Alex: Our love for all of these genres came through during the writing and production of our debut album. It’s a marriage of all our favorite musical artists—our goal is just to have fun with it. We don’t try to sound like anything or anyone, but it’s obvious that we have our fair share of influences.
Your 2019 cover of Billie Eilish’s “My Girl” really set the stage for your unique style. How has your sound evolved since then, and what can fans expect from your upcoming debut album “Befores and Afters”?
Alison: Our sound has evolved tremendously since then. We’ve lived a lot of life since 2019, as has the whole world. Our new songs really do that genre-bending we were talking about earlier there’s singing, screaming, rap, guitar solos, electronics. The songs take you on a journey, they’re so alive and multi-dimensional. You can expect a whole lot of the unexpected. There’s a rap song on the album.
“Karma” is clearly a track designed to empower listeners. Was there a specific experience or story behind the song that influenced its message of karmic justice?
Alison: Yes, my ex. And some others who probably know exactly who they are.
“Befores and Afters” is set to release in early 2025. Can you share any teasers about the themes or standout moments on the album, and how does “Karma” fit into the overall narrative?
Alison: The theme is a year from hell, the betrayals of a lifetime, the realignment for better, and most importantly—rising the fuck up from it all, healing, and making your world and the worlds of others a better place. The singles we’ve released are in chronological order and will continue to be. We’re just getting started.
Alex: “Karma” fits into the narrative of “Afters”, whereas “Befores”, was the experience of being taken advantage of, manipulated, or betrayed. “Karma” is about reclaiming power, knowing that the time is up for those who purposely hurt and bring others down.
Royal She has been compared to PVRIS and Paramore. Are there any artists or bands that have significantly influenced your music, or who you feel a particular kinship with artistically?
Alison: Oh, yes! TLC, Alanis Morrisette, Evanescence, Garbage, Snake River Conspiracy, Phantogram, Pink, Mumford and Sons, Deftones, Sabrina Carpenter and so many more.
Alex: Alison and I have a tendency to gravitate toward female-fronted bands and artists for obvious reasons. For me, my guitar influences have been Stephen Carpenter from the Deftones, John Fruciante, Radiohead and Muse, and most recently Sleep Token. My influences are all over the place but I definitely take them into account in my songwriting.
With over 100,000 Spotify streams and 10,000 monthly listeners, Royal She’s presence in the music industry is clearly on the rise. How does it feel to see your music reaching so many people, and what do you think has resonated most with listeners?
Alison: It’s honestly really incredibly exciting. I get even more excited about seeing how many people have favorited the songs, added them to playlists, and how many times they listen to the songs. I think this album and the songs we’ve released are resonating with listeners because it’s real and raw as fuck. Everyone can relate to being fucked over and most can also probably relate to having their hearts broken or being really down on life and trying to find a way through the pain. I think there’s something really healing about hearing someone else going through what you’ve gone through—that feeling of not being alone.
Alex: We’ve only released two songs from our new album prior to “Karma” and so far I’ve been happy with the ascent in listeners. “Karma” seems to be a fun tune that people like right away since it’s catchy and easy to sing along to. Ultimately our message is positive and has an empowering theme. We want the message of empowerment to resonate most when it comes to our music.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Karma” and your music in general? Is there a particular emotion or feeling you want to leave your fans with?
Alison: Yeah, to touch on it again—it’s about empowerment, healing, knowing you’re not alone through the tough stuff, and choosing hope and love. This life ain’t always easy (at all), but it’s worth it. For me “Karma” was about caring for myself and moving forward in my life—releasing all retribution to the universe.
Alex: To leave people feeling uplifted with the assurance that karma will come to those who have hurt them. We don’t wish anyone harm, but people reap what they sow. It’s sitting back and letting the universe do what it does best. It’s catchy, it’s repetitive, so why not have fun and sing and chant about it?
Your journey in music has been full of growth and exciting releases. What’s next for Royal She after “Karma” and “Befores and Afters”, and what are you most excited about as you look ahead?
Alison: We are so excited to hit the road and TOUR!
Thank you, Royal She, for answering our questions about your newly released single “Karma”, we’ve been hooked on it all day and can’t wait for everything you’ve got in store for us. We so hope we get to see you perform live on stage as “Karma” is going to sound amazing, let alone the full album!
With “Karma” already capturing the attention of fans, Royal She is poised for an exciting chapter in their musical journey. Their seamless fusion of genres, empowering lyrics, and growing fanbase prove that this dynamic duo is just getting started. Be sure to keep an eye out for their debut album, “Befores and Afters”, in early 2025—you won’t want to miss what they have in store.
“Karma”, by Royal She, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Freed Planet Records.