Ava Max sheds her princess of pop title and crowns herself among elevated “Kings & Queens” in her new single about reviving chivalry.
The noble breakup anthem serves as an ode “to all of the queens who are fighting alone,” as the chorus expresses. The 26-year-old pop star singlehandedly slashes the “damsel in distress” trope with a sword that’s bigger than her ex’s, which she clearly illustrates on the song’s cover art with a saber hanging down from her pelvis.
But Max’s moves only get better throughout the song, stating chess rules as if they are feminist codes: “In chess, the king can move one space at a time/ But queens are free to go wherever they like.”
The song’s comic-like visualizer captures the royal narrative with a deck of cards, featuring Max as the queen sporting half-short, half-long blond locks cascading underneath her crown. Alternating between carrying a champagne glass and sword, the “Sweet But Psycho” singer is more than ready to celebrate and slay 2020 with more new music on the way. “Kings & Queens” will be featured on her highly anticipated debut studio album, due later this year.
Watch the “Kings & Queens” visual below.
