Southampton pop-punk outfit Royals are turning heads once again with Fever, serving up irresistible grooves and a fiery sax solo wrapped up in their classic pop punk style.
Driven by funky guitar riffs and a groove-laced beat, Fever blends Royals’ pop-punk core with new flavors that push their sound into fresh territory. The track leans into swagger and fun, featuring Gabi Rose (Enrose, Bilmuri) who brings an electrifying saxophone solo that takes the energy sky-high.
“Fever is one of those songs that felt different from the very start,” shares vocalist Luke Smithson. “It’s got this groove that we don’t usually lean on, but it still feels very ‘us.’ When Gabi came in with the sax, it just elevated everything and it was like, okay, this is Royals but with a whole new twist.”
Lyrically, Fever is probably Royals at their cheekiest. It tells a story of instant attraction, lust, and longing, framed through the heat and chaos of desire. “It’s definitely our most risqué track so far,” the band admit. “It’s about that overwhelming spark when you meet someone and you’re burning up with it, not knowing if it’s a one-time thing or if the spark can last. There’s playfulness in there, but also vulnerability. It’s us leaning into something different and having fun with it.”
“It’s definitely the cheekiest song we’ve ever written,” says guitarist Will Sherlock. “We wanted it to feel fun and confident, like capturing that exact moment of meeting someone and just knowing there’s something there. It’s a little wild, a little risky, and that’s what makes it exciting.”
Alongside the release, Fever sets the stage for the announcement of Royals’ long-awaited debut album High Stakes & Heartaches. The record will be arriving early 2026 — marking a huge moment for the band as they raise the bar higher than ever. Fans have already been enjoying a steady stream of singles this year, from the double drop return of Killer and Spinning Out, to Royals’ fastest streamed song to date in Good For Me, and the groove-driven ‘Fever’, it’s been very clear something bigger has been coming.
After playing a handful of shows at the start of 2024, the boys set aside the rest of the year to write and perfect their debut album.
“We’ve been working towards this record for a long time,” says vocalist Luke Smithson. “It’s the most ambitious thing we’ve ever done — sonically, emotionally, everything. We wanted to take everything we’ve learned over the years and push it further than we ever have before.”
After a busy 2023 on the road, Royals deliberately stepped back to focus on writing and perfecting the album. “We’d spent so much time touring that we’d never really had the space to build something as big as this,” shares drummer Tom Trowbridge. “Once we got into the studio with no outside pressures, it all clicked. The songs came together in a way that just felt right.”
Across the run of singles so far, from the gritty bite of Killer and Spinning Out to the sleek, fresh energy of Good For Me and the pop shimmer of Getaway, Royals have hinted at the breadth of what’s to come. High Stakes & Heartaches brings those worlds together into something cohesive, packed with big hooks, bold moments, and a few curveballs along the way. And in spite of all that sonic variance, the most surprising thing about the album might be its 13-track length.
“In a time where most bands are cutting things shorter, and focus on singles, we wanted to do the opposite,” says bassist Tom Guildford. “We grew up loving albums that felt like an era and a journey, and that’s what we set out to make. You consistently see bands touring anniversary shows for iconic, defining albums, yet, it feels like the industry is pushing people not to write them anymore? So that’s what we decided to try and create for ourselves. Every song earned its place and is part of the story and sound. If we were going to make our debut album, we wanted it to feel like a real album, start to finish.”
The band say that this album represents everything that they’ve gone through as a band and as people. There are highs, lows, and everything in between, but at the heart of it is us taking a risk and going all in. It’s called High Stakes & Heartaches for a reason.
With Fever lighting the fuse, their debut album promises to be Royals at their boldest. A record built from resilience, growth and ambition. It’s the sound of a band who’ve found their stride, and are ready to bet everything on it.
About Royals
Royals are a four-piece pop-punk band from Southampton, UK, crafting modern, high-energy anthems with big hooks and emotional punch, perfect for singing and screaming along to in sweaty venues.
Formed in 2019, they’ve already clocked over a million streams, landed spots on major Spotify editorial playlists like Pop Punk’s Not Dead and New Punk Tracks, and picked up widespread radio support from BBC Radio 1, Kerrang! and Idobi Radio.
Their second EP “A Spark to Ignite”, produced by Neck Deep’s Seb Barlow, saw Royals named by Alternative Press as one of the “Top 10 Rising UK Pop Punk Bands.” In 2024, they were shortlisted for Kerrang! and Marshall Records’ The Deal, making it to the final 10 for a coveted slot at Download Festival.
With a sound that blends classic pop punk energy with modern production and a high-end polished sound, Royals continue to carve out their place as one of the most exciting new bands in the UK scene. They’ve worked with top-tier producers including Sam Guaiana (Holding Absence, Bearings), Jon Lundin (Good Charlotte), Clint Murphy (Enter Shikari, Busted), Grant Berry (All Time Low, Stand Atlantic), and shared stages with ROAM, WSTR, Skindred, Sleep Token, As December Falls and more.
After a heavy touring run that included sold-out headline dates and festival appearances, the band stepped back in 2024 to breathe creatively. Not to reinvent themselves, but define it. The result is a new wave of Royals: louder, catchier, and more honest.
“This year is all about taking it up a level,” the four-piece add. “We did a lot of growing in 2024 – both personally and creatively. 2025 is about bringing that out into the world, and we’re ready to go harder than ever.”
SOURCE: Official Bio
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