"Kings & Queens" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released as the fifth single from her upcoming debut studio albumHeaven & Hell on March 12, 2020, through Atlantic Records. The song was written by Max, Brett McLaughlin, Desmond Child, Hillary Bernstein, Jakke Erixon, Madison Love, Mimoza Blinsson, Cirkut, and RedOne. The latter two musicians also produced the track, which implemented an electric guitar alongside lyrics about women's empowerment. "Kings & Queens" received generally favorable reception from critics, who praised the production, guitar solo, and lyricism. The single peaked at number one in Israel, Latvia and Poland, while also charting in the top 10 in Scotland, Switzerland, Norway, and the Czech Republic. The music video was released on March 27, 2020, and is directed by Isaac Rentz. It features a Khaleesi inspired Max dancing in a heaven-themed throne room alongside a group of dancers, while also feasting at a banquet.
Background and development
"Kings & Queens" initially went through ten different iterations which included different melodies and production, before the final version was completed around August–September 2019. The single was first announced on February 27, 2020, where Max confirmed that producers Cirkut and RedOne, alongside songwriter Madison Love were involved with production. She later revealed the song's release date, along with the name and single artwork on March 7, 2020. "Kings & Queens" was written by Max, Brett McLaughlin, Desmond Child, Hillary Bernstein, Jakke Erixon, Love, Mimoza Blinsson, Cirkut, and RedOne. The latter two also produced the track. Max decided to include the electric guitar in the track to complement the pop electronic sound in her music. The song's chorus sampled the melody of Bonnie Tyler's 1986 song "If You Were a Woman ". She stated that "Kings & Queens" is about how it would be a better place if queens ruled the world, and likened it to her previous song "So Am I", acknowledging that it contained a similar message about women's empowerment.
Critical reception
"Kings & Queens" received generally favorable reviews from critics. Madeline Rothman of MTV News stated that Max sings about "breathing fire, getting a 'royalty high', and calling on men to start championing the queens" with a strong electric guitar solo, while Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone recognized the song's "pulsing verse and a dramatic hook peppered with regal synths", and compared the guitar solo to the discography of Queen. Mike Nied of Idolator noted that the single "highlights Ava’s ability to fill dance floors across the globe". Writing for Uproxx, Caitlin White described the lyrics as "a subtle tribute to the power of women and a call to action for men to support the queens in their life", while Heran Mamo of Billboard acknowledged that it compared chess moves to feminism; "In chess, the king can move one space at a time/ But queens are free to go wherever they like". Soundigest writer Andrew Chinikidiadi praised the transitions of the electric guitar riff into the bridge and the song's ending. However, he lamented the repetition and duration of the track.
Music video
A visualizer was released along with the song on March 12, 2020, which depicts Max as a queen holding a glass of champagne and sword, with a royal deck of cards. She confirmed on the song's release date that she already filmed the official music video, describing it as "very colorful, super fun, crazy dancing, and a big celebration", and likened it to a rainbow. The music video was released on March 27, 2020, and is directed by Isaac Rentz. Max is seen dancing in a heaven-themed throne room with a group of dancers, as she was inspired by Khaleesi from Game of Thrones and wanted to portray an Amazonian queen surrounded by warriors. Max and Rentz used a moodboard to list several ideas for the music video, while also maintaining a feminist theme. She would often text her ideas to him during the night to ensure that it would be perceived as "authentic and personal". The video opens with Max holding a sword between her legs as she sits on a golden throne. She then organizes a banquet, in which several dancers begin drinking champagne and eating food, before performing a dance sequence. During the pre-bridge guitar solo, the dancers wield electric axes.
