Lou Roy unveils otherworldly alt-pop single “Valkyrie”
Nodding to mythological figures with her peacock swagger, “Valkyrie” showcases Lou Roy’s free-spirit and one-of-a-kind artistry.
LA-based singer-songwriter Lou Roy stands out from the crowd with her authentic and innovative creations. Embracing elements of folk, jazz, and soul to make her unique alt-pop sound, her inspirations are found in other artists who also don’t quite fit the mould, such as Fiona Apple and Joni Mitchell.
Raised in the LA suburb of Topanga Canyon, Roy pens coming-of-age narratives with a significant focus on vocal performance – with new release “Valkyrie” being a showcase of her playful character.
On the surface, “Valkyrie” has a playful nature, opening with an intimate beat played on a water bottle preceding silvery vocals that evoke pure bliss. Echoing such ambience in the accompanying homemade-style lyric video, it visualises Roy embracing the track’s rhythm while cruising through mountainous scenery in the bed of a pickup truck on an empty winding road.
Darker themes are revealed within the song’s introspective lyrics, which see Roy join forces with the “Valkyrie”; a powerful host of female figures in Norse mythology, to battle with her feelings of anger towards past trauma.
“The song began with me tapping my water bottle while listening to my buddies have a conversation around me,” Roy shares. “It was called “water bottle birthday beat” for months, until one night in July I got high and decided to just put the beat on loop and improvise lyrics.
“I had a panic attack a few days before and had recounted that in the opening line, and from there I just decided to go stream of consciousness based on that. Apparently, I was feeling angry and vengeful – the rest of what came out was all about embracing rage.”
“Then in a sudden shift of perspective, I noticed I wanted peace and quiet and asked myself, “hey man, whatcha doin? Come on back, I need you movin!”. It was a gentle request to please not be so upset, I’m scaring me!”
The change in narrative is further emphasised in the outro of “Valkyrie”, as Roy repeats the word “return” like a mantra - serving as an affirmation to put the past to rest and move forward. Ending the track on a liberating note, she, to her own description, “slay[s] all those fuckers who have hurt me in the past.”
- IDLES to headline Bristol’s Queen Square for their only UK shows of 2025
- Listen to never-before-heard versions of George Harrison's “Be Here Now”
- Freddie Gibbs drops surprise album, You Only Die 1nce
- Laura Mvula and Corinne Bailey Rae to perform at Southbank Centre x Montreux Jazz Festival Residency celebrating Nina Simone
- Fontaines D.C. share Andrea Arnold-directed video for "Bug" starring Barry Keoghan
- DOVES unveil "Renegade" as first new music in four years and announce forthcoming album, Constellations For The Lonely
- Iggy Pop announces headline show at Alexandra Palace
Get the Best Fit take on the week in music direct to your inbox every Friday