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Singer-songwriter Royal & the Serpent continues building her "royalverse" with the next installment of her RAT TRAP saga, RAT TRAP 4: the burden. The 4th volume in her monthly series of new songs explores a softer sonic palette with themes scoping many facets of love from unrequited to anxious and even avoidant, each telling a tale from Royal’s personal experiences with romance.

The opener, "u ruined frank ocean 4 me," is a relatable ballad about being unable to listen to a favorite artist after you and your partner split. Laced with bittersweet guitar riffs, muffled kick drum patterns, and hushed vocals, she sings, "I'll be fine, it's undefined/ I'm always such a sucker/ Loves a drug/ So take a good look," further lamenting that her ex spoiled one of her favorite artists and that she, "I can't handle one more melody."

The short body of work switches gears and transports listeners to “separation anxiety.” Giving listeners a taste of self-sabotage and a graceful air of acceptance and apology, the acoustic guitar-led track is a raw piece that sees Royal grapple with herself and her insecurities. On the chorus, echoing harmonies lull, "I’m sorry, I’m trying, I’m trying to love you/ Forgive me, I’m trying, I’m trying to love you," reducing us to tears as she expresses she's doing her best. The music video, which accompanies the EP's release," sees Royal on set ballet dancing as she stands in a raining warehouse. The concept is impactful, mirroring the simplicity and emotion in the powerful track.

The collection's closer, "oops," tells a story of regrettable intimacy with light-hearted and quirky instrumentals fueled by twinkling piano lines and tongue-in-cheek lyricism. She details the hardships of wanting more in a no-strings-attached situation and wanting to maintain a distance to not hurt the other person, which becomes increasingly difficult after she reveals that she let them produce all of her new songs. Oops.

The fourth part of the ongoing series follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, starting this spring with the premiere of the saga’s first chapter, RAT TRAP I: the blueprint, featuring “Astroturf“ and the powerfully inspiring LGBTQ+ anthem, “One Nation Underdogs.” RAT TRAP 2: the burn followed in June, and the latest RAT TRAP 3: the band-aid.

Having recently earned applause supporting artists such as Demi Lovato and Fall Out Boy, Royal & the Serpent will celebrate the RAT TRAP saga and much more on her first-ever North American headline tour. The dates begin October 14 at Phoenix, AZ’s Crescent Ballroom and continue through a November 18 tour finale at Los Angeles, CA’s The Roxy. Highlights include stops at Nashville, TN’s Exit/In on October 21, Brooklyn, NY’s Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 30, and Denver, CO’s Bluebird Theater on November 10.

Check out Royal & The Serpent's latest release, RAT TRAP 4: the burden, today!