ROYA: Emotive Synth-Pop Sounds from Denmark
ROYA is an upcoming electronic pop act with a crisp modern sound. In a world full of needless angst and flex, this Danish duo creates emotional songs full of joy and wonder. ROYA is a collaborative project comprised of singer-songwriter Line Gade and producer Sebastian Igens. They create a sweet sound with strong pop sensibilities, pulling at the heartstrings with honest lyrics and widescreen production. If you like playful pop music twisted with electronics and longing, ROYA might become your new favorite band.
Let’s discover the stories and songs of this exciting young pop duo.
Who is ROYA?
Hailing from the Danish city of Aarhus, ROYA is one of the most promising acts in the entire Scandinavian scene. Fronted by two curious and highly creative minds, they have set themselves apart over recent years with their blissful version of electronic pop.
Singer and songwriter Line Gade leads the line with ROYA, with her intimate vocals delivered with sensitivity and style. She is backed by producer Sebastian Igens, a maestro in the studio who specializes in forward-thinking productions. This unassuming duo has found the perfect musical synergy, with emotive vocals placed with sensitivity in a sparkling electro background. In the studio, ROYA combines live drum pads and grid sequencers with dreamy atmospherics and vocal effects.
Breakout single and performance
ROYA has been releasing music since 2022, slowly building a fan base in Denmark and beyond. They exploded in popularity with their 2024 release, “Cruise,” which made huge waves on social media and streaming services around the world.
Their remarkable talent was also recognized at the Skanderborg Festival (Smukfest), one of Denmark’s premier music events. ROYA performed onstage at the festival after winning the coveted LiveCamp band competition. Despite being relatively unknown at the time, they were a major festival highlight for many attendees.
Music releases
As a young act, ROYA is gaining more public recognition all the time. They already have lots of great music behind them, however, having released a number of singles and even a short film. The following recordings deserve special mention:
Dawn/Day
This is ROYA’s latest release, and it’s already making big waves on social media. “Dawn/Day” was written by the duo and published by Big Cat Publishing (KODA). With lyrics like “Don’t live the day and don’t sleep the night” and “I long for the pulse of now,” this track is an epic musical voyage made with a great sense of spirit. ROYA’s fans convinced the band to release “Dawn/Day” as a single after singing it with great gusto during a recent Copenhagen show.
The production is tight on this number, and the electronic sounds and vocals create a real sense of levity. The video by themmg is also on point, with this understated production letting the lyrics do all the talking. The social media release by the band says it all: “The Clappy Feet can’t keep down the excitement! Dawn/Day is finally out! We are art deco – we move as one, the floors an echo of when we’re gone. Belong to break of dawn. Hope you like it.”
Feel Something
This song was released in mid-2023, and it put ROYA in the global spotlight. “Feel Something” is playful, soulful, and full of bright emotions. This song has a breezy summer vibe and was even voted The Sound of Summer on Danish radio station P3. Along with sounding and feeling fresh, this track also showcased the band’s wider artistic ambition. The video for “Feel Something” is the first part of a short film called Dear Space.
According to Line Gade, “The first chapter states the brave act of chasing love but under the surface it’s a story of loss and deprivation. We wanted to play with contrasts visually between the apparently sad mood of the main character whom I play…We love this nostalgic vintage universe with the defined contrasts…Despite the darkness in my character, she’s definitely giving herself a try.”
Cruise
This track starts with a strong bass line, setting the vibe with a deep and emotional chord progression. Line Gade’s beautiful vocals enter the mix early on, with reverb added for a distinct emotional quality. The vocals are then broken down in a “trance gate” style familiar to electronic music lovers. Synthetic drums also play an important role in “Cruise,” driving the song forward below Gade’s dreamy vocals. “Cruise (Extended Version)” was released in September 2024, accompanied by a great music video set at the beach.
Falling (D’Opera)
“Falling (D’Opera)” is a dreamy synth-pop track composed by Line Gade, Rasmus Claudius Trinderup, and Sebastian Igens. It’s an absolute delight from start to finish, with the duo’s minimal instrumentation delivering maximum emotion. Gade’s vocals on this number resonated with lots of listeners, including many who don’t usually appreciate electronic music.
This song has all the familiar ROYA elements, including dreamy atmospheres, stuttered vocal gates, and light but driving electronic drums. Once again, this track has a memorable music video. Live from the Sky was filmed from a hot air balloon, perfectly encapsulating the free-floating sound and uplifting spirit of the ROYA sound.
Kinda Sad
“Kinda Sad” is a delicate synth-pop song with a dreamy sound. ROYA’s unique musicality is on full display on this track, which is both contemplative and enthralling. Gade’s sweet voice and Igens’ crispy synths are somewhat reminiscent of CHVRCHES, one of the bands that started the modern synth-pop revival. This song has a massive chorus that balances nicely with the intense yet relatable lyrics.
According to Gade herself, “It’s written out of the embarrassment of finding yourself drunk and alone, longing for someone you know isn’t good for you anymore. Lyrically, we wanted to dive into those suppressed feelings to give them a life of their own. The song is a reminder to anyone in this messed up situation, that sometimes it’s more than okay to be by yourself and feel kinda sad.”
National Anthem
It might not be a single or even an original, but this song deserves special mention. The city of Herning hosted the Danish Sport 2024 awards show in early 2025, and ROYA was asked to play a beautiful interpretation of the Danish national anthem. His Majesty the King of Denmark was in attendance, which was a great honor for Line Gade and Sebastian Igens.
Upcoming concerts
If you want to experience ROYA live, there are European shows already booked this summer. They have already proved themselves at Smukfest and Sport 2024, and now they’re ready to take on the world. The duo just wrapped up their UK tour, performing their first-ever shows as a headlining act. With stage experience now behind them, this exciting band is looking forward to a great summer ahead back in Scandinavia.
They’re set to play at the NorthSide festival on June 5-7, which takes place in Viby J, Denmark. Alongside ROYA, you can soak up wonderful sounds by Raye, Weezer, Lukas Graham, Chase & Status, and Denzel Curry. A few weeks later, the Danish duo will hit the stage at the Tinderbox festival. This weekender is held on June 26-28 at Odense SV, Denmark. Lukas Graham is on the bill here too, along with Green Day, Artemas, Natasha Bedingfield, and Kylie Minogue. More festivals and shows will be added for late 2025, so check ROYA’s socials for more information.
If you like dreamy pop music made with synths and emotions, check out ROYA on your favorite streaming services. This Danish duo is ready to take on the world, and they want you to be part of the journey. If you’re in the industry and want ROYA for your next party, booking details are included below:
WW: james.whitting@teamwass.com
DK: jonas@unitedstage.dk
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