We Speak Music
Kristian King’s Prince Charming: A Soulful Journey of Love, Identity, and Self-Worth
In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary R&B and soul, authenticity is a currency that few artists truly master. Kristian King, a rising star from Toronto, has built his artistry on raw emotion and unapologetic self-expression. His latest single, Prince Charming, is not just a song—it’s a heartfelt declaration of self-worth, longing, and the journey to finding love both within and outside oneself.
A Personal and Universal Story
At its core, Prince Charming is an anthem of self-discovery, wrapped in smooth melodies and poignant lyricism. King, a young queer Black artist navigating his 20s, brings a deeply personal perspective to the track, using his music to explore themes of love, identity, and acceptance. “This track serves as a powerful reminder of my self-worth,” King shares. “It’s about understanding that before anyone can be a King, they must first embrace their identity as a Prince.”
This sentiment resonates throughout the song’s lyrics, which paint a picture of searching for something real in a world of distractions and superficial connections. Lines like “I’m in a room with people I don’t like, I’m looking for you in all of the lights” capture the feeling of isolation in a crowd, while the chorus emphasizes the deep desire for an authentic connection.
The Sound of Longing and Liberation
Sonically, Prince Charming is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. King’s smooth, expressive vocals glide over an ethereal R&B-infused production, creating a soundscape that feels both melancholic and hopeful. The track’s gentle instrumentation allows his voice and lyrics to take center stage, reinforcing the intimacy of the narrative. There’s an unmistakable push-and-pull between vulnerability and empowerment, as King shifts from longing for love to recognizing his own value.
The Symbolism of Royalty
One of the most compelling aspects of Prince Charming is its metaphor of royalty. The title itself challenges traditional fairytale narratives—rather than waiting for a rescuer, King redefines the idea of what it means to be ‘Prince Charming.’ The song suggests that before someone can truly step into their power (a King), they must first navigate the complexities of self-love and self-acceptance (a Prince). It’s a message that speaks to anyone on a journey of personal growth, making the track universally relatable.
A Bold Step Forward
Kristian King has consistently used his music as a platform for visibility and empowerment, and Prince Charming is no exception. As he continues to carve out space in the music industry, his work stands as a testament to the importance of authenticity in art. The single also sets the stage for his upcoming project, Delicate, which will further explore the trials and triumphs of young adulthood.
With Prince Charming, Kristian King offers more than just a song—he delivers an experience that is both deeply personal and widely resonant. It’s a reminder that self-worth is the foundation for all love, and that sometimes, the real magic isn’t in finding a ‘Prince Charming,’ but in becoming one for yourself.
Stream Prince Charming now on Spotify and all major platforms and follow @_kristianking_ on Instagram to stay tuned for more as he continues his musical journey.
We Speak Music
Luke Marzec releases warm soulful universally resonant anthem ‘Space To Be Free’
“Literal blue-eyed soul man Luke Marzec has the type of rich, booming, wise-beyond-its-years voice that’ll make you do a double take.” – KCRW.
“The best things in life cost nothing but time and space. Yet somehow, those are the very things we’re being priced out of,” says British multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter Luke Marzec about his new single ‘Space To Be Free’. The new track serves a dual purpose of continuing his buzzworthy momentum, as well as kicking off Side B of his debut album ‘Something Good Out of Nothing’. A unique release strategy in which he released the first half of his album independent of its critically hailed flipside (which was released digitally on March 26), this continuation deepens the album’s exploration of modern life, memory, and meaning. The full album will be released on vinyl, LP and re-introduced digitally with new artwork on August 18 via Swift Half Records.

A slow-burning, soulful anthem rooted in protest and poetic clarity, ‘Space To Be Free’ channels Marzec’s reflections on the U.K.’s economic inequality, digital alienation, and the quiet joys that capitalism often erodes (community, creativity, and stillness). Inspired by the classic sounds of soul and R&B and Bob Marley’s universal message of unity amidst the stark realities of present-day life in the UK, Marzec fuses warm analog textures, soulful vocals, and experimental production into a track that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant. “I started writing this song years ago, back when Theresa May was still in office,” he says. “Even then, I was feeling how distant real power had become. And now, with the obscene wealth gaps we’re seeing — between landlords, monarchs, tech giants, and the rest of us — the idea of simply having space to breathe, to be free, feels more radical than ever. We work more than ever, we own less, and the space to create, reflect, and connect has become a luxury, but these are the things that make life meaningful, and they shouldn’t be reserved for the few. This song is about reclaiming that.”
Luke burst onto the scene with his 2018 EP ‘Chances’ which received critical acclaim from publications such as DIY and The Line Of Best Fit and over the next couple of years he released two more EPs and gained writing and production experience co-writing with artists in the UK such as Maverick Sabre, VC Pines, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Jazzanova. He also featured on Johannes Brecht’s “Voicing Something” which was remixed by Adriatique. His Spotify page now has more than 15 million listens.
Fast forward to 2025 and ‘Space To Be Free’ looks set to turn heads again, following Luke’s recent singles ‘Growing Up With You’ and ‘I Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind’. The latter jumped straight into the Official Spotify Retro Soul playlist, receiving airplay from BBC Introducing, describing him as “The UK’s answer to Teddy Swims” (Daniel Pascoe, BBC Introducing South West).
‘Space To Be Free’ explores ideas of power and where it really resides, and what is left for the common people. In a world we are told is constantly “progressing,” it is ironic that given the labour saving advances in this latest modern era, what people really want (just a bit of time and space to make, to grow, to share) is becoming more and more unattainable. We now work longer and harder than in living memory, and most of us cannot even afford a home above our heads. All we want is a bit more time and space just for our own. We are not asking a lot; and this song explains it.
Luke is also one-third of London’s experimental modular synth-jazz group Lazy H and the Loose Cables, in which he plays the tenor sax and synthesiser. The trio have gigged with London’s Kinkajous, Mark Cake, Alabaster DePlume, Plumm and FlamingGods, and they released their first album Rotary Perception on Nottingham-based label Running Circles.
Catch Luke playing live in 2025:
8th August- The Barrel House, Totnes- ‘Something Good Out Of Nothing’ album launch.
9th August- Boardmasters Festival, Cornwall.
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