Rachel Reale – Princess of Neptune
Philadelphia’s high priestess of indie pop returns with her spellbinding new single and video “Princess of Neptune.”
This marks Rachel Reale’s first release since 2024’s “The Real World”, opening the door to a more expansive and emotionally raw chapter – sonically, spiritually, and thematically.
“Princess of Neptune is about how it feels to leave someone you’ve been with for a long time,” Reale shares. “Even when you know it’s for the best, it’s absolutely terrifying to realize you’re on your own.”
Rooted in themes of heartbreak, self-reclamation, and the mystical pull of the ocean, “Princess of Neptune” blends siren-like melodies, vocoder textures, and hip-hop influenced drums into a soundscape that feels both cinematic and intimate. “The studio version uses a lot of sonic elements I’ve never experimented with before… It felt really special to use all these sounds I’ve always loved in a new way that feels authentic to me and my art.”
Reale has been writing this song since she was 15, but it began taking final shape four years ago in the aftermath of a breakup. The title pays tribute to a nickname she shared with her ex: “He thought Neptune was his real home, and I called him the Prince of Neptune. Using that title felt like a good way to explain how it felt to be alone, a queen without a king.”
Told through a surreal, nonlinear narrative, the video follows Reale’s symbolic journey from a deteriorating house to the sea, encountering ghosts of the past and culminating in a real ritual of release.“The sigil I draw in the sand means ‘I move forward without fear.’ After walking into the water, I laid on the sand and cried my eyes out. It was a very real release for me.”
Featuring handmade props and shells from Reale’s personal collection, the video grounds its surreal visuals in lived experience. The result is a fully realized artistic statement. An intimate, cathartic transformation that echoes the emotional and sonic evolution behind the song.
“Neptune represents everything that has led me to where I am today, as well as a new beginning for me as a person and artist.”
#rachelreale