Ava Max is ushering in a new era tonight with the release of her latest single, “Kill It Queen.” Arriving February 25, 2026, the track marks her first major release of the year and, notably, her first as an independent artist following her departure from Atlantic Records.
Max began teasing “Kill It Queen” in early February with a calculated social media reset. She archived previous Instagram posts, swapped her profile photo for an image of Queen Elizabeth, and shared cryptic captions including “God bless the queen.” On February 13, she posted the first snippet alongside the message, “So it begins….” Additional previews followed through short-form clips, revealing a high-energy, hook-driven chorus that leans into her signature maximalist dance-pop sound.
Thematically, the single appears to extend the regal empowerment narrative first introduced in her 2020 breakthrough hit “Kings & Queens.” This time, the focus sharpens. “Kill It Queen” flips the crown once more, centering confidence and self-assertion with a sharper edge.
The release also signals a broader transition. In a birthday message shared with fans shortly after turning 32, Max confirmed she had parted ways with Atlantic Records and entered a new partnership. She described the past year as “challenging and isolating,” but necessary. “I had to change a few things around and do what’s best for the music I want to make,” she wrote, addressing her fanbase.
Her previous album, Don’t Click Play (2025), faced a turbulent rollout. Limited promotion and a postponed tour overshadowed the project, and the record struggled to secure major chart placements in the United States and United Kingdom. In interviews at the time, Max was candid about her frustrations, even referring to herself as “the biggest mismanaged pop star ever.”
The single is widely expected to serve as the lead track from her forthcoming fourth studio album, though official details have yet to be confirmed.
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