Kingmaker (song)

"Kingmaker"
Single by Maisie Peters and Julia Michaels
from the album Florescence
Released21 April 2026 (2026-04-21)
Length3:08
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Maisie Peters
  • Julia Michaels
  • Chloe Kraemer
Maisie Peters singles chronology
"My Regards"
(2026)		 "Kingmaker"
(2026)
Julia Michaels singles chronology
"No Heartbreak's Killed Me Yet"
(2025)		 "Kingmaker"
(2026)
Lyric video
"Kingmaker" on YouTube

"Kingmaker" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Maisie Peters and American singer-songwriter Julia Michaels. It was released by Gingerbread Man and Atlantic Records on 21 April 2026 as the fifth single from Peters' third studio album, Florescence (2026). She co-wrote and co-produced the song with Michaels, as well as Chloe Kraemer.

The lyrical content of "Kingmaker" explores the lack of acknowledgement that woman receive when they better their male partners and was loosely inspired by the Hilary Mantel novel Wolf Hall (2009). Peters felt that Michaels was the perfect collaborator for the song, since they had shared experiences with the lyrical content. Both singers praised their experiences writing with each other, particularly Peters, who cited Michaels as an early songwriting inspiration for her.

Background

Peters' second studio album, The Good Witch, was released in 2023.[1] The genres featured in the album were predominantly pop-oriented, however, she was hopeful that people would notice the maturity developed in her songwriting between The Good Witch and her debut album, You Signed Up for This (2021).[2] After a break from music that involved numerous tours, Peters returned to music in October 2025 with the dual release of "Audrey Hepburn" and "You You You". They acted as the dual lead singles from her upcoming third studio album.[3] They were followed by "Say My Name in Your Sleep" and "My Regards", after which it was confirmed that they would all feature on her third studio album, Florescence (2026).[4] The fifth single from the album was later confirmed to be "Kingmaker" and was released on 21 April 2026.[5]

Composition and lyrics

Peters billed Julia Michaels as the perfect collaborator for "Kingmaker" due to their shared experiences.

As well as recording the song with American singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, Peters co-wrote and co-produced it alongside her too. Chloe Kraemer also received co-writing and co-producing credits.[6] Peters had long been a fan of Michaels, having listened to her music since the age of 16. She cited Michaels as one of her songwriting inspirations, billing "Issues" her "national anthem" and stated that releasing a song with her was a "dream come true".[7] In turn, Michaels complimented her time writing with Peters, stating: "when you write with her you feel completely immersed in her world. You feel like you’ve lived it yourself."[8]

The lyrical content of "Kingmaker" dissects power dynamics within gender, focusing on the lack of acknowledgement that woman receive when they better the lives their male partners.[9] It explores the sting of realising that a man did not deserve them or how they have bettered their life, especially after giving them the benefit of the doubt. The song's lyrical content was loosely inspired by the Hilary Mantel novel Wolf Hall (2009). On the lyrics, Peters explained it is "chiefly about being a woman and feeling like you've offered your time, wisdom, talent, and belief to someone who has then taken advantage of it".[5]

Peters felt that Michaels was the perfect collaborative partner for "Kingmaker", since she felt they had both had experiences of achieving success and witnessing the impact it had on their romantic relationships.[10] They had both specifically bonded over the egos of former male partners, who had wanted a strong and successful woman until it "made them bitter".[9] They intentionally wrote and recorded "Kingmaker" as a song that goes line for line, as opposed to verse for verse. They wanted the song to be heard as a conversation between friends who are bonding over shared experiences, which they felt mirrored the songwriting process.[11]

Critical reception

Mystic Sons called "Kingmaker" a "sharp, emotionally charged collaboration".[12] Broken 8 Music complimented the decision for the singers to sing line by line, noting that it felt "remarkably organic".[13]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Spotify.[14]

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 21 April 2026 [14]

References

  1. ↑ Bautista, Rafael (28 March 2023). "For Maisie Peters, It's Okay Being The (Good) Witch Of Your Story". Nylon Manila. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  2. ↑ Ackroyd, Stephen (15 February 2023). "Maisie Peters has conjured up a brand new album, 'The Good Witch'". Dork. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "Maisie Peters teases third album with new singles, "You You You" and "Audrey Hepburn"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Maisie Peters announces third studio album, Florescence". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 Carter, Daisy. "Maisie Peters teams up with Julia Michaels for latest album preview 'Kingmaker'". DIY. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Maisie Peters Premieres New Song "Kingmaker" with Julia Michaels on BBC Radio 1". PM Studio. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  7. ↑ Peters, Maisie. "kingmaker featuring Julia Michaels out now!!!!". Instagram. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  8. ↑ Jones, Alec. "Maisie Peters and Julia Michaels Release New Collaboration Single 'Kingmaker'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  9. 1 2 Harrison, Dan. "Maisie Peters and Julia Michaels have teamed up for new track 'Kingmaker'". Dork. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Maisie Peters Shares New Single Kingmaker Featuring Julia Michaels". Stereoboard. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  11. ↑ Murray, Robin. "Maisie Peters, Julia Michaels Combine On 'Kingmaker'". Clash. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Bound, Chris. "Maisie Peters & Julia Michaels team up for new single 'Kingmaker'". Mystic Sons. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  13. ↑ Bedward, Thomas. "Maisie Peters Enlists Julia Michaels for the Poignant 'Kingmaker'". Broken 8 Music. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Kingmaker (with Julia Michaels) - Single by Maisie Peters". Spotify. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
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