Julia Kate is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter hailing from Sherman Oaks, California, whose artistry is as vibrant and multifaceted as her upbringing in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. Currently a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, studying songwriting and music business, Julia’s trajectory reflects both dedication and versatility. From her early exposure to musical influences like Taylor Swift, Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Lana Del Rey to her love of live experiences at festivals like Coachella, Julia’s artistic sensibilities are rooted in both modern pop culture and timeless storytelling. Her journey began in high school when a family friend introduced her to producer Johnny What, known for working with Juice WRLD and Pentatonix. Under Johnny’s mentorship, along with musical director Nick Rosen and Jacob Wick, formerly of Dreamers, Julia crafted her first EP, just a kid, released in 2022. Her subsequent EP, yearbook, released in September 2023, further cemented her ability to balance introspective lyricism with polished pop sensibilities. In addition to her academic and recording pursuits, Julia remains deeply connected to the Los Angeles music scene, performing at iconic venues like The Troubadour, The Whisky a-Go-Go, The Hotel Café, and The Mint, steadily building a loyal following through her intimate yet compelling live performances.
Julia Kate’s “be nice princess,” released on October 24th, 2025, is a sophisticated exploration of identity, personal boundaries, and the subtle complexities of friendship, all delivered through a polished indie-pop lens. From the opening moments, the song immediately signals a balance between buoyant pop energy and emotional depth. Shimmering guitar lines weave through crisp, driving percussion, establishing a rhythmic pulse that is both infectious and measured, giving the track a sense of momentum without ever overwhelming the listener. Layered ambient synths enhance the spaciousness of the arrangement, providing a dreamy backdrop that allows Julia’s vocals and lyrical content to take center stage. This careful layering of instrumentation reflects an acute awareness of production dynamics, making “be nice princess” both sonically appealing and emotionally resonant. The opening creates an inviting environment, drawing listeners into Julia’s world with warmth and immediacy while hinting at the introspective narrative that unfolds.
Vocally, Julia Kate delivers a performance that is simultaneously confident and nuanced, highlighting her ability to communicate vulnerability and strength in equal measure. She navigates shifts in dynamics and register with precision, accentuating key lyrical moments and allowing the chorus to resonate with heightened emotional impact. The declarative lines “be nice princess” are harmonically reinforced, adding texture without diluting their directness. Her voice maintains an intimate authenticity throughout, free from over-processing, which enables listeners to connect intimately with the narrative. This approach reinforces the song’s thematic core: asserting oneself while maintaining charm and emotional intelligence. Julia’s phrasing exhibits subtle vulnerability, particularly in the verses, suggesting the reflective process of recognizing personal boundaries and reclaiming agency, which aligns seamlessly with the song’s lyrical intent.
Lyrically, “be nice princess” is both witty and incisive, transforming a casual phrase into a commentary on friendship gone awry and reclaiming self-respect. The song emerged from an Instagram meme, with Julia and collaborator Nick Rosen building a narrative around the phrase “be nice princess” to capture a moment of personal reflection on relationships where expectations can feel constraining. Rather than dwelling on bitterness, Julia delivers the message with playful honesty, illustrating the tension between humor, social expectation, and emotional awareness. The lyrics explore the idea of reclaiming one’s voice and agency in situations where others expect compliance, using sharp observations and tongue-in-cheek phrasing to deliver empowerment with levity.
Structurally, the track is concise yet deliberate, utilizing traditional verse, pre-chorus, and chorus segments while avoiding unnecessary filler. Instrumentation is pulled back strategically toward the outro, allowing Julia’s vocals to carry the final emotional weight of the song. This minimalist approach enhances the thematic emphasis on clarity and self-expression, creating space for listeners to absorb the lyrics and vocal nuances fully. The pacing contributes to the track’s replay value, as each listen reveals subtle interactions between the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements. The song’s accessible structure complements its lyrical depth, providing an ideal balance between artistic sophistication and broad listener appeal.
From a musical perspective, “be nice princess” thrives on the interplay between upbeat instrumentation and introspective content. The brightness of the synth layers and the driving percussion provide a sense of optimism and buoyancy, while occasional minor tonalities introduce a reflective undertone. This juxtaposition creates an emotional duality that enhances the song’s relatability, as it mirrors the bittersweet experience of personal growth and self-assertion. Julia’s ability to merge catchy pop sensibilities with meaningful storytelling exemplifies her emerging maturity as an artist. The track feels both accessible and substantial, appealing to audiences seeking both aesthetic enjoyment and thematic resonance.
The music video further amplifies the song’s themes, presenting a whimsical reimagining of Alice in Wonderland in which Julia embodies a modern Alice navigating a pastel-toned world. Featuring her sister and close friends, the visual narrative blends humor, heart, and subtle satire, reinforcing the track’s core message about kindness, self-respect, and boundary-setting. The video emphasizes Julia’s capacity for multidimensional artistry, combining music, narrative storytelling, and visual aesthetics to create a holistic and immersive experience. The playful yet pointed visuals mirror the song’s lyrical intelligence, underlining the importance of balancing personal growth with self-awareness and social engagement.
In context with her growing body of work, “be nice princess” represents a significant step forward for Julia Kate. The track demonstrates her ability to transition from introspective, vulnerable singer-songwriter compositions to assertive, self-assured indie-pop while maintaining emotional sincerity. It highlights her versatility, showcasing polished production techniques, compelling vocal performance, clever lyricism, and careful structural pacing. By successfully blending accessibility with artistic depth, the song positions Julia as a distinctive voice in contemporary indie-pop, capable of crafting work that is both enjoyable and meaningful.
Julia Kate’s be nice princess Transforms Playful Inspiration Into A Sharp, Emotionally Honest Indie-pop Anthem, Celebrating Self-respect, Personal Boundaries, And Friendship Dynamics With Charm, Wit, And Captivating Storytelling
Ultimately, “be nice princess” is a testament to Julia Kate’s evolving artistry and emotional intelligence. The song combines lyrical wit, reflective storytelling, polished production, and intimate vocal performance to create a track that is simultaneously fun, empowering, and relatable. It captures the tension between societal expectations and personal agency with a playful yet assertive spirit, cementing Julia’s reputation as a rising force in the indie-pop landscape. This release exemplifies her capacity to merge personal narrative with broad appeal, leaving a lasting impression on both existing fans and new listeners.
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