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Philly-based garage-rock outfit Soraia releases their latest single, “Queens and Pharaohs.” The song’s genesis occurred when a friend made Soraia vocalist ZouZou Mansour aware that her physical and mental health battles were becoming wars.
Mansour says, “My friend said, ‘Your body is screaming for you to stop, but you’re not listening.’ I didn’t allow myself to stop. I didn’t allow myself a lot of things. I got to a point where I was tired of my own shit, and this past year has been like a rebirth. I don’t know what the future holds—the band feels like it’s in a caterpillar stage—but I’m not scared.”
Mansour’s epiphany hit her hard, generating immediate course corrections: recalibrated energy, the first tour she’s ever pulled the plug on, a clean break from corrosive hangers-on, and a general rearrangement of what gets to stay in her life and work.
Now Soraia is rolling out a series of singles that trace the upshot of that transformation, including “Queens and Pharaohs.” These tracks reveal a new, potent confidence, built around strong women-at-the-center storylines, big hooky choruses that beg to be shouted back, and movie-like drama. It’s also the first time Soraia has written and recorded material before testing it onstage, which gives the songs an in-the-moment feeling—like you’re hearing the band become itself in real time.
Soraia first surfaced in 2008 as a dark-glitter garage-rock unit—loud, sleek, and equipped with an edgy pop instinct. Fronted by Mansour alongside Travis Smith (bass, backing vocals) and Brianna Sig (drums, backing vocals), with guitar duties provided by a cast of guests, Soraia has released ten albums plus multiple singles and EPs.
Soraia has toured with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and Bon Jovi, and opened for Steven Van Zandt and The Disciples of Soul, Sixx:A.M., Story of the Year, and Wolfmother. Festival appearances include Philadelphia’s MMRBQ, Chicago’s Motoblot, and Milwaukee’s Summerfest.
Soraia in 2026, photo by Cassandra Panek
“Queens and Pharaohs” rolls out on wailing guitars riding a syncopated rhythm as Mansour’s deliciously snarling vocals imbue the lyrics with dramatic tones rife with intense passion. A dazzling guitar solo infuses the tune with Middle Eastern flavors, a tribute to Mansour’s Egyptian father.
“I want fireworks at night / I want the hero’s laughter (ha ha ha) / I think I’m wrapped too tight / We’re breaking through the rafters / I’m drifting in the tides.”
Populated by fiery choruses, thrashing percussion, contagious hooks, and a sizzling solo, “Queens and Pharaohs” shakes with oomph.
Run Time: 3:39
Release Date: March 27, 2026
Record Label: Independent
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