‘The Prize’ showcases the band’s ability to explore different life themes and explain that through music. It has the perfect comparison of light and dark vibes, complemented by Prima Queen’s signature sound and it really reflects their talent. Even from the first listen, it’s clear to see that in terms of tone and style, Macphail and Mcfadden can demonstrate different dynamics in their songs and it’s presented itself in the form of a really well made record.
From the get go, ‘Clickbait (Intro)’ introduces us to the album with a calm and melodic instrumental to start the album. As listeners go on, they get to ‘Oats (Ain’t Gonna Beg’, which capture the duo’s upbeat energy and shows that they’re no stranger to creating a catchy riff, but it’s ‘Ugly’ where we lyrically begin to see the depth of their emotional range. The chorus starting with the lyrics ‘How can it be the truth if it’s so ugly/You know I would have loved you if you let me’ brings in a darker tone to the topics of relationships, only to be enhanced by gritty guitars and raw vocals. The band then jumps back to their light, positive tone on ‘Flying Ant Day’ which is a breezy, flowy track that features a (kind of) bossa nova beat, tailored to be a perfect summer song. The tonal shifts and contrast of the album work effortlessly and highlights Prima Queens versatility and confidence.
‘Meryl Streep’ stays on the same theme of relationships, but this time more incorporating the topic of self-discovery. It’s musically rich, catchy and personally one of the strongest songs on the album. It touches on relatable messages after coming out of a relationship and figuring out more about yourself whilst moving on. Next comes the minimal guitar sound of ‘Spaceship’ - the most calming and emotional song featuring on the record. The vocals of both Macphail and McFadden beautifully contribute to the nature of the song and again creates contrast, with the soft gentle singing of honest and haunting lyrics like ‘I thought in the silence, this could be an asylum’.
As the album progresses, songs like ‘Fool’, ‘Woman And Child’ and ‘Sunshine Song’ return the sound back to lighter, more pop-leaning music. Whilst these songs are infectious and so well produced, there’s a sense that the true heart of the album lies in the emotional, somber, indie songs. With that being said, Prima Queen’s ability to excel across such an array of genres suggests a broad appeal and it’s likely to draw fans from a wide spectrum. ‘More Credit’ flawlessly closes the album, in a way that reflects all of the duo’s talents. It sort of mixes every track that came before it together as one and leaves listeners with the impression that they know what they’re doing regardless of what genre they’re choosing to fit into - and it definitely isn’t just one.
With ‘The Prize’, Prima Queen have delivered a masterpiece of a debut album and showcased that they deserve to be recognised in the music industry. It’s clear to see that they have a bright future ahead of them in the indie-pop scene and this album is just a sign that they are ready to get the exposure they deserve.
Neve Pomfrey
@Nevepomfreyy
Image: Kiera Simpson
