Prima Queen’s debut album is a raw, kaleidoscopic exploration of modern relationships, capturing both heartbreak and the joy of rediscovering yourself. Read our latest Dork Mixtape cover feature.
Words: Stephen Ackroyd.
Photos: Kiera Simpson.
On a crisp autumnal afternoon, Prima Queen are filming their next music video. Between takes, Louise Macphail and Kristin McFadden paint a vivid picture – “Think Challengers meets Wii Sports meets High School Musical 2.” The reference points might seem scattered, but they perfectly encapsulate the band’s knack for cultural alchemy – transforming seemingly disparate elements into something that feels both fresh and familiar.
The timing of this creative burst feels particularly significant. Standing at the threshold of their most ambitious chapter yet, Louise Macphail and Kristin McFadden radiate the quiet confidence of artists who’ve found their groove. Their debut album ‘The Prize’, set for release in April 2025 via Submarine Cat Records, arrives as both a culmination and a beginning – twelve tracks that chart the evolution of a partnership that began in a London classroom and has grown into one of Britain’s most compelling new bands.
Their latest single ‘Ugly’ lands with the precise aim of a well-thrown dart, striking straight at the heart of modern romance. “It was written after the ending of a situationship with an uneven power dynamic,” they explain, “and after being let down repeatedly, coming to the painful acceptance that it will never be what you hoped for.” While dating apps and digital hookups have transformed the landscape of modern love, it’s a track that packs the kind of unflinching honesty that cuts through the noise – a reminder that some experiences are universal, no matter how much the context changes.
The journey to this point has been anything but linear. From their initial meeting – where Louise spotted Kristin performing and immediately knew they had to work together – to their current status as buzzy Next Big Things, Prima Queen have carved out their path with careful deliberation. Their trajectory reads like a textbook exercise in building something sustainable: well-received singles, strategic festival appearances, support slots with peers like Wet Leg and Whitney that have helped them hone their live craft.
“2024 has had a lot of ups and downs,” Louise reflects, considering the whirlwind that’s led them here. “Touring Europe for the first time was definitely a highlight! And finally being able to play songs from the album to our fans at our show at St. Pancras Old Church the other week!” That church show feels particularly symbolic – a band whose sound has grown to fill increasingly larger spaces, choosing to preview their most ambitious work in a setting that emphasises intimacy and connection.
The road to ‘The Prize’ spans their entire history as a band, a fact that becomes clear as they discuss its genesis. “It feels like it’s been coming forever – like everything we’ve done as a band has led us to this,” they explain with the kind of earned wisdom that only comes from putting in the hours. “The oldest song that features on the album was one of the first we ever wrote together and the newest song we only wrote in August. It feels like it contains older versions of ourselves and some of the very newest, too – a combination of our past, present, and future as a band.”
This sense of temporal fluidity permeates the record, which was crafted under the guidance of producer Steph Marziano, whose work with Hayley Williams and Picture Parlour made her the perfect architect for Prima Queen’s next evolution. Their aim? “To try to make it the most ‘us’ we’ve ever been – something that felt really authentic but also new and exciting!” Kristin emphasises, her enthusiasm palpable. “Steph helped us a lot with this. She really understood our vision and executed it really well!” Louise adds with characteristic precision: “We wanted it to feel like a cohesive world.”
That world reveals itself as a kaleidoscopic exploration of modern relationships, where heartbreak and healing dance an intricate waltz. “I don’t think the aftermath of any breakup is ever one-and-done,” Kristin observes, hitting upon a truth that resonates beyond the confines of their music. “It affects everything – your new relationships, friendships, your relationship with yourself, single life, etc. I think we explore all these angles in this album. Everything that happens to us is woven together and has many sides and perspectives, and we hope that comes across when you listen to the whole album through.”
“I don’t think the aftermath of any breakup is ever one-and-done”
Kristin McFadden
The album’s thematic scope extends far beyond simple heartbreak, as Louise elaborates: “I’d say that’s one of the key themes, but as the songs were written over such a long period, it wasn’t only about one breakup – it’s about many relationships. There are songs about the sadness of being in something that you know isn’t right, the anger of it ending, the reflection of realising maybe something wasn’t what you thought it once was, the excitement of falling in love again, the empowerment of learning to be okay on your own, and realising you don’t need to take any nonsense from anybody.”
This emotional depth is matched by the band’s musical ambition. Working with Marziano, they’ve expanded their palette while maintaining the close-quarters magic that first drew listeners to their music. The guitars still shimmer and intertwine like old friends swapping secrets, but now they’re joined by arrangements that push the band into exciting new territory. Each song feels like opening another door in a house you thought you knew, only to discover rooms you never imagined existed.
The process wasn’t without its challenges, though their obstacles came from unexpected directions. “The actual making of the record wasn’t a challenging process – it came together very easily with Steph, and we had a lot of fun in the process,” they reflect. “However, we didn’t realise how many decisions there would be after recording, and that has been challenging and overwhelming at times. It can feel never-ending, especially because we put so much pressure on ourselves for everything to be perfect!”
Their solution to these moments of overwhelm reveals much about their approach to both music and life. They’re still working out how to deal with it, but “learning when to turn our phones off, put on the ‘zen garden’ playlist, and get in the bath” certainly helps. In an industry that glorifies burnout and endless hustle, the recognition that sometimes the best way forward is to step back and reset is impressively mature for a band yet to drop their debut.
The album promises several unexpected moments for those who’ve followed their journey so far. “Maybe our song ‘Mexico?’” Kristin suggests when asked for a potential surprise, referencing a live favourite that’s undergone significant transformation. “It’s one we’ve been playing live the longest, and we’ve changed it quite a bit for the album version. I think, also, we’ve leaned into the more ‘poppy’ world for some songs, which people might not be expecting.” Louise adds with characteristic enthusiasm: “I feel like we surprised ourselves with the making of this record. It has so many different flavours going on in it.”
Their approach to crafting a debut album reveals a deep understanding of what makes first records special. “What I look for in a debut album is an introduction into the different parts of the inner world of the artist,” Louise explains, laying out their philosophy. “My favourite debut album would probably be either Laura Marling’s or Nilufer Yanya’s.” These aren’t casual reference points – both artists are known for debuts that married unflinching honesty with distinctive musical voices, a balance Prima Queen seems poised to strike.
Kristin’s perspective adds another layer to their approach: “I think when people are staying completely true to themselves and their vision, you can really tell. I remember hearing Lorde’s debut and being like, ‘Who is this?’ Her songwriting is so her – she’s so honest, and you can tell she wasn’t trying to be anything but herself.”
“We surprised ourselves with the making of this record”
Louise Macphail
The evolution from those early days of classroom serendipity to their current status hasn’t always been straightforward, but it’s shaped them in essential ways. “We’ve learned how resilient we are as a band!” they reflect. “We’ve grown a lot, both separately and together, and this growth is a theme that you can hear running through the album.”
“We put our whole heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into it,” they admit – and you’d believe them too. Like that festival romance gone wrong that inspired ‘Ugly’, sometimes the most powerful art comes from embracing life’s messier moments – the false starts and failed relationships, the overwhelming decisions and moments of doubt, all transformed through the mystical process of songwriting into something precious and true.
The result is a debut album that feels both timely and timeless, as comfortable discussing situationships and hookups as it explores the eternal complexities of human connection. ‘The Prize’, it seems, isn’t just the album’s title – it’s what happens when two artists stay true to their vision, turn their phones off when needed, and transform life’s challenges into solid gold.
Prima Queen’s debut album ‘The Prize’ is out 25th April. Follow Dork Mixtape on Spotify here.
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