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.