Melbourne indie pop band Second Prize are back with a new album, 'The Heel Turn'.
This is wistful, nostalgic indie pop that harks back to bedroom-pop garage sounds of the '90s when Belle & Sebastian, Pulp and Sparklehorse ruled the radio waves.
The pairing of singer-songwriter John Palmer (who was previously the frontman of The Raylenes and more recently played guitar for Melbourne indie-pop artist Georgia Fields) and chief collaborator Dave Rogers (who has played with Klinger, Ben Lee, Sophie Koh and Slow Fades), Second Prize have created a wonderful album that sparkles throughout with indie joy and dazzling songwriting class (“I got six cold beers getting warm”).
"We both have a soft spot for albums from around the turn of the century like Mercury Rev's 'Deserter's Songs' and The Flaming Lips' 'The Soft Bulletin'," John says.
"Sonically, we wanted to create something like that - lots of rich textures that sweep you away, so you can find something new each time you listen."
Ahead of the independent release of 'The Heel Turn' on 22 March, scenestr is excited to be able to share today an exclusive stream of the album.
Whether you're at the office, chillin' at home or travelling somewhere, hit play and enjoy the sonic tales from these Melbourne indie legends. Then repeat the process. Simples.
The record takes its name from the world of pro wrestling. The 'Heel Turn' is the moment when a good guy (or a 'face') becomes a bad guy (or a 'heel').
"Thematically, a lot of [the album] turned out to be about masculinity - looking at it from the inside, with a critical eye," adds John.
"There are a bunch of songs on there that are trying to figure out what the good bits are, what the bad bits are, and trying to locate the point where one turns into the other."
