Somewhere in-between Albert Hammond Jr., Little Boots, and Walk The Moon sit Prinze George.
When the Maryland band began looking for a place to record their debut album, they didn't quite expect to end up in Minneapolis' Sounds Expensive Studio.
Yet that's exactly where 'Illiterate Synth Pop' was laid down. Nabbing the space from some illustrious forebears, the trio began sketching out what would become their debut full length.
It's a potent introduction. 'Illiterate Synth Pop' is artful, beguiling, and packs an emotional punch, with the sheer breadth of colours on display marking Prinze George out as a daring new voice. The band explain that the album is "a panorama of the people we grew up with and the places we've travelled to with them; both inside and outside of our home. Coming of age, Love, loneliness, and feeling stuck are frequent themes. This collection of songs is a great reflection of who we are."
"Making the album in Minneapolis was a tremendous experience because we were immersed in a beautiful creative space that allowed us the freedom to work and play at our own pace. We were also surrounded by people who are focused and professional but also playful and free, which is imperative for our creative process. If making a record is just business as usual, it affects the music; so we were lucky to have it all."
Check out their track-by-track guide below.
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Move It
'Move It' came together pretty quickly. Kenny produced the track and I came up with the vocals in under an hour. The first time Isabelle heard it, there were no drums and we were already in the studio recording it. She wrote the drums on the spot. 'Move It' is probably the most effortlessly collaborative of all the songs on the record.
Kisses
This is a song about a fight. I got jumped in high school by these three older girls. The funny part is that now, we are all on good terms, because time has passed and they apologized to me years ago. The first time Kenny showed me the track, I thought there was something really defiant about the production and immediately went back to that memory. I guess it’s sort of a low key ‘fuck you’, because I do wish them the best, but they also beat the shit out of me when I was 16.
Freeze
This was the first song the three of us wrote together as Prinze George. We were in Maryland at Isabelle’s house in the middle of a snowstorm. 'Freeze' marks the beginning of this journey through the music industry for all three of us, but its also a song about the power of sharing experiences versus enduring them alone. Isabelle laid down the keys and I wrote the hook almost immediately. Once Kenny laid down the production, it really felt like a complete song.
Wait Up
Kenny and I wrote this on piano/vocal, which we don’t often do. It’s about one of the most defining relationship of my life, which happens to be a friendship. I’ve been too proud to repair the friendship in real life, so I just put it into the song.
Make Me
This was actually a single that we wrote when we lived in Brooklyn. I think it’s some of Kenny’s best production. I wrote the verse in my head on my way to work. I was a nanny at the time for two little girls, one of which was a particularly rowdy two year old at the time. She was so wild and was constantly testing me. She would make these huge messes in the kitchen, on purpose, and then announce that she’d made a mess with a massive smile on her face. Even though it was frustrating, I couldn’t help but relate to her nature. Making messes is fun in a figurative sense; even in adulthood. I learned a lot about myself from watching her manipulate me. It’s one of those songs I’ll always connect with.
This Time
This was another single we released pre-album. I wrote the hook on piano and Kenny transformed it into what it is now. It’s a fun dance song, but I think I could have dug a little deeper on the lyrics. I feel like I’ve outgrown this song and its not my best work, but some people really enjoy it so I guess its not a complete waste.
Angels
This song also came together pretty quickly. When Kenny showed me the track, I thought the vocal sample was really angelic and I started thinking about angels as people, instead of in abstract religious or mythical terms. This was similar to the process for ‘Move It’ , Isabelle wrote her parts in the studio during recording. Everybody just knew exactly what the song needed and served it.
The Water Main
This was the first song Kenny and I wrote after leaving New York. It was a bad time, my uncle was dying and we had to quit our jobs suddenly. I loved New York and the kids I was nannying for and felt totally uprooted/disoriented. This was the first song that came out during that time.
I’m Gonna Get You Out
Kenny and I actually built the foundation of this song together. It was tough, because usually he takes over and I mostly stay in my corner doing the vocals. There was some arguing, but we are happy with what came out. Isabelle wrote her drum parts in the studio, and infused a lot of energy into it, which really propelled the chorus. This is really a song about watching someone you love navigate being stuck in life, and wanting to help.
Lights Burn Out
This is a song about the relationship of my life which happens to be my relationship with Kenny. It’s not easy to do what we do professionally and balance it with our personal life together, but this is the way it went and the way it will always be.
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'Illiterate Synth Pop' is out now.