Jump to playlist

Liz Stringer returns with her seventh album, The Second High, extending her folk and heartland rock into jazz, funk, soul, and 90s piano-pop. This change draws from Stringer's early musical influences and marks her return to the piano, a formative instrument.

There's variety across the ten tracks. 'Coming Home' builds through rhythmic piano and gentle grooves, while the six-minute 'On the Level' explores jazz territory with an extended coda. 'Criminal' addresses inequality through stark balladry with direct lyrics about wealth disparity: "My existence is an anchor on the yacht that they're sailing." 'I'll Never Abandon Myself Again' drives forward with a steady beat, embodying the album's themes of independence.

The Second High continues the exploration begun in Stringer's 2021 release First Time Really Feeling. The title track references Stringer's nearly nine years of sobriety, while 'To Survive' shares a story from someone she met at a Melbourne housing crisis centre. Throughout, Stringer blends personal insight with social observation, creating a collection that examines both individual growth and collective challenges.

For the chance to win a copy of this week's Album Of The Week, Triple R subscribers can enter here before Sunday 6 April 2025. We have a prize policy of 1 album per subscriber per month so we can share the love and make it fair for all!