Liz Stringer is stepping into bold new territory with her latest track “To Survive”, released today ahead of her highly anticipated new album, The Second High, which lands on 28 March. A cinematic, neo-soul-infused piece, the song takes inspiration from the real-life struggles of a Melbourne youth worker, shining a light on systemic injustices that push people toward homelessness and addiction.
“To Survive was written following a series of conversations I had with an amazing person I met through a housing services organisation in Melbourne, where I’m from. After doing some fundraising together, I formed a relationship with some of the staff there and my conversations with this incredibly generous individual simultaneously broke my heart and reminded me of the indefatigable power of the human spirit. The protagonist of the song was thrown out of home by his family while he was still very young because of how he identifies, and he grew up on the streets of Melbourne, alone, in serious and perpetual danger and with a devastating drug habit. He now works with youth who are in similar positions and has been able to use this profoundly difficult start to his life as a way to help kids who desperately need someone they can trust. He had adult mentors at pivotal moments who he says helped to save his life and now he’s able to be that person for vulnerable younger ones. I’m so grateful to him for his generosity in sharing his story with me and have huge respect for what he puts into his community.” Liz Stringer
Set against hypnotic grooves, lush strings, and layered vocals, Stringer transforms raw human experience into a hauntingly beautiful piece of music. The song, all pulsing keys and simmering tension, builds like a slow-motion landslide—each note stacking, swelling, pushing forward until it erupts in a finale and fade out that feels less like an ending, but more like a necessary collapse. It’s an undeniable showcase of her ability to craft deeply personal yet socially resonant songs.
Recorded in Brixton’s Iguana Studios in 2023 with Grammy-nominated, Ivor Novello Award-winning producer Beni Giles (Lianne La Havas, Oscar Jerome), The Second High marks a massive evolution from Stringer’s folk and heartland rock roots into a space where jazz, funk, soul, and 90s piano-pop collide. Vulnerable yet fierce, the album dives into recovery, self-discovery, and reinvention, all while flexing her stunning vocal range and virtuosic musicianship.
Pre-order the album HERE.
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