Frank Turner - Album Review

FRANK TURNER / NEW ALBUMFTHC” / OUT 11.02.22

FTHC’ is set for release on February 11th via Xtra Mile Recordings / Polydor. His first since 2019’s ‘No Man’s Land’ with accompanying Podcast, it marks a new chapter in a career that has already spawned four Top 5 albums; nearing an impressive 3000 shows to over 2 million people worldwide and stretching from grassroots venues to Wembley Arena, and the O2. 

Honesty in music is crucial. If you’re looking for an explosive album that bleeds honesty, makes you want to dance, and feel a whole range of emotions, then look no further than “FTHC”, Frank Turner’s ninth studio album. As the rocker turns 40 right before its release, it seems as if Turner is wanting to be more open and honest while utilizing the punk genre once again to spill his guts to the listeners, and more importantly, himself. Lead by a slew of singles, the first being ‘Haven’t Been Doing So Well’, a song that contributes a more dance-punk rhythm that’s synthy and energetic to FTHC. Overall, this album is constructed very well. The singles lay the archetype for what is to be expected, and if you’re a fan of Frank Turner already, you’re going to thoroughly enjoy what he puts forth. This feels like an album where Frank has returned to some of his roots and took inspiration from side projects, with some of the vocals and music evoking feelings of bands like Mongol Horde. With this album Turner has began to reabsorb the ‘HC’ part of his life and combine it with the Frank that we all know and love. 

Frank Turner is an emotional musician for us. One that speaks to our hearts. He has been in essence, the driving and continued force of our giglife for the last eight years. For us, Frank created a bond with now dear friends, he has graced us with several interviews in which he has given us epic quotes as “we’ve been attacked, we’re the travelling circus and our family is hurt” on the Paris bombing a few years back, and he’s given us music that we can feeeeel. 

Frank in person and on record has a magical way to burrow into your heart and soul, even with this new heavier version of himself- his music is still raw and emotive, the one theme along all of Franks work is the feeling.  

FTHC was recorded at ARC – Abbey Recording Studios – just outside of Oxford and produced/mixed by Rich Costey (Foo Fighters, Muse, Biffy Clyro). The album darts between punk, folk, hard rock and singer-songwriter confessionals, starting with the recent single ‘The Gathering’ featuring Jason Isbell and Muse’s Dom Howard. ‘Fatherless’ is particularly revealing as Turner reflects on childhood trauma. ‘A Wave Across A Bay’ is a tribute to his friend, the late Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit. The album ends with a rumination on leaving the capital after 7300 days for a new life on the Essex coast with the bittersweet ‘Farewell To My City’. It’s a mini autobiography rooted in time and place, but one that ultimately accepts that it’s time to move on.    

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