Released: 11th February 2022
Published by: Xtra Mile and Polydor
Marking fifteen years on the UK music scene in 2022, Frank Turner has seen great success across eight solo albums and multiple collaborations. Frank Turner Hardcore (abbreviated to FTHC) is another solid effort.
The opening songs are an outpouring of emotion as Frank reacts to the difficult times people had through the pandemic. “Non Servium” is a cry for freedom, while “The Gathering” is a head-banging blast back into the live concert scene, something Turner missed for months. Right from the get-go, we can see the artist’s versatility on full display. He can easily move from simple acoustics to full-on rock; the latter forms a majority of the album’s tone. “Haven’t Been Doing So Well” is the most entertaining and punchy track with a brilliant harmonica solo on the way through. Between this song and “The Resurrectionists”, the artist homes in on getting by in our day-to-day lives.
At the album’s halfway mark, Frank sings about family with his changing relationship with his father. When you place the tracks “Fatherless”, “My Bad” and “Miranda” together, it shows the artist moving from anger to apology then acceptance. The speed of this trilogy also changes, reflecting his changing mood. This is what makes Frank Turner such a likeable character; his ability to sing passionately about both himself and society without being overbearing. With that said, I would have liked to see a stronger balance between hard rock and mellow pieces. Positive Songs For Negative People had more reflective elements in 2015, something Turner could have adapted for his latest release. Frank has said the album is designed to be played live and it definitely delivers on that front.
With these fast-paced tracks and lyrics that home in on his own life, Frank’s writing continues to create a deeply personal feel. He compels the audience to share in the relatability. “A Wave Across A Bay” is all about friendship with the artist paying a heartfelt tribute to someone he lost. “Little Life” and “Farewell To My City” are especially sentimental, reflecting on Turner’s move out of London to embrace a simpler side. Both tracks close out the album on a slower pace with “Farewell” featuring a personal anecdote as the band lays on a conclusive background piece.
While his louder notes can feel overbearing at times, Frank Turner Hardcore is a passionately produced set. The man pours his heart into making music and his creations have progressed a great deal over the last decade. Few smaller-scale artists have maintained their prowess for music after so many years; fans and concert-goers will be very impressed by Turner's output.
Rating: B
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