Frank Turner is set to release his tenth album ‘Undefeated’ on May 3rd.
Undefeated’ follows his first UK #1 album, 2022’s ‘FTHC’, and is the result of his decision to step away from the major label world to re-embrace the liberation of working as an independent artist, Frank says, “my first back home with a global independent label setup (still with Xtra Mile of course).”
JD sat down with Frank Turner recently for the Everblack Podcast to discuss how important the flow of an album is, selecting the perfect opening acts for live shows and how to remain ‘Undefeated‘ in this modern age.
Watch/listen to the interview here:
While thematically ‘Undefeated’ is informed by this time in his life, sonically it’s full of echoes to influences that Frank has touched upon at various moments in his kaleidoscopic career. It switches from Black Flag to Counting Crows, from Descendents to The Pogues, via Elvis Costello and Billy Bragg. Its freewheeling nature is reflective not only of his new-found independence, but also of the creative environment he found himself in. As usual, it was entirely written by himself, but this is the first album that he produced himself, recorded in the home studio that he and his wife, Jessica Guise, share on Mersea Island, Essex. It features his live band: Ben Lloyd (guitar), Tarrant Anderson (bass), Callum Green (drums) and Matt Nasir (piano).
The release of ‘Undefeated’ will of course see this punk-rock road-warrior tour with the tenacity and intense schedules that he’s renowned for (such as the sprawling 50 States in 50 Days North American tour) but with even bigger ambitions that will be revealed in due course as he nears his 3000th (!) gig. But for now, anticipate the new album: a typically energising, literate, playful and provocative set from a musician who remains ‘Undefeated’ after a quarter-of-a-century in the game.
Frank Turner – ‘Undefeated’ is out on May 3rd.
https://frankturner.orcd.co/undefeated.ZSX
