Punk-folk stalwart Frank Turner is back with a new single ‘A Wave Across A Bay’. It’s taken from his upcoming ninth studio album ‘FTHC’ released on February 11th via Xtra Mile Recordings & Polydor. ‘A Wave Across A Bay’ was born out of a lucid dream that featured his dear departed friend Scott Hutchison. The single is out now and all proceeds are going to the charity Tiny Changes, a mental health organisation set up in Scott’s memory.
Check out the acoustic version here.
Frank Turner’s songwriting has always had an honest, brutal at times. Whether it be the troublesome journey with his dad (happily restored now) on ‘Father’s Day’ and ‘Redemption’ or the Amy break up songs, Turner has worn his heart on his sleeve.
Despite this, few could have expected the openness of his latest single. With the discourse so tragic, a rage-filled punk anthem would have been acceptable right? Not for Turner! Stepping away from his bread and butter to combine spoken word, angelic vocals, and ethereal production, if that’s not paying homage to his friend and Frightened Rabbit, we don’t know what is.
It would be forgivable to trot out clichés of love and loss lyrically. Turner’s creativity and furthermore, adoration for his friend have not allowed it. At times he becomes his friend, at others, he offers up a level of understanding to his plight that is a triumph of the human spirit.
The Mural was painted by Michael Corr in Glasglow with his wife and daughter who walked by wanting to help. http://www.michaelcorrartist.co.uk/
For so long, we, like thousands of others, have followed Turner into battle fists aloft. Even his gentler moments are embedded with a punk spirit that acts as a moral compass. The sonic departure from this offers a sense of reflection on love, life, and regret akin to the beauty of Thom Yorke’s writing on ‘The Bends’.
The struggles that lockdown brought upon so many are well documented. As an artist, Turner had a reason for being ripped away from him. It must have brought his own struggles. The level of generosity in his art, made at a time of personal strife, about the loss of a loved one, is a truly remarkable creative gesture.
Frank’s new album will be released on 11th February and is available for pre-order here https://store.frank-turner.com/