Frank Turner Shares 5 Memories From Recording His New Album 'Undefeated'

Last month English folk-punk troubadour Frank Turner released his tenth solo album.

Titled 'Undefeated', the record is the follow-up to his first UK #1 album, 2022's 'FTHC', and sees Frank again embracing the liberation of being an independent artist.

"I've had a mad year so far, prepping the release of 'Undefeated'. I've been around the world talking about it, playing some songs, meeting people. . . It's a record I started writing in 2022; we recorded in the [northern] summer of '23.

"It represents everything I have to give at this moment in time in my life. I'm incredibly proud of it, I'm incredibly grateful that I get to do this, still, and that you guys are listening and paying attention.

"You can go listen to the whole damn thing right now on the internet. . . thank you very much."



Thematically, 'Undefeated' finds the sweet spot between youthful outspokenness and surviving mid-life challenges. It's a record that explores both emotionally compelling topics and lighter reflections on those troubles that eventually come to us all.

Sonically, it's full of echoes to influences that Frank has touched upon at various moments in his kaleidoscopic career, from Black Flag to Counting Crows, from Descendents to The Pogues, via Elvis Costello and Billy Bragg.

Here, Frank shares five moments from the 'Undefeated' recording process.

1: Callum's first rehearsal

Callum (drummer) joined in 2020. The first time we ran songs together, it was pure magic; after touring 'FTHC', I knew the new album was going to be a step up for me across the board.

2: Writing 'Show People' in a dressing room in Munster, Germany

I wrote that song in one sitting, which is rare for me, and it instantly felt like an old song – the arrangement wrote itself.

3: Working up the arrangement for 'No Thank You For The Music' in rehearsal with the Sleeping Souls

That song fell into place fast; we didn't touch a thing from the first pass, everyone in the band was just firing on all cylinders – it's a powerful thing.

4: Swimming in the sea

We recorded at my house on the beach in Essex in the summer of 2023. The weather was perfect. We'd swim in the mornings and record in the afternoon. I felt very lucky.

5: The first time my wife heard the rough mixes

She said it sounded like we were having fun, for the first time in a long time. That meant a lot to me, and I think it's perceptively put.