ALBUM: Frankie and the Heartstrings ‘Decency’

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Frankie and the Heartstrings are back in the form of their new album ‘Decency’. The record follows their 2013 release ‘The Days Run Away’ and is the Sunderland bands third studio release.

Short snappy garage rock is carried throughout; in their sixth year the group seems to have found their element. ‘Save it for Tonight’ is lifted by the snippy guitar riffs providing a backdrop for the mantra of ‘Save it for tonight’, a surprising flash of pop in the indie rockers discography. ‘Someday Anna’ follows this similar pop vein.

‘Hate me Like You Used To’ slows things down, pure emotion evident in Frankie Francis’ vocals, and providing a volta within the record. It’s a lighters in the air sort of track, blown out melody’s paired with general melancholy. Records and making music isn’t the only thing Frankie and The Heartstrings do, their passion for music has led to the band owning their own record store in Sunderland. Pop Recs Ltd originally opened for a mere 2 weeks to celebrate and play homage to their 2013 record ‘The Days Run Away’, albeit ended up remaining open for another 2 years, and is now their part time job. The store has brought bands such as The Charlatans, Franz Ferdinand and The Cribs to Sunderland whilst providing a buzzing hub for good music in the local community, putting on toddler music classes and inviting teenagers in to chat with professional musicians. The importance of their work at Pop Recs Ltd seems vastly unrecognized and undeservingly so.

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Over the years the lineup of the group has changed, in 2013 original bassist Steven Dennis left and was replaced by Michael Matthews whilst the lead guitarist role was given to Ross Millard of Futureheads fame. This only seems to have benefitted the band, with their music going in different directions and allowing variations of their indie-pop sound to manifest. ‘Think Yourself Lucky’ heralds the typical core to their tracks however adopts a more instrumental sound, with trumpets but still maintaining their familiar fast placed vocal. ‘Money’ is a pivotal track, with witty lyrics and ironic pessimism; “it’s all about money, honey”, highlighting the bands talent in discovering catchy hooks and rhyme schmes.

The record proves that Frankie and The Heartstrings can still discover and make feel-good, indie-pop, catchy tracks, the influx of brass just being that added bonus.

Decency is available now through Witicha Recordings