Review: Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls – Be More Kind
Frank Turner is back with his seventh album Be More Kind, returning with burning topics on politics, self-reflection and society.
Be More Kind is packed with moments of sincerity and honesty. Beginning with ‘Don’t Worry’, a gentle opening track. He urges you not to worry and get hung up on things too much and that when times are tough, he’ll be there for support. The gentle start is a warm beginning to the record.
The album has fiery moments, where Turner unleashes his views on politics like the emphatic ‘Make America Great Again’ and ‘Common Ground’. As he sings on the former, “Well I know I’m just an ignorant Englishman but I’d like to make America great again. So if you’ll forgive my accent and the cheek of it, here’s some suggestions for the special relationship…”. He unleashes his love for the country but wishes for changes that are pretty obvious. Bouncy bass lines and booming hooks, it’s a storming song as he turns to others to come together and make a change.
While the ‘Recovery’ singer hasn’t been one to shy away from his political views in the past, with a reasonable mind, you can’t help but agree with what he has to say.
Frank Turner’s Sleeping Souls work together so well. Composing thrilling rock songs but then they strip it back and either create a summery vibe during ‘Going Nowhere’ or darken the mood during the first half of ‘The Lifeboat’ as he tries to find hope when times get tough.
He sympathises with how the current generation of twenty-somethings are struggling in the world during ‘21st Century Survival’. Then reflects on how it’s ok to say “I’ve changed my mind” or “I don’t know” and admit you’re unsure in heartwarming fashion on ‘Get It Right’.
Turner has a simple message with this record and it’s aptly the title of his latest offering; “be more kind”. He asks on the title-track “In a world that has decided that it’s going to lose it’s mind, be more kind my friends, try to be more kind…”. With hair-raising melodies and plenty food-for-thought moments, it’s an absolutely stunning return as he shares his thoughts on current affairs, society and his own self-reflection.
Songs worth putting on repeat: ‘Be More Kind’, ‘Make America Great Again’ ‘Common Ground’ and ‘Get It Right’
Verdict: 9/10
Photos taken by Georgia Flynn at Frank Turner’s Liverpool O2 Academy show. See more snaps from Georgia on her website or follow her on Instagram, @georgiaflynncreative. Check out the review here.