ALBUM REVIEW: Till The Dance Do Us Part – Frankley Everlong

Having burst onto the scene in 2014 with debut album Songs For The Broken, which showcased an energising combination of heavy pop-punk, catchy disco beats, and melodic new wave synths, three-piece FRANKLEY EVERLONG have built up a loyal following, both in their native Sweden and across much of Europe, and with them signing to American label Eclipse Records, the band are hopeful that with follow-up release Till The Dance Do Us Part they will be able to make an impact on the other side of the Atlantic.

The trio launch straight into proceedings with the title track – a loud, fast-paced affair full of distorted but harmonic guitar riffs and anthemic choruses, accompanied by synth beats that are delivered in a subtle manner, and led by sing-along lyrics that serve as a metaphor for relationships, both good and bad, conveyed by gritty vocals that are rather reminiscent of GREEN DAY front man Billie Joe Armstrong. Sonically, this sets the precedent for the majority of the album, albeit with varying degrees of musical experimentation.

The next couple of tracks pretty much fall into a category that can be classed as “stereotypical pop-punk”, with the main difference being the lyrical focus, for example, As You Wither seriously tackles the harsh realities of bullying and those who intentionally hurt others for their own benefit, which is juxtaposed by an upbeat sound, whereas Endless Infinity combines fast-paced, intense rhythms with the subject of unhealthy relationships and how to end them without it resulting in too much heartbreak.

The second half of the album shows the collective attempting to experiment and succeeding, with fifth track Broken Heart Surgery going at a gentler pace, with frequent lengthy guitar solos and some piano playing. Following that is the 80’s electronica-influenced Pushed Around By You, and A Sense Of Hell-Being, the heaviest and most metal-oriented number of this release, however, the outfit save their most experimental output until closer September, an almost seven-and-a-half minute epic which is a mesmerising mix of atmospheric melancholy, buzzing riffs, and thumping drum beats, and truly brings the best out of the band musically.

Overall, Till The Dance Do Us Part is a rather eclectic offering that is an effective showcase for the unique musical talent and distinct songwriting ability that FRANKLEY EVERLONG hold in their ranks, and is a generally good listening experience, however, it seems as if the Swedish trio are afraid to push the boat out just that little bit further, in regards to their sound, and this is the main reason why the album doesn’t quite reach the heights that it, and the band are very much capable of, but that said, the next release will surely be a great one.

Rating: 6/10

Till The Dance Do Us Part out now via Eclipse Records. 

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