Album Of The Week - "Zen Ghost" by Frenchy and the Punk

Occasionally you come across a band or artist that sound strangely familiar or everything you imagined the innovators, the trailblazers, the poets, the Steampunk songstresses, the troubadours from the 13^thcentury would sound like if they were making music during these modern times. You can hear the sheer quality of their music, that breaks the mould and redefines post-punk. So hearing Frenchy and the Punk for the first time, did feel like I was listening to something special or music that liberally rips up the rule book and glues back the pages with a mosaic collage of improvisation and originality. They are a whirlwind of energy, that regresses and unravels next evolutionary layer of the present day. You see when you listen to Frenchy and the Punk, it’s like seeing the timelines of neo-folk, prog-rock, new wave and post-punk in one take. They are an amazing band who alternate effortlessly between the genres and sub-genres of alternative rock, creating a lasting impression. They are also a band whose interludes, witchy-wails, and plucky strums, create a palette of seasonal shifts, dreamy escapades and wistful insights.

Comprised of vocalist, percussionist and lyricist Samantha Stephenson and guitarist-composer Scott Helland, who was co-founder and bassist of Outpatients and also Deep Wound (along with Dinosaur Jr. founders J Mascis and Lou Barlow), Frenchy and the Punk are a dynamic duo, whose eclectic riffs zig-zag, pogo-jump and tinkle around the circumference of the sunny days of outdoor festivals, moonbeam gatherings and cosmic rebellion. They are beguiling bohemianism, whose stunning vocals are a powerhouse of ethereal purity and uber-cool soul tripping.

Think Florence Welch, meets Grace Sleek, meets the Au Pairs and Debra Harry during her “Wind in the Willows” days, then you get the idea of the range, style and high calibre that Stephenson oozes. As the lead singer of the band, Stephenson is a sublime performer, who completely captivates and takes the echo-laden tones of neo-folk to the ethereal heights of new-wave. Diverse and colourful, Stephenson, along with Helland, dips into the archives of art-rock, whilst offering a celebratory and poetic catharsis.

Formed in 2005, Frenchy and the Punk have an impressive backlog of albums which has won them critical acclaim and an ever-growing fan base. Originally called The Gypsy Nomands, they changed their name to Frenchy and the Punk in 2011, during their European tour and have been making waves ever since. Selected as The Manc Review’s “Album Of The Week”, “Zen Ghost”, released on 28^th October 2022, proves that Frenchy and the Punk have staying power and talent at making music that brings out their nomadic spirit, that free-flows with a fluidity of sounds.

It’s an outstanding album that reminds you of the sheer artistry and innovation of the band. It’s a sensual delight that encourages you to embrace the undisputed power of music and alchemise its healing properties. It’s not just an album, it’s a musical experience that beats to a different drum, reaches out the music gods and leaps with the deities of dance.

In an age of technical enhancements and music running the risk of being overly produced, Zen Ghost is a great reminder of the natural talent and organic approach to making music. It’s earthbound, yet otherworldly, that day trips to the moon and fire flares by the campsite. It’s traditionally carved yet contemporary chiselled. It’s an album that appeals to the free-spirits, the post-punk time travellers who feel empowered and emancipated when they hear amazing music like this.

‘Zen Ghost’ CD pre-order https://batfrogs.com/product/zen-ghost-cd

The ‘Zen Ghost’ LP is out now and can be found across fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. It is also available on CD via the band’s website.

CREDITS
All songs written by Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland
Samantha Stephenson – lyrics, lead vocal, percussion, keyboard
Scott Helland – guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals
Jason Sarubbi – upright bass on ‘Church of Sound’
Braxton Bellew – additional electric bass on ‘Church of Sound’
Recorded & mixed by Jason Sarubbi at Split Rock Studios, New Paltz, NY
Mastered at The Cage, Coventry UK by Martin Bowes
Cover photo by Alice Teeple
Pen and ink drawings by Scott Helland
Album cover design by Scott Helland and Samantha Stephenson

TOUR DATES
Dec 2th Camden/London – Black Heart (with Before Victoria & Flesh Tetris)
Dec 6th Edinburgh, UK – The Wee Red Bar
Dec 10th Exeter, UK – Yule Ball (with Professor Elemental)
Feb 4/5th Manchester, CT – Stupid Cupid Steampunk Festival
Feb 18/19th Gettsyburg, PA – MythiCon Festival
April 1st Galveston, TX – Galveston Steampunk Festival
April 8-9th Baltimore, MD – Between The Worlds
April 15/16th Chicago, IL – Chicago Steampunk Expo
April 22/23th Apex, NC – Festival of Legends