Martin Frawley’s celebrated solo debut Undone At 31 (2019) chronicled the imploding of both his band (Twerps) and a long-term romance.
Throughout follow-up The Wannabe, we find Frawley in love again and feeling hopeful for a better future while gazing fondly in the rearview mirror. He’s also learning how to navigate the world outside the shadow of his late father: legendary musician-songwriter Maurice Frawley. The sweet father-and-son cover photograph actually makes our heart hurt: they’re touching noses and looking so adoringly at one another!
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“It’s a hard act to follow/ Holding your name/ I want you to be proud/ Of the man I’ve become” – circular, metallic, almost-taunting riffs skip through the poignant Proud. Boppy-paced lead single This Is Gonna Change Your Mind is stacked with shiny, happy melodies. The Wannabe (“a half-arsed musician who nobody wants to see”) brings the LOLs: “There’s no point in paying me/ Apparently your bar’s making very little money…”
Released on Valentine’s Day, second single Heart In Hand explodes with ebullient drumming before prowling bass and winking riffs guide us onto the dancefloor. “Never thought I’d be doin’ this well again, my love“ – the softly strummed Lola marks a turning point; time to let love in.
Frawley’s band of mates is actually a supergroup – Dan Luscombe, Steph Hughes, Nik Imfeld and Dan Kelly. And The Wannabe is an endearing, wistful, incandescent pop gem.
Label: Spunk Records
Release date: March 24
