Now I've got a lot to say now baby but it doesn't concern me today now baby

Several of my recent favourite long playing albums were released last year (Exit by Shugo Tokumaru; Third by Portishead) and my current most spun collection continues this theme. Frank Turner’s Love, Ire and Song is an uncompromisingly blunt, yet simultaneously tender, evocative and thought-provoking set of tracks. Turner is a fascinating character, an Old Etonian and former shouty punk, and has matured into a candid and, ahem, frank singer-songwriter not afraid to examine the past and cock a snook at failed stances and ideologies. These are very personal and, as a result, compelling songs examining friendship and matters of the heart (the remarkable Better Half is as beautiful and haunting as popular music gets) alongside more political themes. The melodies and arrangements are utterly splendid but it is the wisdom, wit, hilarity and discernment of the lyrics that impress; few notes and fewer words are wasted and I’d venture that several of the couplets convey significant and life-affirming (if not life-changing) impact. This is great stuff and enthusiastically recommended. Frank Turner is playing Cheltenham in July and I am keen to attend.