By Keith Walsh
I’ve learned never to underestimate what a musical duo can achieve. From Stereo Christ to Weird Wolves, I’ve encountered two piece acts that in live performance or through studio trickery, conjure up stellar sounds.
Frenchy And The Punk is the duo of Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland, and their new track “Hypnotized” features a cool mix of melody and atmospherics. Starting with Stephenson’s wicked cool vocals and occasional keyboards, and strumming by Helland on a Fender Acoustasonic as well as inventive lead work that evokes not only surf rock but new wave, it’s made for dancing. The dark, funky guitar riff in the chorus adds even more excitement. Helland also programmed the drums and played bass guitar.
As their name suggests, Frenchy And The Punk originate in France, though they’ve since settled in New York, and they’ve been making catchy and inventive music for more than a decade. Though their tunes have always been inspired and fun, as a post-punk dance floor banger, “Hypnotized” is perhaps their most commercial work yet. It’s from their new album Midnight Garden, coming June 28th. And while their 2023 single “Cities In Dust” is a Siouxsie And The Banshees tribute, the music of Frenchy And The Punk is far more spirited and less decadent and jaded than that of Siouxsie and her colleagues. It’s that innocence and sweetness that sets the French duo apart, making them worthy of repeated listening.
Frenchy and The Punk are embarking on extensive tour of the UK on May 21 followed by dates in the U.S. all the way into November. Check out their website for more info.
(Featured Photo by Nicola Bee)
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