Ten years of relentless dedication have finally culminated in Laura Frank’s sprawling debut record, ‘Life In The Front Seat’. Bucking the modern trend of bite-sized, algorithmic releases, the Australian songwriter has delivered a cohesive body of work channelling the rootsy grit of Grace Potter and the vivid honesty of Brandi Carlile.
Created alongside close collaborator Nick Morrissey, the project is fiercely independent, with Frank noting they are "really proud that what you’re hearing is purely our voices." The duo deliberately set out to craft a full-length experience.
"Nick and I are inherently old school," Frank explains. "We miss the days of putting a record on and being taken somewhere — of an album as a journey, not just a playlist. In a world of singles and short attention spans, making a full-length record felt like a risk. But it was a risk we needed to take, artistically and creatively. These songs deserve to live together."
Retreating to New South Wales' Brooklet Recording under the guidance of producer Jordan Power, Frank assembled an incredible roster of musicians, including Grant Gerathy and Mike Mills, to capture a vibrant, organic soundscape.
"The process was exactly what I love most about making music," she shares. "Everyone in the room together, live tracking, throwing ideas around, seeing what sticks. Some of what you hear on this album is a full band live take — just us, sitting in a room, playing and figuring it out in real time. That energy is irreplaceable."
Spanning AIR Chart-topping hits like 'God Knows, I Know' to delicate acoustic confessions, the album covers vast emotional territory. "Thematically it's a melting pot — empowerment and vulnerability, trust and uncertainty, love and loss and the environment and everything in between," Frank says. "There are punchy, upbeat rock songs and beautiful, heartfelt ballads. Something for everyone, no matter what you might be going through."
Ultimately, raw human connection drives this record. "I make music because I want it to become a soundtrack to someone's life. You know how you never forget the smell of your grandmother's house, or the song that was playing the first time you fell in love? I hope there's something on this record that becomes that for someone. And more than anything, I hope it makes people feel less alone in whatever it is they're facing. That's the whole point, really."
‘Life In The Front Seat’ is out now. Be sure to stream the new release on your favourite digital platform and follow Laura Frank on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to keep up with her upcoming live shows.
