Franz Nicolay returns with ‘To Us, The Beautiful’ – the anthemic follow-up to 2012's ‘Do the Struggle’. Renowned for his unique delivery and absorption of widely-diverse styles, Franz has shared stages and song writing time with The Hold Steady, New York gypsy-punks Guignol, and Against Me!, as well as playing on records by Frank Turner, The Living End, The Dresden Dolls and The Loved One.
Taking its title from a rather lucid Ukrainian toast (“To us the beautiful, and to those who disagree, may their eyes fall out.”), the album has far more of the joyous celebration than the dark acid tongue to it.
Realised in a mere 6 days of rehearsals and recording, with Andrew Seward of Against Me! on bass and J. Robbins of the legendary Jawbox and Burning Airlines producing, ‘To Us, The Beautiful!’ is bulging with hooks and elegant melodies.