ANDY FRASCO AND THE U.N. BIO

Andy Frasco & The U.N. have long been the high-flying DIY renegades of the touring scene knownand loved for their kaleidoscopic musical fusion and one-of-a-kind onstage audacity. Nowcelebrating their longevity, the band is shaking things up withL’Optimist(Fun MachineRecords/Soundly), as its title suggests, Frasco’s most hopeful and enthusiastic collection thus far.

A testament to Frasco’s wide-ranging influences and boundless energy, his band’s sixth releasedstudio album sees the magnetic frontman continuing to chart his path of self-exploration andpersonal discovery through increasingly introspective lyricism and musical adventure. Songs like“Everything Bagel (Feat. Artikal Sound System)” and the deeply moving “Iowa Moon” touch onmatters ofthe heart and mental health, emotional struggle and the sheer vulnerability of thehuman experience, all relayed through a wildly eclectic approach navigating funk, jazz, surf rock,blues, swing, gospel, reggae, exotica, and more with horn-blasted positivity and soulful power.

“I fight depression every single day,” Frasco says, “and the only way to fight depression is throughoptimism. I try to write optimistic songs because optimism keeps me going. As humans, I don’tthink we’re all that much different.Everyone needs a little optimism to keep going.”