Photo Credit: Stephanie Parsley

Andy Frasco & The U.N. have announced the forthcoming release of their new album, L’Optimist, arriving via Fun Machine Records/Soundly Music on Friday, August 11. To accompany today’s news, the ensemble also shared the first single, “You Do You,” and dropped the list of talent that will join them at tour stops–which double as support for the LP in the fall.

The impending collection of music finds the group’s frontman, Frasco, on a path of self-exploration and personal discovery, presented using contemplative lyricism to embark on a musical journey. L’Optimist was recorded in multiple cities, including Nashville, Tenn., and Los Angeles, and finds guitarist Shawn Eckels, saxophonist Ernie Chang, drummer Andee Avila, and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Floyd Kellogg working through 10 fresh tracks. 

In the studio, the band was joined by special guests, including Little Stranger, who assisted on the group’s cut of “Oh What A Life.” Elsewhere on the album, Artikal Sound System helped out with Andy Frasco & The U.N.’s impending number, “Everything Bagel.” As a preview of the new album, the band shared “You Do You” and its official music video, which was directed by Dani Barbieri. 

“With so much bad news in the world, why not try to figure out a way to get out of the darkness,” Frasco offered via press release. “We’re not going to be able to change the world, but at least we can change the mind state we have moving forward. We can at least help the process along by being optimistic that the future will turn itself around. And if everyone changes their mind state about the future, then maybe we can change the world.”

In addition to news of the album, Andy Frasco & The U.N. also dropped a set of tour dates, which will pick up on Sept. 28 in Lansing, Mich., with support from Cool Cool Cool. After a string of Midwest appearances, Doom Flamingo will pick up the supporting role beginning on Nov. 2 at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl. Other guests on the road include Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers and Maggie Rose. Scroll down to view the band’s forthcoming tour dates.

Pre-order L’Optimist now. Stream “You Do You” here, or watch the official music video below. 

Visit andyfrasco.com to purchase tickets for the group’s upcoming tour. 

Tracklist:

Oh What A Life (Feat. Little Stranger)

You Do You

Love All of Me

Iowa Moon

Birthday Song

Lost and Found

Busted Nose

Nothing That I Wouldn’t Do

Everything Bagel (Feat. Artikal Sound System)

Miss Getting High

ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N. TOUR 2023

MAY

19 – Beaufort, NC – Beaufort Music Festival *

20-21 – Garrettsville, OH – Tropidelic’s Sunny Days *

28 – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Music Festival *

JUNE

1-3 – New River Gorge, WV – Mountain Music Festival *

16 – Swanzey, NH – Northlands Music & Arts Festival *

17 – Wellfleet, MA – Beachcomber

18 – Nantucket, MA – The Chicken Box

21 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre

22 – Isle of Palms, SC – The Windjammer

23 – Black Mountain, SC – Pisgah Brewing Company

24 – Kill Devil Hills, NC – Outer Banks Brewing Station

25 – Kill Devil Hills, NC – Outer Banks Brewing Station

27 – Roanoke, VA – 5 Points Music Sanctuary

28 – Dewey Beach, DE – Bottle & Cork

29 – Virginia Beach, VA – New Realm Brewing Co.

30 – Baltimore, MD – Union Craft Brewing

JULY

1 – Scranton, PA – Peach Music Festival *

2 – Amagansett, NY – The Stephen Talkhouse

14 – Buffalo, NY – Cobblestone Live! *

26 – Victor, ID – Knotty Pine

27 – Salmon, ID – Sweet Water Hollow

28 – Livingston, MT – Pine Creek Lodge

29 – Ketchum, ID – Argyros Performing Arts Center

AUGUST

1 – Durango, CO – Animas City Theatre

2 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater

4 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Snow Bowl Steamboat

5 – Telluride, CO – Sheridan Opera House

6 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen

10–12 – Yuba, WI – People Fest *

13 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre +

SEPTEMBER

9 – Indianapolis, IN – All In Music & Arts Festival *

10 – St. Louis, MO – Music At The Intersection *

28 – E. Lansing, MI – Hall 224 ^

OCTOBER

1 – Washington, DC – Atlantis ^

4 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Ballroom ^

8 – Portland, ME – Bayside Bowl ^

11 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry ^

NOVEMBER

2 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl †

4 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse †

5 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre †

DECEMBER

5 – Little Rock, AR – Revolution Music Hall –

6 – Tulsa, OK – The Vanguard –

7 – Austin, TX – Mohawk – 

8 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum Art Co. –

9 – Houston, TX – Last Concert Cafe – 

10 – Baton Rouge, LA – Chelsea’s Live – 

16 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge #

Notes:

* Festival Appearance

+ w/ Slightly Stoopid

^ w/ Special Guest Cool Cool Cool

† w/ Special Guest Doom Flamingo

– with Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers 

# with Maggie Rose