fROG FOR SALE — FROG

By Lola Nam de Giorgio

Frog’s album Frog For Sale amplifies the importance of mess and chaos, channeling their New York roots into their latest project. Released on the 17th April, the album plays around with jangly indie rock paired with comical lyrics like “All good singers purchase ZYNS at the 7-Eleven in the tins” in ‘Best Buy’ and “I found a note from God floating in a bottle in the Long Island Sound” in ‘Lois Lane’. The tracks vary between more honest postulations about messy relationships, at times abusive – where frontman Daniel Bateman croons like Buddy Holly – and other times the sound is reminiscent of the late Arthur Russell’s Iowa Dream. 

In a Reddit takeover anticipating the release of Frog For Sale, Bateman replied to a fan’s question about the volume of music they were releasing by stating that “I’ve always wanted to make as much music as I could make. I think I get better at it every time I do it”. Indeed, since 2025, Frog have released three full-length albums, after taking a brief hiatus between 2019-2023. Frog’s genuine love for music speaks to this idea that albums do not need to be perfect, and that there is still fun to be had with the creation and experimentation of different sounds and influences. Daniel Bateman has previously stated that lyricists like Elliott Smith and the composition of Mozart have been big influences on Frog’s discography, which may help explain the emphasis on melodic trancey instrumentals which litter so much of the album. The most delightful tracks on the album that are worth a listen are ‘Bad Time to Fall in Love Again’, which has a very distinct Arthur Russell/Suicide charm to it, as well as ‘Best Buy’ and ‘Max Von Side-Eye’, two songs that spotlight Bateman’s charismatic lyricism. 

What makes Frog For Sale so exciting is that it feels like a soft departure from their previous work – Grog, which came out in late 2023, felt like a nod to McCartney’s work with Wings, invigorated with energy after a four-year hiatus. When looking at the albums in conversation, they feel like siblings, or kindred spirits – much like the album cover of a young Daniel Bateman cradling his infant brother. In their latest release, none of the joy that was found in Grog is sacrificed, but it feels like the Bateman brothers are more curious to take their listeners on a journey with no designated end point. When I first came across Frog’s music, I was struck by the retro quality it had - it sounded like a blend of Art Lown and Cotton Jones, shuffling between sweeter, minimalist ballads and more chaotic, unpredictable tracks. Frog For Sale feels like one giant running dialogue of the pitfalls of love, and the fear of loneliness transcribed through peppy piano accompaniments and light drums. 

In a world where perfect albums seem to be all that an audience of critics care for, there is some reassurance in the notion that fun should also be prioritised. And it appears that both long-time and new listeners feel this sentiment, and seem to take inspiration from artists like Frog (I was struck by the amount of fans who asked for advice on producing and mixing, and took an avid look for advice from Bateman). For those who crave an album that feels light-hearted and simultaneously comforting, then Frog for Sale should be your next listen.