I’ve spent some time listening to Tony Frissore latest release Bad Strategies and i’ll have to tell you that this single is a rare find. The groove driven funk masterpiece was released earlier this month, on the 19th of December precisely and it doesn’t just make you want to move, it makes you reflect.
Bad Strategies tackles heavy themes, like the consequences of immoral leadership and that scary, uneasy question: Will those in power actually honor their promises and oaths when they’re told to do something unconstitutional? Rather than calling out specific figures or events, Frissore takes a broader, more enduring approach. The song examines what happens when leaders abandon principle, when strategy collapses under ego or corruption. As Frissore himself frames it, “When leaders fail, the people pay,” a sentiment that functions as both warning and reminder.
The song is built and grounded by a super tight rhythm section of drums and bass, then layered with keys and guitar to create a “pocket” that feels incredibly solid. Somewhere in the middle, there’s this standout organ solo and personally, i’ll say it feels like the heart of the song—a moment of musical release and an opportunity to reflect on all the tension Tony is exploring.
Frissore’s global musical journey is clearly audible throughout the track. Shaped by time spent in Boston and New Orleans, and further influenced by European club culture, his sound feels lived-in and confident. There’s an improvisational sensibility at work, informed by funk and jazz traditions, but refined through years of performance and exposure to diverse musical environments. Bad Strategies sounds fully formed and unmistakably of the moment, benefiting from both technical discipline and emotional clarity.
Tony Frissore isn’t particular about calling out names or pointing fingers at certain events, instead he chooses to take a much broader path. He analyzes how bad decisions made at the Top, ripple outwards, and eventually hit the ordinary people who have to absorb the fallout. The song pushes us to ask where the responsibility really lies when a strategy falls apart and the principles are put to a test.
Bad Strategies stands as proof that funk can still be both political and personal. It’s a statement that can’t be ignored nor sidelined. It offers a bigger understanding of Power and Tony Frissore has not just given us music but a song that would keep our bodies moving and our brains working. It’s proof that groove forward music can ask the hard questions without losing it’s soul.
Bad Strategies finds its strength in clarity, rhythm, and principle—and that combination makes it one of Frissore’s most compelling statements to date.
LISTEN TO BAD STRATEGIES:
English