We could all use a little warmth and sunny optimism, and that is just what New Yorker indie rocker, JW Francis, is serving up on the aptly named new record, SUNSHINE. Full of warbly, inventive guitar lines, playfully funky synths, backed by snappy drums with dancy basslines, and fronted by Francis’ jovial vocal range, the album is a continuation and further expansion of the fun and cartoonish musical tones found on last year’s Dream House, whose standout single “Casino” is STILL part of my daily listening routine!
Like so many artistic offspring of the midwestern United States, JW now calls the big coastal apple home. However, in music videos, interviews, and other live videos, Francis has a “midwestern niceness” and sincerity that shines through, as does a jocund and lighthearted friendliness that is infectious.
This vibe permeates so many aspects of this musical project. It can be found on Sunshine’s album cover, which depicts Francis’ smiling, redbearded face, head of lovely strawberry blonde curls clad in bright blue beanie and colorful paisley patchwork shirt. This same shirt and carefree attitude can also be found within the music video for album opener “Orbit”, which has a cast of JW Francis body double caricatures, complete with hats, red beards, and colorful clothing.
The album begins with a TV news bulletin-like synth sample that is quickly overtaken by deliciously intertwining twitchy and vibratoed guitar leads and a rhythm section of bumping bass and tight drumming. After these instruments have gotten familiar with each other, our narrator makes themselves known with a breathlessly fast paced sprechgesang that runs through a list of metaphors of what feels possible when you have found someone who gives you life and expands your perception of the world. After a quick slide guitar solo that can’t help but bring a smile to the listener’s face, bass and snare drum take center stage for a sparse, tension building moment before a triumphant return of the initial guitar lines bookends the song.
Like the shirt featured on its cover art, the album is a patchwork of energetic indie rock intermixing with laid-back bedroom pop moments that, while never lacking energy, do allow for a more ruminative, tender experience. Lyrically, the album touches on themes of love, friendship, relationships, and sorting through whatever life throws your way to find acceptance and solace.
There is no shortage of energetic moments with densely packed guitars with an array of warbly and zany tones (sort of like listening to a highly caffeinated Mac Demarco) are found in tracks like “Pretending”, “Mississippi”, and “Turtle Power”. “Mississippi” pays homage to the beloved body of water that flows through the midwest.
JW Francis further proved to be an indie rock Renaissance-man by actually paddling the entire length of the river earlier this year, playing shows, and filming a travelog-turned-music video detailing these adventures. It’s a poignant feat that symbolizes a philosophy of appreciating one’s infinitesimal place in the natural order of things while accepting and learning how best to flow with it all while also doing your part to affect change.
“Turtle Power” is a definite album highlight with another fantastic wavering electric guitar line, rhythmic acoustic guitar strums, hip shaking basslines, and crisp drumming that soundtracks an anthem of hidden potential and power within seemingly mild and introverted people. The meekness displayed here is also found in a pair of tracks earlier in the tracklist; “Treasure” and “More Hurt For the Hurt Pile”, which have a vulnerable feel as the lyrics discuss a critical assessment of self and longing to be important to someone. On the latter track the listener is treated to the lower and beautiful baritone/bass range of JW’s vocals as twinkly guitar arpeggios float above.
The album comes to its conclusion in a similar vein with “Picture That” which gives us one more combination of nimble guitar leads, jazzy acoustic guitar chords, snappy drums, and spoken/sung vocals. SUNSHINE is the album we don’t deserve but desperately need as 2024 comes to an end. JW Francis is a treasure and we can all be grateful for the radiance and positivity this new album brings.
SUNSHINE is available from Born Loser Records digitally and on vinyl.
Written John Brouk
