More about: JW Francis

From musical likeness to Mac DeMarco and Lou Reed, to the physical resemblance of Bob Ross, JW Francis revives his musical artistry to kickstart the new year with his fourth studio album. Arriving 27th January via Sunday Best Recordings, Dream House is a collection of songs dedicated to others. 

A jump across the pond and into America’s vibrant musical dynamism, reveals New York’s countless music scenes across each of its five boroughs. However, dive a little deeper and you’ll find a small apartment within the core of the city where Oklahoma-born, alternative-pop surrealist JW Francis conjured up his latest project twenty-four months prior. Twelve-tracks of jangly-pop dreaminess, Dream House encapsulates all the unconventionality of the world it was created in, echoing sentiments of gratitude for loved ones, life and John Krasinski. However, this time round Francis manoeuvres his unique surrealism to take on a different route for album four. Whilst his upbeat disregard for the monotony of modern life that often formed the blueprint for his previous albums remains ever-present, Dream House often switches from JW’s endearing nonchalance to one of more sombre realism. 

"Dream House is a charming ensemble of personal anecdotes of JW Francis’ life that juggles his playful outlook with one of pensive reflection..."

Sandwiched between a song light-heartedly mocking the risks of quitting his job to gamble on a music career in ‘Casino’ to another referencing John Krasinski’s acting career in ‘Our Story’, the album’s bittersweet title track epitomises the emotional fluidity of a record that, under the surface, has a far more profound identity than first anticipated. Juxtaposed by a characteristically feelgood melody and warming pop wooziness, ‘Dream House’ recollects the lonely months away from his mum during quarantine. Just six songs later Francis then explores the anxious reality of wanting to break out and be someone else in ‘I Wanna Be Your Basketball’. Featuring fellow Brooklynite, Margaux, the track is another classic example of a JW Francis song that leaves listeners unsure of taking in the track’s brutally honest lyricism or bopping to its infectious, melodic bass-line - a common theme of the album. 

Finally, ‘Sweet As A Rose’, released back in February last year was the first single of the Dream House era, yet appears last on the album’s tracklist. Inspired by Francis asking fans to send the name of their loved one six weeks before Valentine’s Day each year, he decided to turn one of his 300 requests into a heart-warmingly intimate song enough to make anyone blush. Whilst his lyrics don’t stretch beyond “Happy Valentine’s Day Sanaz, you’re as sweet as a rose”, the song feels like a fitting tribute to a record that serenades the people that mean the most in life. 

Subsequently, Dream House is a charming ensemble of personal anecdotes of JW Francis’ life that juggles his playful outlook with one of pensive reflection. Despite the obvious difficulties of constructing an album at a time of such ambiguity, the album affectionately showcases his admiration of life and those that surround him. The record possesses the familiarity of a nostalgic daydream ideal for enjoying with a friend, on a warm beach, or even leaves you with the feeling of wanting to be shared with a loved one… especially if they’re called Sanaz.

Dream House is out January 27th

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More about: JW Francis