Francisco Sola - “The Picture”

Photo by Majo Venturino

Everyone’s favorite Buenos Aires-based singer-songwriter Francisco Sola is back on the blog with another dazzling indie-folk masterpiece: “The Picture.”

The track begins with some left-hand muting on an acoustic guitar as it synchronizes with the steady, barebones beat of a drum kit. In no time at all, the production expands upon the arrival of an electric guitar, reverberated and gritty as it confidently establishes a melody. In seconds flat, the sound is already highly cinematic– there is a fantastic energy here, along with Sola’s signature, melancholic vibe.

As Sola begins his vocal performance, we are reminded of the way he first captured us as fans last year with “I’ll Be Gone.” His voice is rich and believable and we are unable to draw any solid comparisons to other artists, though fans of The Lumineers, Jeff Buckley, and Elliott Smith will feel right at home. A piano hammers down some chords as he delivers each emotionally-charged line of lyrics and “The Picture” quickly becomes one of our favorite songs.

In lieu of a chorus, Sola offers listeners a hook that has been comprised of pure emotion, transmitted to your ears via a series of “oohs” and it is definitely worth the price of admission. Some elegant vocal harmonies arrive on the second verse, guaranteeing the enchantment of all who hear. And after the second hook, an exquisite dynamic shift is given to us, peeling away the layers of the arrangement and forcing us to listen to the “The Picture” again and again.

-HD