JW Francis - “Treasure”
From New York City, JW Francis has returned to us with the truly immersive dream pop track, “Treasure.”
“Treasure” has a pleasing sense of ebb and flow, shifting from lo-fi tones to lush atmospherics with breathtaking ease. Throughout the verses, the song is propelled forward by a steady, driving drum beat infused with lush syncopation and energy. The groove exudes urgency and vitality, complemented by charming touches of cowbell, shaker, finger clicks, ethereal guitar, and pulsing bass.
Adding depth to the track are the hazy tones of the organ, which meditatively fizz. Despite the Death In Vegas-like vividness, these sections maintain a striking lo-fi quality and feel introspective and distant. This sounds like it is achieved through tasteful cuts to the EQ spectrum at the low end and a centered, almost mono audio field.
During the chorus sections, the track blossoms into a rich and expansive sound. The drums declutter and intensify in dynamics, heightening the poignancy, dreaminess, and reflective quality of the choruses. Serene and elegant harp flourishes shimmer and ripple majestically, adding a layer of sophistication and enchantment. Acoustic guitar and other elements which are hard to decipher, possibly humming and bells, are pushed heavily into reverb enhancing the sensation of depth.
The vocals of JW Francis have an introspective, nonchalant quality over the verses. In the chorus sections, this performance evolves into a quirky, soulful, yet beautifully introspective delivery. JW Francis elegantly draws you into the groove and makes sure you get lost in the expansive choruses.