’…Between their whimsicality and musicality, France, You’re On Your Own have crafted a sound that is immediately identifiable as theirs and theirs alone…’
Last year saw the emergence of Merseyside folk duo, France, You’re On Your Own, with their debut single ‘Church Roof’. The pair consolidated their creative ideas after meeting at open mic nights, and the result is a shimmering electronic folk sound brimming with wit and charm; a folk core decorated with bedroom pop, midwest emo, and pure country ideas. The debut found a place on our Top 50 Songs of 2024 listings, and the band have now released a follow-up, promising a big year for them.
’Focus on Me’ continues to demonstrate that, despite being a fledgling band, France, You’re On Your Own are one of Merseyside’s finest musical offerings. The pure musicality of this duo is rich and compelling, as they take a simple, somber, country-flecked waltz, and elevate it with auto-tune distortion, intertwining lead melodies, and subtle electronic effects. The result is something that is brimming with a painful sense of nostalgia, without feeling at all dated or uninspired.
For the most part, the track consists of minimal elements that are used in a gloriously maximalist way. The dual vocals do not merely harmonise with another, but co-exist as two separate living creatures, with their own distinct character and charm. A surge in energy towards the back half provides a rapturous, rousing passage of music that beautifully contrasts the stripped-back nature of the song, yet manages to avoid crushing the tenderness that makes ‘Focus on Me’ so captivating to behold.
Between their whimsicality and musicality, France, You’re On Your Own have crafted a sound that is immediately identifiable as theirs and theirs alone. The beautiful melancholy of ‘Focus on Me’ makes for a truly compelling listen, taking the dour country sounds of the American dust bowl depression, and transforming it into a sprawling modern day interpretation. The belief that this band is something special remains impossible to shake off.
For Fans Of: Adjy, The Oh Hellos, Topiary Creatures, Noah Kahan, mewithoutYou
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