After a few years behind the scenes producing the likes of Drake, Das Racist, and others, New York singer-songwriter Francis Farewell Starlite returns to his solo project, Francis and the Lights, this month with a new studio EP. I’ve followed his moniker for about five years now and, despite sold-out shows in his hometown and other near-breakthrough moments, he’s never quite connected to a wider audience. Recently, though, R&B stars Frank Ocean and The Weeknd have dropped his name, which should help the cause. I was one of those not feeling the earlier material, to be honest, but this new single hits home and has me swayed. Perhaps it’s the minimalist production, the pair of undeniable hooks, the perfectly-timed piano break, or all three, but there’s something here that feels stripped of all pretension, more heart than hooks. It’ll Be Better is due on November 25th; stream “If They Don’t Come Tomorrow” above.
