concert_goer | Neal Francis — Return to Zero (2025) @@@+ (Reply)

Neal Francis returns with his third studio album, a fun collection of breezy, somewhat psychedelic disco. The influence of the seventies is undeniable, but not everything here feels strictly vintage. I even hear hints of Jamiroquai in the mix. The girls from Say She She provide backing vocals on several tracks, and guitarist Eric Krasno makes a guest appearance on one of them. The recording sound isn't slick, but it does feel a bit harsh, lacking warmth, even on vinyl.

The best songs, in my opinion, are on the first side. The opener, Need You Again, is funky and catchy, driven by a captivating guitar riff, while Don't Wait stands out with its vibrant energy and excellent bass lines. What's Left of Me leans more toward pop-rock. Neal's vocals sound really cool, and he plays great keyboards! Overall, the second side feels a bit weaker. The only song I truly like there is Can't Get Enough. Already Gone is pleasant and melodic, though its guitar riffs veer too much into AOR territory. The album closes with a short instrumental title track, lasting less than a minute.

A solid album overall. Of course, it doesn't quite match Neal's debut, Changes (2019). Still, it feels more interesting than his second record, In Plain Sight (2021).