That Casablancas fella, he gets all the plaudits don’t he? Well not for long if The Strokes second-in-chief, Hammond Jr., carries on the way he’s going. Hammond returns here with his fourth solo LP Francis Trouble. Allegedly this album explores the ingrained effects of the stillborn death of his twin brother, Francis. In that context, you’d be forgiven for assuming Francis Trouble to be a painful listen. Alas, not Hammond Jr’s way of doing things. Arguably containing more ‘Strokes-like’ cuts than ever before, the energy levels on Francis Trouble are right up there. ‘Far Away Truths’ is a jagged mid-00’s indie monster, and while ‘Muted Beatings’ has the heart, soul and atmosphere of something more significant under the surface, the music still bursts with energy. A record that could be a difficult experience is anything but.
Listen
2. Far Away Truths
3. Muted Beatings
4. Set to Attack
5. Tea for Two
6. Stop and Go
7. Screamer
8. Rocky’s Late Night
9. Strangers
10. Harder, Harder, Harder
Released: March 2018
Cat: RBR0541
Label: Red Bull Records
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Tracklist
1. DVSL2. Far Away Truths
3. Muted Beatings
4. Set to Attack
5. Tea for Two
6. Stop and Go
7. Screamer
8. Rocky’s Late Night
9. Strangers
10. Harder, Harder, Harder