Proving that the folk genre is not solely reserved for British legends Mumford and Sons, is indie-folk outfit The Franklin Electric with the release of their debut album: This Is How I Let You Down.
Having just wrapped up their first ever Australian tour supporting Brisbane’s Holy Holy, the Canadians have been impressing not just us, but well-known artists like City and Colour and Half Moon Run since they were discovered back in Nashville in 2012.
Their first record is an assortment of heartfelt tunes and captivating melodies, mostly composed of a warm piano, acoustic guitar, roving percussion and orchestral arrangements. Strongest Man Alive is a well driven opening track with reflective undertones, but it’s lead singer Jon Matte’s vocals, which are equally dulcet and empowering, that really draw you in. The sporadic falsetto notes he hits with ease will have you feeling them right down to your very core.
Most of the songs on the album follow the same formula: slow burning build ups before hitting their respective climatic conclusions. This can sometimes seem a tad repetitive but makes you take notice of those rare moments found in songs like piano ballads Alone, Show Me The Quiet Air and Old Piano. Title track, This Is How I Let You Down, also packs an emotional punch as Matte sings of being a disappointment – his wounds are left gaping and exposed. Its slower pace shows a depth and vulnerability that is an enticing journey to be on. The remaining band members, Kevin Warren, Ken Pressé, and Martin Desrosby deliver impressive instrumental performances, which stand firmly on their own.
This Is How I Let You Down is a 10-track (not including the three orchestral remixes) assemblage of honest songwriting and downright catchy harmonies and we can’t wait to see what The Franklin Electric do next.
Unfortunately, the band will be hitting up most of Canada along with Europe later this year, so if you’ve missed out on seeing them live this time around, we suggest you give them a like on their Facebook page to fix that. And for those of you who enjoy a good folk record, we highly recommend you give the album a listen, which you can download on iTunes or stream on Spotify.