Review: Young Franco - "It's Franco Baby!"
An Aussie festival staple, the producer behind the A-League’s theme song, winner of Queensland’s 2021 best electronic track, Young Franco has popped up from Down Under with his debut album, It’s Franky Baby!
As the title suggests, this is a polite and playful 10-track introduction to the man himself, in his own words;
“A reflection of everything and everyone that has shaped me – my influences, my friends, and the artists I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with.”
Alike a late afternoon brisk shake from your bestie who’s couch you’re crashing on, the intro track ‘Wake Up’ is a punk-ridden, cheeky-chappy core collaboration between British musician Master Peace and Young Franco.
Peace sleazes his way through the track lyrically, with patriotic nods to “the chippy”, “yorkshire tea” and “smoking a snout” with more generational references like “begging banks for a loan” and “that minecraft sh*t gets me mad”. By the end of this attitudinal lyricism and edgy guitar riffs ladening the chorus, Young Franco has our eyes-widened; we are well and truly awake now.
Track two, and do we have the background music playing during his album cover shoot? I’ll let you decide that one. Daydreaming is a glorious disco track with neo-soul harmonies from London duo, Franc Moody, the first section focused around these sassy slap bass rhythms leading to prancing piano keys. The internal monologue throughout takes your mind away, we’ve awoken, now we’re drifting away…
Kah-Lo brings us back. Within a few seconds of ‘Stunt Like This’ she’s riffing away as Young Franco’s building melodies and signature arsenal of high tempo speed garage sounds provides an infectious stepper of a tune.
From raps to rhythms, the hip hop influences summits on track four, with a Pell and Denzel Curry feature not to be looked over. The energy is propelled through the ongoing loops, an 80s boogie Steve Monite sample and witty bars Denzel & Pell spray across the track. Two minutes in total, the trio do not hesitate to throw you right in this electro-funk madness.
The archives are dished up, chopped and sprinkled with a bit of new school flavour for ‘Going On’. MC DT, most famously known for his involvement on DJ Pied Piper’s ‘We’re Loving It, Loving It, Loving It’ re-energises his vocal riffs accompanied by vocalist piri. An ode to UKG and a reimagined summer belter brings us dreams of blue skies and tequila sunrises on the horizon.
Young Franco welcomes back the organic bassline - this time positioned from fellow Aussie, Jafunk, and through the same door enters EARTHGANG . The alluring vocals of the Atlanta duo is laced throughout, Young Franco intertwines luscious rhythms, smooth synthesised details and a general joyous vibe throughout.
Seconds into ‘Sing It Back’ and you’d recognise the floorfiller from Moloko pitched up. This time covered by Dana Williams whose soft cursive vocals echo into the distance. Joined by p-rallel, both producers administer the odd housey hi-hats and half-beat bassiness. A delicate and respectful twist on a dance anthem.
Speaking of dance anthems, a jungle legend features on Young Franco and Tommy Villier’s 160BPM “Give Thanks, Give Praise”. General Levy tears right through this track as soon as he starts reeling off bars. Split into two, the first half takes us through typical MC-style from the General himself with this atmospheric, euphoric breakdown succinctly splitting the track midway. What comes next is the ragga MCs signature spraying of bars at an electrifying pace, armored by a weighty, mayhem-inducing jungle break. Signing off the track with the titled lyrics and offensively in-your-face bassline, the biggest challenge you’ll face is resisting that rewind button.
‘Juice’, the 2020 hit involving Pell comes next. Slotting wonderfully as the penultimate track, the electro hip hop fusion rhythmically entices, this vibe whipped up from the Louisiana rapper paired with Young Franco hasn't aged a single bit.
From ‘Wake Up’ to ‘Sunrise’, the producer’s flavours reach an unlikely finish. Muroki, a Kenyan, New Zealand reggae and nu-soul musician closes off this statement of a debut album. This delightful bossa nova inspired, jazzy number feels like closing the leaf of your favourite book.
The last two tracks really round off a mutual gratitude between the listener and producer, we thank Young Franco for this sonic journey and he thanks us for joining him along the way. Summer 2025 is going to feel that extra bit more cheery with Its Franco Baby! on repeat wherever you go.
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Get tickets for Young Franco’s London Show: TICKETS ON SALE 18TH FEBRUARY
Written by Brandon Purmessur
Opinion
