After eight years of collaboration, the long-time songwriting partnership Ashe and FINNEAS finally unveiled their debut record as the band The Favors. With a seamless blend of pop and ’70s-inspired rock, “The Dream” demonstrates the power of their combined voices, offering a fresh and dynamic experience for fans.
From Ashe’s 2019 hit “Moral of the Story,” produced by FINNEAS, to their first official collaboration in 2021 with “Till Forever Falls Apart,” the pair’s past teamwork makes “The Dream” even more exciting to those who have been following their journey for years.
“The Dream” paves a journey through the emotional landscape of romance and desire, a testament to the depth of Ashe and FINNEAS’ songwriting. In the opening track, “Restless Little Heart,” their voices intertwine in trembling harmonies, capturing the foolishness of falling in love: “And my restless, little heart is falling apart over you / Like I do / Like a fool for you.” This sets the tone for the album’s intimate songwriting, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a bittersweet tale of love and loss.
A key component of “The Dream” lies in Ashe and FINNEAS’ expert ability to synthesize their inspirations and sensitivities. In the track “Ordinary People,” they share a tragic story of a desperate relationship doomed to end, as they sing, “You say that ‘we’re no good for each other’ /‘You’re too selfish for a lover’ / Either way, I’m right outside.” As the two voices blend on each line, the track’s perspective blurs into ambiguity, creating an additional complex layer of storytelling for listeners to unpack.
The driving force of the record is the perfected sense of melodrama on each track. In the song “Necessary Evils,” lyrics start quiet and calm, with Ashe and FINNEAS singing softly, “Knowing one day you’re not gonna wake up / Could avoid all the pain if we ripped the Band-Aid and break up.” The heart-wrenching instrumental slowly shifts into an explosive buildup as the two begin to belt, “Oh, all the necessary evils of losing you.” The intense flood of emotions propels the album’s momentum, keeping listeners captivated throughout the 12-track record.
The album’s central theme of intimacy and romance still manages to feel fresh by the end. In spite of the differing perspectives that Ashe and FINNEAS take on heartbreak, in “The Hudson,” both singers’ voices break as they share the final lines, “The only truth I know is you.” They manage to balance these emotional tracks with the inclusion of addictive rhythms and captivating tales. On the much more upbeat closing track, “Home Sweet Home,” the pair’s warm vocals warn against the dangerous choice of returning to an ex. Their voices crescendo together seamlessly with a richness that brings together the album’s themes of both tragic love and the sweet joys of romantic attraction.
By the record’s end, The Favors’ sonic harmony lingers blissfully in listeners’ ears. The band’s confident unity stands out most as the album’s final, aching notes drift in and out, masterfully portraying love in all its poignant, bittersweet beauty. “The Dream” will touch listeners’ hearts, leaving them hoping for Ashe and Finneas to continue blending their voices and experiences in the future.
Contact Julianna Lindo at [email protected].