Nothing quite hits like an earnest slice of acoustic R&B. This style is deeply rooted in the genre’s 90s and 00s golden eras and so tracks like ‘Blame’ set off all those fuzzy, nostalgic feelings for listeners like us. Singer-songwriter Franco K opts for genuine human presence over any kind of pop polish, which is a refreshing sincerity that’s heard throughout this single. With a lo-fi, finger-picked guitar leading the way, ‘Blame’ gradually unfolds with a steady sense of self-assured confidence. These warm strings are accompanied by a subtle bassline, soft synths and a loosely-structured groove, all of which is tied together by a hazy yet comforting production.

‘Blame’ leans into organic textures and a spacious arrangement, so that those weighty emotions have room to be fully explored. At the heart of this track is Franco’s unmatched vocal performance, which moves with a soulful smoothness and intimate agility that is sure to completely captivate listeners. His unguarded lyrics navigate a relationship that has come to a stand-still, where the couple refuses to face up to their problems and the buck is continuously passed on. ‘Blame’ is a snapshot of this unhealthy relationship dynamic, and so it doesn’t progress to a cathartic release or dramatic crescendo, but instead it drifts off into the background. Perhaps the second part of the story will be unveiled by Franco K’s next single, and so the only logical thing to do is to watch this space.

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