It’s no secret that everyone and their brother can probably name dozens of love songs across dozens of genres. But love songs that stem from the messy, unpolished, complicated maze that is the reality of actual love aren’t exactly ten a penny. There’s a unique beauty and relatability to songs that unveil the true complexities that real relationships are built upon, which is something that Liverpool-based artist Scott Francis knows all about. Simply put, his latest release, ‘Coffee for Two,’ is the epitome of lived-in love, complete with both unornamented authenticity and an addictive rhythm that simply demands to become stuck in your head.
Recorded at Kempston Street Studios with the support of engineer Ben Etches, ‘Coffee for Two’ explores themes of self-reflection and how it feels to love with a heart that is burdened with the scars of the past. The song’s heartbeat only reinforces the raw grittiness of the guitar-led melody, making it one of the most evocative, resonant tracks that I’ve heard this year! After you…
Coffee for Two
So, straight off the bat, we’re introduced to a gorgeous ambience that carries the weight of both melancholy and longing. Before long, this rich ambience slips underneath the head-turning harmony between the brisk drumbeats, suave guitar riffs, and Francis’s uniquely natural-sounding vocals. When I say ‘uniquely natural-sounding,’ what I mean is that Francis’s voice comfortably walks the line between gritty, raspy rawness and rum-sweet smoothness. This distinct sound, in conjunction with the almost debonair instrumentals, not only makes the track infectiously catchy, but it also grounds the listening experience in the real world, and you feel every word as if Francis had written the song for your own love life.
The track’s rhythm is another that left me hooked; I’d be amazed if every beat in ‘Coffee for Two’ wasn’t meticulously planned, given the swift throw-and-catch game that’s going on between Francis’s vocals and those crisp drumbeats. The rhythm makes the track much more fluid, which perfectly balances the melodious ruggedness of the vocal performance. At the same time, the energetic rhythm draws your attention to the sharp edges of the lyrics. Lines like ‘Tryna act / Civil for the simple fact / People talking this and that / They take but they don’t give back’ come alive in the sharpness of the rhythm, and it reels you into the crux of the song: how hard it is to love with a heart that has known betrayal.
Whilst we’re talking about the lyrics, I love that they switch between delving into past heartaches and the strength of the love and longing that Scott Francis is feeling in the present. Because there is such a divide in themes between the verses and the choruses, it does a spectacular job of vivifying this emotion-driven tug of war that Francis is going through. The result: ‘Coffee for Two’ is just as powerfully moving as it is intelligently written.
As we get right into the track, the guitar takes centre stage, injecting the already lively melody with an extra pinch of wistful passion. This instrumental break is what leads us to the song’s peak, a peak that is made complete by Francis’s beautifully overlapping vocals. This captivating overlap is another element that reinforces the split headspace that Francis is in, and of course, the final home-hitting punch is what makes the rippling end of the song so magnetic that you’ll just feel the need to repeat ‘Coffee for Two.’ More than once, I might add.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/@ScottFrancisOfficial
ALT: An achromatic shot of indie-pop artist Scott Francis sings into a microphone with his band playing behind him.
Scott Francis
Scott Francis has the refined sound of an artist who knows a thing or two about the industry…and that’s because he does. You see, Francis is very well acquainted with the indie music scene, having penned a series of popular releases under an array of aliases. But 2025 acts as the start of a new chapter for Francis, one where he can embrace both the spotlight and the journey of personal growth that enriches his distinctively unfiltered sound.
Alongside the influence of iconic artists like The Kooks, The Stone Roses, and Arctic Monkeys, Scott Francis’s style is shaped by lyrical cleverness. Specifically, he prides himself on his ability to craft lyrics with double meanings and intricate layers of experience, introspection, and self-transformation. With such a powerful assortment of muses behind him, Francis’s sonic signature is simply glowing with the lessons of the past and the hope for the future.
That said, I don’t think Francis needs that much hope—if the 57K+ streams that his previous single ‘Loaded Gun’ has accumulated says anything, it’s that Scott Francis only needs to rely on his music to brighten his future.
‘Coffee for Two’ is out now and available across all major streaming platforms! You know what to do!
Till next time.