ALBUM REVIEW: THE FAVORS - THE DREAM (19/09/25)

When Ashe and Finneas, both incredible singer-songwriters on their own merits, announced they’d be forming a band - The Favors - and releasing a full LP this fall, our curiosity was immediately sparked. They gave the world a first taste of what a collaboration between the two of them could sound like in 2021, with the haunting ‘Til Forever Falls Apart’, and have only expanded on their incredible vocal chemistry with this new project.

In less than a minute, ‘Restless Little Heart’ introduces us to the musical and emotional themes of the album, leading us right into the title track, ‘The Dream’. 

The band openly nodded to Fleetwood Mac with the album cover and general aesthetic of their outfits and music videos, but this tune only confirms it with its fun, intimate style and a production that seems to have come straight out of an 80s classic rock album.

Ashe and Finneas’ voices complement each other on the slower tracks, as demonstrated in ‘Moonshine’, but shine particularly bright when they’re allowed to let go. ‘The Little Mess You Made’ is a perfect mix of both of their lower registers and incredible power, being a fitting choice for their very first single that introduced fans of both artists to this new project together.

‘The Hudson’ is an electric guitar-heavy ballad that feels exactly like the music video the band has released with it, a black and white reflective walk in a quiet New York night, one of the many times the two singers prove how perfectly their voices melt together, Ashe’s powerfulness and Finneas’ emotional depth complementing each other effortlessly.

Smack in the middle of the album, ‘Ordinary People’ slows things down for a vintage nostalgic feeling that in only one minute and a half leads into yet another emotional journey, exploring the intricate feelings that accompany the end of a relationship in ‘Necessary Evils’.

‘Times Square Jesus’ is the band’s third single, the last before the record released, continuing the themes of lost love - as does ‘David’s Brother’, but with a more upbeat, groovier instrumental and lighter lyrics where the singers play off each other as if they’re having an actual conversation.

‘Someday I’ll Be Back in Hollywood’ puts drummer Marinelli on the leading vocals, opening with ironic line “the band’s breaking up”, switching things up and reminding us all that this project is a group effort.

The last track, ‘Home Sweet Home’, is a slow build up to a funky dance tune which, despite the melancholic themes of the record, sends us off with a good feeling and a kick in our step