Pete Francis, a songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is a name that may be familiar to some of you, if not, let me give you a quick introduction. Pete was a founding member of the roots rock/Jam band Dispatch. A band that holds a special place in my heart. In the early to mid-2000s I spent many nights sitting around bonfires with my friends while Dispatch was playing in the background or someone was playing their songs on their guitar. But this is not Dispatch, this is Pete Francis. This album is a journey, a story of one man’s life and his destination.

PTRN SKY! begins with the synth-heavy “Can’t Get On With It”. This is a departure from anything he did with Dispatch and that’s a good thing. This is his journey. It’s the chorus that sticks out here, it goes, “Tell me why I can’t get on with it. Tell me why I’m always stuck. Tell me why I can’t get on with it”. So relatable. And that is one of the things I love about music. How we can relate to it. How then, it can help us at the same time? The synths in this track are a very nice touch. Gives the song an extra layer. The next track, “Scared Without Your Love” very well might be my favorite. One of the things that I have struggled with myself is dealing with my mental health alone, which isn’t good. But somewhere along the way, I learned I had to have others with me fighting this. And now the thought of doing that alone scares me. I need my mom, family, and friends. I need their love. And this song is about just that. While he might be talking about his significant other, love is love, and we can’t fight this alone. Another standout track is “Brighter Days”. Everything about this song is beautiful. From the music to the lyrics to his vocals. The music is so calming and heavenly, it just puts your mind at ease. The lyrics are reaffirming and honest. His voice is angelic. This is that song you can put on when you need a pick-me-up to get through the day. It’s powerful. “Fall Into Your Heart” is a later track on the album and here it’s his vocals that take center stage. They are like a smooth gruff sound that is just so relaxing. You just get lost in the vocals. I love it! “Mind Over Matter” very well could be the best love song I have heard in a while. I played it 4 times in a row and I still loved it. It’s just a great song. You know those songs that you just love? It’s that song. 

Overall this is a really good album, from start to finish. And it’s so honest and beautiful. I honestly can’t wait to listen to it on vinyl. Just sit back in my bean bag and enjoy the ride. This is an album I’m going to be talking about for a while, that album when people ask me, what is something I should be listening to? It’s this album. It comes out tomorrow, May 12th.