In this digital era, when a laptop and a decent mic blur the line between your kitchen table and a recording studio, just about anybody can take a crack at being a musician. Now, anybody with a guitar and a dream can take a crack at being a musician. But let me tell you, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Only a handful of those dreamers really make it from a spark of an idea to a full-blown album spinning on the turntable. It takes a rare breed—someone who’s got the guts and the grit to stick it out. Take Cameron Francis, a singer-songwriter shaking up the indie acoustic scene. He kicked off his musical career in his bedroom, crafting songs infused with a mix of light acoustic pop and poignant melancholy. Francis has just released an EP, “The Morning, After,” proving once again that real art doesn’t need formal music education to thrive—it just needs a soul to breathe life into it.

photo by @cameronfrancisbourne

Creating music at home might seem easy and accessible, but behind its apparent simplicity lies a herculean effort: from the birth of the first words and melodies to endless re-recordings, technical processing, and mastering. Each stage demands not only creative inspiration from artists but also technical skills, as well as patience and perseverance. Nevertheless, Cameron Francis overcame these challenges and managed to independently release an outstanding record that could become a significant milestone in his career.

Four foggy and minimalist tracks of the EP “The Morning, After” slowly flow into each other, like thoughts swaying in the head. At the heart of the EP are the lyrics and the voice of Cameron Francis, which break down into fantasies. It’s touching, light, and acoustic. “The Morning, After” could become your indispensable cup of tea and a rescue from loneliness in the deep night.

You will feel a special closeness to the music of Cameron Francis in “What I Would Do to You Today.” The singing of birds, the cascades of piano keys – sometimes swelling, sometimes receding – create a gentle movement of sound. At the same time, the vocals become central, and the lyrics enrich with new meanings. This very touching and tender track immediately sets the tone for the entire release, hinting that more intimate confessions and a lightness with a bitter sense of loneliness lie ahead. Then, drawing even more air into the vocals, “Do Your Feet Still Touch the Floor?” sounds like the best of bedroom songs. This dramatic and gentle track has an inexplicable magnetism. It’s in the lyrics, in the notes and harmonies that seem to be directed at the subconscious and the soul of every listener.

photo by @cameronfrancisbourne

Despite this being one of Cameron Francis’s earliest releases, “The Morning, After” sounds confident and commercially appealing. Yet, despite the commercial sheen, Cameron Francis maintains a unique approach. Specifically, in the track “Do Your Feet Still Touch the Floor?” the extended duration of 5 minutes and the melancholic foundation give the EP a new hypnotic sound.

I like how the atmosphere in the track “Outline the Canvas” becomes almost crystal clear, with the track struck by voluminous choirs and sensual sounds. It’s a fine acoustic song that reveals Cameron Francis as both a lyricist and someone capable of creating truly heartfelt and touching ballads. Listening to each track in succession, the EP transforms and becomes a part of personal experience, reflecting thoughts and projecting an atmosphere onto the surrounding world. It’s tender, romantic, and unforgettable. The final track, “The Chips Are Down, Baby,” concludes the EP on a brighter note with a slight distortion in the vocals. It’s a beautiful conclusion, indicating that Cameron Francis is ready to play with sound, break established rules, and create a new sonic experience. When the vocals dip into lower registers, a sense of dialogue emerges, and the return of bird singing links back to the first track. This is an excellent emotional technique that lays the groundwork for reflection and creates a looped listening experience.

Cameron Francis has released a charming EP where emotions merge with pure sincerity. The four tracks in “The Morning, After” reflect the soul of the music, his worldview, and many themes that can only be uncovered through repeated listening. An incredible release that everyone should definitely listen to. I recommend it to everyone.

Connect with Cameron Francis via Instagram