Neal Francis Takes Out The 'Sentimental Garbage' On New EP [Listen]

Singer-songwriter-pianist and burgeoning bandleader Neal Francis is back with a new EP, Sentimental Garbage, out now via ATO Records. The seven-track offering consists of tracks recorded at The Parsonage—Francis’s DIY studio at St. Peter’s Church in Chicago, IL—for his breakthrough sophomore LP, In Plain Sight, including the album’s title track, which ironically didn’t make it onto the tracklist despite giving the album its name.

“Sentimental Garbage was the working title of our last LP,” Francis said, “which includes the track of the same name. We ended up calling that record In Plain Sight while removing the title track from the sequence. I knew this was my last chance to slap Sentimental Garbage on a record jacket, the thought of which always brought me great joy. It also works because this record is compiled of bittersweet scraps. I guess we could have also titled the record Burnt Ends.”

Francis called “In Plain Sight” “a song of reconciliation and reckoning.” He continued, “The song takes account of how much I loved a past partner and acknowledges how I had hurt them. Also an examination of my tendencies and a contemplation of how technology is influencing my behavior.”

In addition to the previously unheard “In Plain Sight”, Sentimental Garbage includes previously released singles “Don’t Want You To Know”, “Very Fine, Pts. 1 & 2”, and Shuggie Otis‘s “Strawberry Letter 23”, plus the so-called “Parsonage Mix” of fan favorite “Can’t Stop The Rain” and two other unreleased tracks.

Although it is very much a continuation of Francis’s previous album, with few musical surprises other than the horns on “Very Fine, Pts. 1 & 2”, the album convey’s Francis’s psychedelic soul roots, highlights his talent as a songwriter, and offers fans more groovy good-time music from an artist they can’t seem to get enough of.

Sentimental Garbage is now available on all streaming platforms. Listen via Spotify or YouTube in the players below.

Neal Francis has a busy international live schedule including a special New Year’s Eve show featuring Karina Rykman in Denver, festival appearances, and more, with North American tour dates resuming next month and continuing through April 2023. Click below to view a full list of tour dates below, and for tickets and more information, visit Francis’s website.

Neal Francis – Sentimental Garbage

Neal Francis – “Very Fine, Pts. 1 & 2”

Neal Francis – “Don’t Want You To Know”

Neal Francis – “In Plain Sight”

Neal Francis – “Strawberry Letter 23” (Shuggie Otis)

Neal Francis – “Collage”

Neal Francis – “I’m Watching”

Neal Francis – “Can’t Stop The Rain” (Parsonage Mix)

Click to listen via YouTube.

NEAL FRANCIS
ON TOUR 2022-2023

NOVEMBER
18 – Malmo, SW – Folk å Rock
19 – Falkenberg, SW – Tryckhallen
20 – Stockholm, SW – Nalen
21 – Oslo, NO – Blå
22 – Bergen, NO – Lille Ole Bull
25 – Berlin, DE – Prachtwerk
26 – Munich, DE – Milla Club

DECEMBER
1-4 – Key West, FL – COAST Is Clear Music & Arts Festival †
2 – Lake Wales, FL – Orange Blossom Revue †
31 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom ^

JANUARY 2023
2 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen +
25 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall *
26 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark *
27 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre *
28 – Toronto, ON – The Velvet Underground *
31 – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10 *

FEBRUARY 2023
1 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre *
2 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station *
3 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre *
4 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House >
6-12 – Miami, FL> Puerto Plata, DR>Ocean Cay, BS – Jam Cruise 19

MARCH 2023
3 – Phoenix, AZ – M3F Fest †
3-5 – Steamboat Springs, CO – WinterWonderGrass Festival †
24 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall ~ (SOLD OUT)
25 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall #
March 31-April 2 – Tahoe, CA – WinterWonderGrass Festival †

APRIL 2023
29 – Highlands, NC – Bear Shadow Festival †

† Festival Appearance
^ w/ Karina Rykman
+ w/ Dragondeer
* w/ Danielle Ponder
> w/ The Psycodelics
~ w/ Valebol
# w/ Zella Day

Click to view tour dates.