Recommended tracks: “Times Square Jesus”, “David’s Brother”, “Home Sweet Home”
Similar artists: Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, Simon & Garfunkel
Looking for a new band to obsess over? Let me introduce you to The Favors, led by Finneas and Ashe, who just dropped their debut album, The Dream. They’re kicking things off with a bang—delivering one of the best albums of the year. If you haven’t hit play yet, you’re seriously missing out.
The Favors might be a new name on the scene, but their sound feels instantly familiar in the best way. The band is made up of Ashe, Finneas, Ricky Gourmet (guitar), and David Marinelli (drums)—four longtime friends and collaborators who clearly know how to bring the best out of each other. Together, they blend sharp songwriting, emotional depth, and that signature cinematic touch both Ashe and Finneas are known for. While fans of their solo work will definitely catch familiar threads, The Favors carve out a sound that’s entirely their own—bigger, bolder, and somehow even more intimate. Their debut album The Dream is the perfect introduction to what this project is all about.
The album kicks off with a minute-long interlude called “Restless Little Heart,” which seamlessly transitions into the true opener, “The Dream.” A brand new band starting their debut with the words “Fuck it up”? I was sold instantly. Finneas and Ashe’s voices blend so naturally, it’s like they were meant to make music together. When they sing in unison, it’s electric—but then the harmonies hit, and suddenly you’re on another planet. It’s the kind of opening that doesn’t just grab your attention; it pulls you all the way in.
When it comes to first singles, I loved “The Little Mess You Made” from the moment it dropped—but I did wonder: Was it the right choice to lead with? (Spoiler alert: it absolutely was.) The track perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the entire record, showcasing the band’s bold, big-band production and the lush harmonies between Ashe and Finneas. When their voices come together on the line “Say when / You’ll never see me again,” it’s one of those moments where everything just clicks. You feel the full force of the band behind them—it’s not just a duo, it’s a group firing on all cylinders.
“The Hudson” was another promo track from the record that I loved from the very first listen. The song is about a love that ends, and it gives me the same bittersweet vibe as Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” With an actual recording of the Hudson River playing softly in the background, the track carries this beautiful, nostalgic weight. The chorus is the star though: “I don’t know where I belong / All I’ve ever known is gone / I’ve got nothing but you to lose / I don’t know what I believe / Please have faith in me / Only truth I know is you.” It’s a raw and haunting moment that perfectly captures that fragile space between holding on and letting go.
There are two standouts on this record for me, and the first is “Times Square Jesus”—one of the most devastating songs I’ve ever heard. The first verse alone is some of the best songwriting on the album: “Easy telling someone how to feel / Not as fun to tell someone you love that it’s real / The house your daddy built is underwater / No use trying not to be your mother’s daughter.” The song captures a painful honesty that hits deep—about the things we can’t say out loud but desperately wish we could. It hit me right in the chest from the very first line and didn’t let go.
The second standout for me is, funny enough, the very next track: “David’s Brother,” a song about running into an ex who’s now with someone new. The title comes from a real-life moment involving bandmate David Marinelli’s actual brother, which makes it all the more personal. Finneas once called it a “flipped take on Jessie’s Girl,” and honestly, I’ve never heard a more accurate description. That sense of awkward heartbreak mixed with clever storytelling is what makes it hit so hard. The track flows effortlessly, and when Finneas and Ashe come together on the chorus, their harmonies take the song to another level.
As we near the end of the record, the band gives us one more emotional gut punch with “Lake George,” a song about love and loss. Just like in “The Hudson,” it features an actual recording of the lake’s flowing water in the background, adding a layer of intimacy and nostalgia. “Someday I’ll Be Back in Hollywood” is a pleasant surprise—drummer David Marinelli takes the lead vocal here, reflecting on the struggle to reconnect with his passion for music, even when it feels overwhelming. The album closes with the 70s-inspired rock banger “Home Sweet Home,” where both Finneas and Ashe lean into their falsettos. It’s a track about comfort and safety, and after the emotional rollercoaster this record takes you on, it’s the perfect note to end on.
The Dream isn’t just a debut—it feels like the kind of record artists spend years building toward. The Favors have created something that’s deeply emotional, beautifully crafted, and full of surprises. It’s a project that showcases each member’s strengths while never losing its sense of cohesion or heart. If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see where they take us next.
Keep up with The Favors: Instagram // TikTok // X // Spotify // YouTube // Website
