Album Review: Untitled II by Remy François – A Folk Journey That Stays With You
Let’s get one thing straight—Remy François’ Untitled II isn’t your typical polished, overproduced folk album. Released back in 2008 under the indie radar (literally, it’s “Not On Label”), this record feels like a quiet confession whispered into the void. It’s raw, unfiltered, and dripping with emotion. And honestly? That’s what makes it stick.
The genre tag says "Folk, World, & Country," but really, this is soul music disguised as folk. These songs don’t try to impress you with flashy tricks—they just sit there, patient, waiting for you to listen closer. Once you do, they grab hold of something deep inside. Two tracks stood out to me so much that I couldn’t shake them off even if I tried.
First up, House Of The Rising Sun. Yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard covers of this classic before, but François takes it somewhere else entirely. His voice cracks in places, like he’s lived through every word he’s singing. There’s no grand orchestra or booming drums here—just his guitar and a kind of weary determination. Listening to it felt like sitting across from someone who’d been beaten down by life but still had enough fight left to tell their story. It made me want to cry and cheer at the same time. Weird combo, right?
Then there’s Sunshine In My Soul. This track hit me like a warm hug on a cold day. The melody is simple, almost childlike, but the lyrics pack a punch. Lines like “I found light where shadows used to fall” sound corny on paper, but when François sings them, they feel earned. Like he’s not just saying these things because they rhyme—he means them. By the second chorus, I was humming along, feeling lighter than I had in weeks.
What gets me about Untitled II is how personal it feels. It’s like eavesdropping on someone’s private thoughts, except instead of feeling creepy, it feels… comforting. François doesn’t care about trends or pleasing critics. He’s just laying it all out there, warts and all. Tracks like Boat In Silence and Take My Life In Your Arms keep that intimacy going, each one pulling you deeper into his world.
Here’s the kicker though—this album came out in 2008, and yet it sounds timeless. Maybe that’s why it flew under the radar. No flashy marketing, no big-name label pushing it onto playlists. Just a guy making music because he needed to. And honestly? I think that’s kinda beautiful.
So, would I recommend Untitled II? Absolutely. But fair warning—it might mess with your head a little. Not in a bad way, though. More like… it’ll remind you of those late-night conversations you wish you could have more often. The ones where you say too much, feel too much, and end up better for it. Oh, and also? If Remy François ever decides to tour, I’m buying tickets immediately—even if he only plays in some random barn somewhere.
