ALBUM REVIEW: Michael Franti + Spearhead - Follow Your Heart
Michael Franti is an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues, and he is especially an advocate for peace in the Middle East.
In the early 1990s, he was a rebel; firing out lyrics with a political intensity not many could match. Fast forward to 2022 and it seems the Spearhead frontman has mellowed in his views and music, but he hasn’t lost any of the verve that made him famous.
Follow Your Heart is a conscious, eclectic album, from dancefloor tracks to a lover's rock vibe. It’s all about good vibrations and his infectious and unmistakable bass grooves.
The title track encourages listeners to trust their intuition, follow their dreams and seek out their deepest desires, all while keeping hope alive. It’s easy to get caught up in the positivity he exudes.
There are a few exposures to hip-hop delivery, but mainly it’s sticking to song melody and plenty of funk, world sounds and surf rock mentality. The subtle punk influence reminds me of Sublime.
It’s a kind of musical sun shower, a bright, beautiful and often buoyant song cycle created to bring all kinds of listener a sense of hope during rough times for so many in our world.
Follow Your Heart is OUT NOW!
