The wait is over… 2015 is FRANCOIS VAN COKE’s year. He takes
a new path with his self-titled debut solo album… doing things his way. He has
screamed enough. He lays himself open on probably one of the most exciting
releases of 2015. Francois van Coke’s
album is out NOW and available on iTunes, in shops and at his shows. The iconic
frontman of legendary groups Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel launched his
solo career with the successful release of his first single, Moontlik Nooit
from his website on the 20th of February.
The next single is the heartbreakingly beautiful ballad, Toe Vind Ek Jou
featuring Karen Zoid. Toe Vind Ek Jou is one of the most beautiful Afrikaans
ballads of 2015. Francois and Karen became best friends quickly and easily in
the past year. She inspired Francois to make himself vulnerable with this song.
The viewer will feel it, hear it and see it – the perfect harmony. This album
celebrates a new chapter in Francois van Coke’s personal life and career. It is a rock based album, imbued with folk,
country, alternative, industrial and even pop influences. The songs as a whole are not as heavy as the
bands (Fokofpolisiekar & Van Coke Kartel) Francois plays in.
Album track list and Francois’ song descriptions: Francois
teamed-up with old and new friends to bring this album to life. They are Jedd
Kossew, Karen Zoid, Laudo Liebenberg, Hunter Kennedy and Arno Carstens.
Behoort aan niemand
nie
The opening track kicks off with spooky vocals and distorted
bass guitar. The verse moves in rhythm
to rock ‘n roll of the 80’s. The chorus
‘Staan terug vir niemand nie, behoort aan niemand nie’ (‘Stand back for no one,
belong to no one’) is a mission statement for the future exposed with
straightforward acoustic guitar and piano.
Jedd Kossew plays a fantastic melodic solo, underscored with industrial
and electronic sounds close to the end.
Moontlik Nooit
Dark electronic rock accompanied by an unforgettable guitar
line and basic beat. Jedd’s falsetto
backing vocals gives the song a pop feel for this dark and cynical lamentation.
Die Skip
Laudo Liebenberg boards the ship for this
three-minute-thirty-second sail on the ocean.
Francois, Laudo and Jedd’s
harmonic vocals accompanied by soulful rhythm and guitar tones is reminiscent
of an island holiday. Cheerful music
positioned against dark lyrics. ‘Ek is
hierdie skip wat sink. Anker onderkant.’ (‘I’m this ship that sinks. Anchor at the bottom.’)
Hulle Sê
It’s a dark, optimistic mission statement about getting
older, accompanied with a strong pop sound.
The bridge moves to a fantasy world with beautiful guitar strumming, but
returns with the chorus - ‘Ek voel ‘n f*k wat die mense sê.’ (‘I feel a f**k
about what people say.’)
Waar daar ‘n wil is…
It’s the heaviest song on the album. A technical distorted bass intro that leads
to a primitive drum rhythm, coloured-in by atmospheric guitar sounds. A sudden break changes the pace to hard rock
and metal, momentarily reminiscent of Van Coke Kartel. A sweeping chorus with a massive drum
invasion by Sheldon Yoko drives the point home - ‘Waar daar ‘n wil is, is daar
‘n weg’ (‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’). Don’t miss the end of the song.
By die Huis
The longest track on the album starts with a shuffle beat
and beautiful guitar work, violin sounds and a driving bass. Francois whispers his discontent about how
bad it feels to lay awake in South Africa.
A massive twist leads to a loud and heavy ending.
Skree
Things take a lighter turn on this folk rock number.
Acoustic guitars weaved with tight and hooky guitar lines drive this
melancholic party folk song.
Ek Weet Nie
Arno Carstens sings in his best Afrikaans on this song since
Sprinbok Nude Girls’ ‘Pappa, ek wil ‘n poster word.’ A soft piece builds up to an immense chorus
with Francois and Arno’s floating vocals.
Another ode to uncertainty. ‘Ek
raak ouer, maar die opslossing kom nog nie.’ (‘I’m getting older, but I still
don’t have the answers.’)
Waarheid, Weg en Lewe
A hurried rock song reminiscent of the 70’s. Harmonic singing underlined with pulsing
guitar rhythms. Jedd performs one of the
biggest solos on the album.
Neonlig
Die Heuwels Fantasties contributes to this grunge pop somber
number. Things also get a bit funky (for
the first and only time) here. Hunter
Kennedy and Pierre Greeff lend their vocals to this song.
Toe vind ek jou
A country-ish ballad with Karen Zoid. The most beautiful song on the album.
Maanskyn & Rose
Johnny de Ridder’s piano encircles atmospheric sounds and
light rhythms. Moonshine and roses from
here on out.
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