Full Review

Fransoafran, Dance Without You Review

Francois Mathian is a violinist, composer, and music producer that is passionate about using music to open up energies and connections to help people move to a more in-depth creative and receptive space. He received his classical training in France. Becoming very involved in the Paris and Lyon scene as a violinist in various styles, from jazz standards to pop-rock, Latin jazz to country music. Deciding to seek new inspiration, he moved to Australia to develop his music, collaborating with other composers and producers along the way. Mathian created a new name for himself, Fransoafran, which is his artist persona. Mathian also created a music production company called Soulbow. The headquarters are in Australia, and the recording and studio facility is currently in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City. Mathian’s goal in creating Soulbow was to publish and promote soulful music and soundtracks. He focuses on music that tells a story. He brings the listener into a space where clarity of thoughts, visualizations, and deeper emotions can be experienced in a positive and transformative way. Soulbow offers high-quality professional recording, original music composition, and music production services through talented artists and state-of-the-art studio equipment. Fransoafran places Mathina’s violin playing front and center. He says this of his music, “My intent with my music is to bring audiences through transformational journeys, by combining the richness and depth of classical and organic playing with modern and impactful electronic production.” That intent is focused on his latest single titled, “Dance Without You.” This single will be the last release for Fransoafran this year. The song is a blending of classically inspired violin with guitar, drums, and bass in a dynamic and passionate arrangement with hints of world music overtones and a little part New Age.

Positives: The ensemble delivers a solid performance as Fransoafran’s violin playing takes us on a journey of warm sounds filled with emotion.

Bottom Line: “Dance Without You” has an ever-evolving melody that is performed with style by Fransoafran. He is joined by Dmitry Lesenko on bass, Jose Ramon Madrid Alonso on guitar, and Drummer Nicolas Bonneyrat. The emotion behind the song is long-distance relationships and the longing feeling of living life apart. It was composed in Australia and recorded and produced in Vietnam with mastering by Erwin Maas in the Netherlands. The multiple sections of the composition are filled with variety and Fransoafran’s solid violin techniques. The feel is kept moving and focused by Lesenko and Bonneyrat as Alonso adds beautiful colors. The multiple violin parts behind the melody add fullness and robust color. The different sections not only vary in feels but density in orchestration and activity, giving the song an enjoyable flow and song form. Fransoafran’s “Dance Without You” is an organic display of creative composing, playing and production that combine to create a beautiful song of beauty. That’s the short of it!