Neal Francis Announces ‘Changes (Demos)’ EP

Chicago-based singer-songwriter and keyboardist Neal Francis released his stellar debut solo album, Changes, in 2019. Francis put together early versions of four songs from the LP for Changes (Demos), an EP due out on March 12 via Colemine Records.

Neal, who’s hard at work on his sophomore studio album, previewed the four-song Changes (Demos) by sharing the demo for “How Have I Lived.” Francis previously unveiled the demo for the title track in October.

Changes (Demo) is available for pre-order on vinyl with just 2,000 copies pressed. “I was still trying to imagine myself as a vocalist. Singing was very new to me,” Neal explained of “How Have I Lived” to Live For Live Music, the outlet that premiered the track. “I got a lot of inspiration from J.J. Cale. He sounds effortlessly cool and sexy on his recordings without virtuosic chops. Mike Novak [the engineer] and I went after that production style. I was using a Rhythm Ace Drum Machine on all the demos to build up the tracks which placed it even more in that sound.”

Stream Neal Francis’ “How Have I Lived (Demo)” and “Changes (Demo)” below:

Changes (Demo)

How Have I Lived (Demo)

Changes (Demos) Tracklist

1. Changes (Demo)
2. How Have I Lived (Demo)
3. Lauren (Demo)
4. Can’t Live Without Your Love (Demo)