Alexis Ffrench Dreamland

Bolstered by the rich sound of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, award-winning instrumentalists, and gospel choir, each of Ffrench’s tracks goes straight to the heart - from the Morricone lilt of the album’s title track and the hymn-like “Forever Song” to the bittersweet waltz of “Wishing” and “One,” which erupts with pure gospel joy. Beethoven’s 250th birthday gets a nod, too, with Ffrench’s ingenious, multilayered twist on “Für Elise” underpinned by a rich bass groove and punchy strings.