Perfect Pitch: “The Dream”

Belmont Vision Multimedia, Zach Watkins

Welcome back to another edition of “Perfect Pitch,” a series where members of the Belmont Vision review the latest releases in music and look for the next big thing.   

This week, we’ll be discussing “The Dream,” the debut album from indie-alternative band The Favors.

 The band formed earlier in 2025 when singer-songwriters and producers, Ashe and FINNEAS announced their collaboration and future band with single, “The Little Mess You Made.” Both musicians have notable solo careers, with Ashe accumulating several billion streams with her solo work and FINNEAS creating his own identity as an artist while winning multiple Grammy’s and Oscar’s alongside his sister Billie Eilish.  

After “The Little Mess You Made,” The Favors also released singles “The Hudson” and “Times Square Jesus,” before the release of “The Dream” in September. The album incorporates themes of pursuing artistic dreams, the struggle of artists in Hollywood, the complexities of toxic and chaotic love while layering harmonies and 70s indie melodies. The project, which was produced by FINNEAS, runs just under 40 minutes, running the average album length for FINNEAS and Ashe respectively. 

Ava Gorney - Vision Writer 

Overall Rating: 8/10

General thoughts: As someone who doesn’t listen to either Ashe or Finneas previous to listening to The Dream, but knew of them, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this album. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed The Dream! The Dream is an incredible first album for The Favors, because as a group they already have a very apparent sound and vision. This album has a song for everyone, whether it’s a sad love song like “The Hudson”, something more hard hitting like the title track, “The Dream” or a song you can just dance to like “The Little Mess You Made.” Overall, The Dream has a very distinct sound with acoustic instrumentals and an emphasis on Finneas’s and Ashe’s vocals, which blend together extremely well. The only criticism I’d give is that since there is such a specific sound The Favors is going for, many of their songs sound similar and mesh together in my memory instead of sticking out as individual songs.

Favorite Song: David’s Brother 

Least Favorite Song: Someday I’ll Back In Hollywood 

Favorite Lyric: “I don’t know where I belong, all I’ve ever known is gone, I’ve got nothing but you to lose”

How does The Favors blend Ashe and FINNEAS’s unique styles on “The Dream?”

Ashe and Finneas deciding to collaborate was a brilliant idea, truly, because even before they created The Favors, their styles had qualities that fit well together. Finneas is known for his songwriting abilities, and Ashe is also a very clever songwriter that does unique plays on lyrics. So together, the lyricism they created through this album was absolutely incredible. They covered a lot of very heavy topics like heartbreak and the struggles of being in the industry, using witty lyrics that really encapsulated the subject matter of each song they wrote. Their voices also work very well together, while also sounding amazing separately. Ashe’s high airy voice meshes perfectly with Finneas’s smooth, deeper voice.

What does “The Dream” reveal about The Favors’ identity as a band, and how does it set the tone for their future work?

The Dream really sets the stage for what The Favors will do in the future because in one album they’ve already created a distinct and unique vibe that will likely cross over into any music they’ll make to come. Their music feels like a mix between many genres, but specifically appeals to people who enjoy folk, indie music or music that centers around raw vocals and meaningful lyrics.

Morgan Davis - Vision Writer 

Overall Rating: 8/10

General thoughts: A strong debut that balances catchy indie-pop melodies with atmospheric production. The Favors clearly draw on their influences but still manage to show their own identity. I love that there are so many different sounds to each song, but a few feel out of place within the album.

Favorite Song: Moon-Shine

Least Favorite Song: Lake George

Favorite Lyric: “I built my future out of paper walls, and still I dream it won’t collapse.”

How does The Favors blend Ashe and FINNEAS’s unique styles on “The Dream?”

I feel as though they did a great job at combining Ashe’s signature indie sound with Finneas’ layering production and vocals compared to their solo careers. They come together harmoniously, but different enough from their solo stuff to make it interesting.

What does “The Dream” reveal about The Favors’ identity as a band, and how does it set the tone for their future work?

As I mentioned before, they tried to have a lot of different “sounds” in the album. They for sure know what direction they are going, just still figuring it out. I think this suggests their future work will push that boundary of an album that’s all cohesive even greater.

Greer Patten - Photography Editor

Overall Rating: 9/10

General thoughts: 

“The Dream” is an incredible debut album for The Favors. It showcases many sides of the band, including a soft, reflective side and a faster, more vibrant side. The album has some really vulnerable songwriting and lyricism. This is a really nice highlight of the abilities of these artists. Their voices and styles are a seamless blend and it is definitely a standout album for this new band. 

Favorite Song: “The Hudson”

Least Favorite Song: “Restless Little Heart”

Favorite Lyric: “Oh, I’d never be blue if I never met you/And I’d never be wrong ‘cause you’d never be true/If you’d never been born, I’d avoid every storm I cried/For you”

How does The Favors blend Ashe and FINNEAS’s unique styles on “The Dream?”

The Favors blend their styles beautifully. Ashe’s style is very evident in the lyricism of the work. She focuses on more vulnerable lyrics that feel almost confession-like. This style and work was shown in the slower songs in the album. FINNEAS’s style came out in the layering of many of the songs and the more pop-like songs. The Favors do a really great job of showcasing both styles and both voices in different songs. Some songs the two complement each other while others are full on duets and some are just one of the two singing. 

What does “The Dream” reveal about The Favors’ identity as a band, and how does it set the tone for their future work?

The Favors have already figured out a lot as a band and they seem to have a pretty set identity and style. It is clear that they know how to not only blend the work of Ashe and FINNEAS, but to also feature them separately. They have a good balance of fast and slow songs, and can easily appeal to a large population. Overall, it was a fantastic debut album and I am excited to see what comes next for The Favors!

Anna Buescher

Overall Rating: 9/10

General thoughts: 

“The Dream” was a wonderful debut album for The Favors. The poetic lyricism, jazzy folk blend and smooth production curate 12 soothingly whimsical songs. FINNEAS’ and Ashe’s artistic chemistry prove to be a force to be reckoned with, as the bands strong sense of self makes it hard to tell this album was their first. There’s a good balance between the duo on the tracklist; the solo heavy songs don’t overtake their partnership. While most of the songs felt similar tempo-wise, the range in genre from indie to disco kept “The Dream” flowing and easy to digest.

Favorite Song: Home Sweet Home

Least Favorite Song: Necessary Evils

Favorite Lyric: “Everybody knows you’re my weakness/ You’re an open secret I’m afraid” - Times Square Jesus

How does The Favors blend Ashe and FINNEAS’s unique styles on “The Dream?”

“The Dream” is able to show off in ways most debut albums cannot. The Favors, being made up of two respected and awarded artists put them in a playing field of their own. Ashe has such a poetic way about her lyrics with the ability to paint a picture to listeners. FINNEAS has an expertise ear and is genius when it comes to layering music. The two have actually worked together in the past; FINNEAS served as executive producer on Ashe’s “Moral of the Story” Eps. They also have dueted before with the 2021 single “Till Forever Falls Apart.” Their partnership was almost a given as they work so, so well together. I’d even go as far to argue that their work as The Favors is stronger than their solo songs. 

What does “The Dream” reveal about The Favors’ identity as a band, and how does it set the tone for their future work?

It's clear FINNEAS and Ashe work incredibly well together. “The Dream” as a whole was collective and intentional, everything an album should be. Like I said earlier, The Favors have powerful chemistry as an artistic duo, so much so the music on this album feels natural. Their ability to touch a large range of genres, and do it well, perfectly highlights FINNEAS’ and Ashe’s incredible talent.  With the high bar set by this album, I am excited to see what comes next. The Favors are truly a force to be reckoned with. 

Samantha Graessle - Arts and Entertainment Editor 

Overall Rating: 8/10 

General thoughts: FINNEAS and Ashe are both well-established artists with impressive solo careers, so I had high expectations for "The Dream" by The Favors and they absolutely delivered. From start to finish, the album feels thoughtfully crafted, with each song standing strong on its own while also contributing to a larger, cohesive story. The songwriting is emotional and intentional, drawing you in with honest lyrics and melodies that stick with you. The production is smooth and modern, full of subtle textures and infectious grooves that make each track feel alive. What’s most impressive to me is how naturally the songs build on one another, creating a flow that feels more like a journey than just a playlist. FINNEAS brings his signature production style, while Ashe’s vocals add warmth and depth, making their collaboration feel both fresh and deeply connected. "The Dream" is engaging, memorable, and worth revisiting again and again.

Favorite Song: “The Hudson”

Least Favorite Song: “Restless Little Heart” 

Favorite Lyric: “You come off mean, but I know you mean well, Everybody knows that you’re my weakness/ You’re an open secret I’m afraid.”

How does The Favors blend Ashe and FINNEAS’s unique styles on “The Dream?”

They skillfully combine FINNEAS’s signature production and instrumental style with Ashe’s powerful and emotive vocals, creating a blend that highlights the best of both artists. While you can clearly hear elements that are familiar from their solo work, their collaboration goes beyond that, resulting in a fresh, innovative sound that feels new and exciting. This fusion allows them to explore different musical directions together, pushing their boundaries and offering listeners a unique experience that neither could achieve alone. The result is a dynamic partnership where production and voice complement each other perfectly, making their music stand out in a meaningful way.

What does “The Dream” reveal about The Favors’ identity as a band, and how does it set the tone for their future work?

I think “The Dream” sets The Favors apart as a band because, while it’s their debut album, both FINNEAS and Ashe are already experienced artists with successful solo careers and past collaborations. Going into this project, they were already set up for success thanks to their strong musicianship and creative chemistry. This foundation allows them to work seamlessly together and create incredible music, a promise that “The Dream” already proves with its impressive sound and thoughtful songwriting.