Noah Floersch’s Francis Aquarius dives into the flaws of his messy alter ego while delivering a playful, sharp, and irresistibly fun indie pop record that proves he’s one of the most compelling young voices of the moment.
Noah Floersch has a knack for turning his own contradictions into something magnetic, and his new album Francis Aquarius is proof. Instead of presenting himself as the golden boy of indie pop, Floersch steps into the shoes of his messy alter ego: a guilt-tripping, over-drinking anti-hero who says the wrong things and knows it. The result is a record that plays like a character study, but one that never forgets to keep the listener moving with sharp grooves, cheeky hooks, and big choruses.
The 26-year-old artist, originally from Omaha and now based in Nashville, has been steadily building a name for himself through a string of smart, genre-bending releases. Singles like “Clean,” “Loneliest Girl In The World,” and “The Bird Song” showed his ability to weave pop polish with folk warmth and rock edge, all while writing songs that stick. His collaborations with Ricky Montgomery and Em Beihold, plus a full North American tour, gave him the kind of audience connection that only reinforced his gift for telling stories people see themselves in.
With Francis Aquarius, Floersch shifts gears from the bright, welcoming energy of his 2023 self-titled debut. Where Noah introduced him with a wave and a smile, this album throws listeners into the chaotic orbit of Francis, a deeply flawed creation pulled straight from Floersch’s middle name and star sign. “The last album was like, ‘Here I am, check me out, and everything’s beautiful and great,’” he explains. “This one is like, here’s this really fun facade, but don’t look too long or you might see the ugly in me. The music fucking rocks, and it’ll move your body, and it’s gonna be a blast to perform. But if you check out the lyrics a little bit, there’s some poignancy there that is very, very true for me.”
That balance of humor, raw emotion, and danceable energy makes Francis Aquarius something more than just another indie pop record. It’s playful and smart, a little self-destructive but always inviting, and it confirms Floersch as one of the most engaging young voices to watch in the indie landscape.