Album Review: Frances — Things I’ve Never Said
British indie-pop artist Frances released her first full-length album, Things I’ve Never Said, this past March. Let’s see how this 24-year-old newcomer fared on her first LP.
1. Don’t Worry About Me — 9/10
Frances takes a bold first step out of the gate on this opening track, beginning with just her bare, unaccompanied voice. However, this gamble certainly pays off, accentuating the soft, rich tone of Frances’s voice and showing off her skills even when she attacks complex melodies without instruments to back her up. But deep piano chords and lovely harmonies soon join her, and this compelling track continues with beautiful lyrics and crescendoes beautifully.
2. Love Me Again — 10/10
The delightfully unexpected melodies alone on this beautiful ballad have garnered it such a high rating, to say nothing of the warm instrumentation, impeccable harmonies, earnest lyrics, or Frances’s beautiful vocals. This is a truly stunning track.
3. Drifting — 9/10
While “Drifting” describes the sensation of being unmoored on the sea of life, Frances anchors this bouncy piano track with beautiful string accompaniment, nice percussive accents, and rich harmonies.
4. Cloud 9–10/10
The lyrics on this slow track are solemn and raw — “If you’re not in love just pretend it’s enough,” Frances sings, imploring her lover not to abandon their heavenly relationship. This entire track is beautiful, but the bridge is particularly touching. “You pulled me out of the darkness / To leave me know would be hardest,” Frances sings, tugging on our heartstrings.
5. Let It Out — 10/10
The chorus of “Let It Out” is one of the album’s best, but the entire track delivers. With warm, emotive piano accents and beautiful harmonies — particularly at 1:48, and gentle percussion, this track is a stand out.
6. No Matter — 5/10
While the message of inclusion on this track is a good one, the music is not particularly inspiring. With repetitive lyrics and messy instrumentation, “No Matter” falls short.
7. Under Out Feet — 8/10
Seeking assurance in her relationship, Frances asks, “If the world fell into my hands, / Could you bear to take the weight?” While this theme — questioning the strength of a relationship — is one that reappears on tracks like “Say It Again” and “Love Me Again,” this track features beautiful melodies and a bridge that crescendos expertly to set it apart from its compatriots.
8. Grow — 10/10
As Frances offers supportive words, she’s in turn supported by beautiful piano riffs and impeccable harmonies. While this seems to be the formula Frances uses on many tracks of Things I’ve Never Said, the beautiful, unusual melodies on this track and the lovely crescendo on the bridge help it stand out.
9. Say It Again — 10/10
“I hear three little words from your mouth, / My heart can’t figure it out,” Frances sings on this clever, honest track as she tries to let the love she’s found overcome her insecurities. With powerful lyrics, this track returns to familiar territories as it explores the vulnerability and insecurity one grapples with in relationships.
10. Sublime — 10/10
While this track is technically fine, the melodies and harmonies aren’t interesting enough to make it one of my “go to’s.” The piano instrumentation is boring and becomes slightly redundant at this point in the album, and although the strings are a nice unexpected touch at the end and crescendo beautifully, this track still fails to outshine its predecessors.
11. The Last Word — 9/10
This melancholy breakup track, reminding me a bit of Sara McLachlan’s “Angel,” moves at a slow pace to match the slow realization the lyrics arrive at — that this relationship isn’t going to outlast the storm. “You say the last word, / I would if I could,” Frances sings, unable to fathom the turn her relationship has taken. With powerful harmonies accompanied by light strings, the music on this track perfectly mirrors the strength of the emotional turmoil described.
Ultimately: 9/10
Frances’s first LP is a powerful one, with heartfelt music and lyrics. The singer has a powerful voice and uses it to tell honest, emotional tales. With minor exceptions, this album is one of the best of 2017.
