8/10
Having been treating us to EP after EP since 2014, singer-songwriter Frances has already proven herself a hugely diverse individual. With each extended-play release, we saw her graduate from a stripped-back crooner to a fully-fledged artist with an adept skill of transforming her voice to fit almost any musical style. Yet this debut studio album from the 23-year-old is still mostly made up of the singles from these original EPs, making for an extremely eclectic listen.
While Frances herself has received her fair-share of Adele comparisons, it is clear that her overall sound is vastly different from the conventional norms of pop-ballads. With much of the record swathed in piano-led harmonies, except for the odd track like the RnB-inspired 'No Matter' or trip-hop focused 'When It Comes To Us', Frances delivers a range of emotions and musical directions from a simple platform, showcasing not only her versatile songwriting but also an ability to engage with the listener on a multitude of ideas.
It seems simple yet impressive in its delivery. While much of the record remains this sweeping blend of harmony and atmosphere, within each track is its own individual identity, creating a collection of great poise and purpose.