San Francisco Bay singer-songwriter Frances Ancheta has been on a wild ride these last five years. Her brand new album, Saving Graces, comes tangled with all her secrets – nine indie folk, pop and rock tracks with a sweet and surprising twist.
Saving Graces is anchored in clean and classic blues rock guitar tones flooded with feeling; featuring moody jazz chords crafted with an intriguing edge; riffs dappled with both authenticity and vividly vintage inspirations; all elements dancing against acoustic and easy-listening soundscapes that are a dream to sink into.
It’s multi-dimensional too: track three, This Haze, steps into the dark side of inner uncertainty, both lyrically and in its addictively edgy harmony, closely followed by the bright and blissful track entitled Self Love, capturing a palm-tree vibe as sweet and soul-cleansing as you can imagine.
Frances Ancheta’s soft and folksy vocals are a perfect fit for storytelling, and that’s something the Filipino/US star absolutely masters on this record. Songs with a story seem to be her forte; each tune harboring a glimpse into her life’s journey, translated with astounding relatability, insights and emotions almost any listener will resonate with. Yet Frances’ music is bright as a summer’s morning as she unshackles herself from her past and carves a new path into the future.
Saving Graces is Frances’ fourth full length album, following 2020’s Hidden Gems. And it comes with one hell of a back story.
Frances composed this record during the COVID-19 quarantine era. While that period raises instant trauma for us all, Frances had a boat load of additional battles to face: she’s a cancer survivor, the mother to a special needs child and, at the time of writing the record, had recently lost her father, all whilst navigating a divorce.
As Frances tells us herself, “These songs are a reminder to myself and to those listening that in spite of all the challenges in life, we all have our saving graces, the blessings in our lives that keep us balanced, healthy and sane. And for me, a big saving grace for me is music!”
Saving Graces is the result of three years of struggle, hope and success: a reminder of human vulnerability and resilience as we’re swept through the tides of life.
Like the sound of Frances’ music? Don’t miss her upcoming EP, “Union,” where Frances will return to her Filipino roots in her very first multi-lingual musical project!
Our verdict: Highly Recommended.
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BELOW: Listen to Frances Ancheta and check out her music on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music and more. Please support Frances Ancheta by visiting her website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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