Survivor turns trauma into kick-ass rock-and-roll.

Ann Frances, Chicago-based singer-songwriter, started composing songs on the piano while in college at Harvard University and picked up the guitar shortly thereafter.

Her second, double album, “No One Wants You (You’ve Slept With Too Many Men)” takes an unflinching look at the state of American romance, from the perspective of a survivor who retains her idealism. The album delves into the aftermath of five years of sexual abuse: internalized shame, disassociation, feeling by turns objectified and haunted, as well as the choices Ann made in dealing with this aftermath, such as chronic cheating and bucking sexual mores. The album ultimately explores the joy of Ann’s self-love and healing. This musical tour de force is joyful, defiant, funny, dark and poignant.

Describing the title track and lead single, “No One Wants You (You’ve Slept With Too Many Men),” Will Oliver of We All Want Someone To Shout For writes, “It packs a big power pop crunch with a fun brisk feeling in the air that is perfect for summer listening,” and KH at mp3hugger writes, “Wry and perceptive stuff and genuine indication of the talent we are dealing with here.” The song has garnered almost 200,000 views on YouTube since debuting on January 23, 2025.

Fareed Haque, renowned guitarist, co-produces and plays on the album, giving it a vibrant, infectious sound. Haque, who has played with Sting and led numerous jazz and classical groups, brings these diverse experiences to the music. Ann has put together a touring band which includes Haque, explosive drummer Greg Fundis (56 Hope Road), C Mikhail, a promising young bassist who also performs in several Middle-Eastern groups and Regina Doss Rhymes, a powerhouse backup singer who grew up singing in Chicago’s South Side churches.

Ann can’t help but think that reading Yiddish folk tales – with their economy, poetry and humor –  has made her a better lyricist, and that her numerous lovers have been a healing, ethereal gift.