Performance and Interview on National Public Radio:

https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2025-05-22/sessions-from-studio-a-ann-frances

 

The Daily Vault (Album Review)

After a few years now of trying to dance about architecture, most of the reviews I do are still via label submissions. However, occasionally I’ll be sent something directly from an artist I’ve never heard of, give it a listen, and find a hook—musical or otherwise—that gets me listening deeper. Such is the case with Ann Frances’ No One Wants You (You’ve Been With Too Many Men). The album starts with the title track, a catchy pop song that could be a little cloying until you listen to the lyrics. Laying out the reality of sexual double standards in a way that certainly reduces the likelihood of radio play, it’s impossible not to admire the honesty buried in the hooks.

With that lead-off, the tone for the album is set. The second track, “Parking Lot,” is a mid-tempo ode to having sex in a car with an old high school flame. Frances has a strong, clear voice that could slot easily into commercial radio, but programmers at adult alternative stations would likely balk at the lyrics, which include lines like “Let’s pretend… I’m a cheerleader that’s a little freaky.” However, I can only support taking such a fearless, if less-lucrative, route.

Musically, perhaps some comparisons could be made to Liz Phair, but with lyrics written by Annie Sprinkle. The Juliana Hatfield Three sing the lighter moments of Lydia Lunch? Maybe! There are also some punk-tinges around the edges, like the excellent “Believe Me,” that wouldn’t be out of place on a Lemonheads record. But what makes this sex-positive album have additional depth is the barb in just about every song that makes it clear that Frances knows that living your own way comes with a cost, even when it shouldn’t. Promo material indicates an early history of abuse and what has likely been a long road of working at self-acceptance, as reflected in the pure pop “Whore.” Just go around singing that one in the grocery store.

Frances has a talented and sympathetic band in guitarist/co-producer Fareed Haque, bassist Alex Austin, and Greg Fundis, whose propulsive drumming is lively without being overpowering. The musicians largely drop away on “Fever,” a slow burn with acoustic guitar, as well as cello provided by Veronica Nettles. Things slow down even further for “Lay Keppe,” a no-bells-and-whistles love song that allows Frances to further showcase her voice. The acoustic ballad “Rather” flips the previous love song on its head in a bid for the painful truth. Things pick up again with the Sheryl Crow-ish “One Winged Butterfly Girl” and Americana-tinged “Sex Object,” a pushback against being what’s spelled out in the title.

Frances covers quite a bit of musical ground on this album, especially in the last third, which is a bit of a cool down. “When You’re Here” is a jazzy torch song, and both “Gypsy” and “Sweetest Man” follow a languid, acoustic vibe, again putting the spotlight on Frances’ voice. Jonathan Rozman lends some fiddle to the two-steppin’ “Lost And Gone,” and “Take Me Back” would appeal to fans of KT Tunstall. “Cheater,” with minimal electronic rhythmic accompaniment, may be the most harrowing track, the true shadow side of the album, but leavened with hard-won self-awareness. However, Frances doesn’t let things end on that note, rather closing the record with the upbeat—both musically and lyrically—“Beautiful And True.”

If there’s a critique to be had, it’s probably that at 22 songs and 76 minutes, the album is a lot to digest in one sitting. I remember the only way I could get into The Clash’s Sandinista! was to listen to each side of the three vinyl LPs for a few days at a time. CDs (or, even more so, streaming apps) aren’t good for that kind of thing, and so the back half of this record might go a bit unheard, especially given the downshift in tone and genre jumping. But I get it; resources are scarce, and if you’ve got the material to fill an entire CD, why not go for it? If you’re looking for a no punches pulled alternative pop soundtrack to the pleasures and pitfalls of carnal knowledge, as well as the emotional attachments that go with it, desired or not, I’d recommend taking this brave journey with Ann Frances.

-John Mulhouse

 

Ann Frances: Raw Americana Anthems of Survival, Love & Unbreakable Strength (USA)

American singer-songwriter Ann Frances releases the singles “Sweetest Man”, “One Winged Butterfly Girl”, and “Rather” from her new album “No One Wants You (You’ve Slept With Too Many Men)”. This deeply personal double album blends pop, bluegrass, folk, punk, country, rock, and R&B to examine modern romance through the lens of an abuse survivor, confronting emotional aftermaths like shame, dissociation, and objectification while tracing their impact on later relationships. Yet beyond the pain, the work transforms into a celebration of self-love, healing, and resilience — delivering a raw yet hopeful narrative through its genre-defying soundscapes.

“Sweetest Man” crafts its sonic identity through a blend of Indie Folk, Pop, and Rock, radiating a joyful, romantic, and relaxed spirit. The track greets listeners with a fresh sound born from bright guitars and steady percussion—elements that instantly captivate while inviting them into an intimate musical space. This emotional journey culminates in the vocal performance, where the song’s core message unfolds: an ode to genuine love’s transformative power. Wrapped in warm, nostalgic tones, the piece becomes a sonic embrace that celebrates how true love can offer freedom, tenderness, healing, and profound authenticity. Beyond a song, it’s a vulnerable thank-you letter to love that doesn’t just stay—it liberates, reveals, and heals.

“One Winged Butterfly Girl” unfolds within Alternative Rock and Pop Rock, placing the vocals as the emotional and narrative centerpiece. The track shines through its dry, raw drumming that perfectly complements both the vocals and the guitar’s expressive intensity, resulting in an energetic yet deeply emotive anthem. It celebrates the strength, beauty, and uniqueness of a remarkable woman who, despite her challenges or differences, moves forward with unwavering grace and power.

With “Rather”, the artist returns to singer-songwriter territory through a Folk Pop lens, where the acoustic guitar and vocals engage in a flawless interplay, crafting an intimate and fragile yet emotionally raw atmosphere. The track resonates deeply as it confronts the necessity of facing reality —even when painful— rather than clinging to uncertainty, illusions, or the remnants of what’s no longer there.

–R+

 

Ann Frances is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter who has recently returned with a single “No One Wants You (You’ve Slept With Too Many Men).”

The track is a cheeky blend of 90s alt rock and pop in the vein of Liz Phair, cleverly discussing the “double standard concerning women who love sex.” It packs a big power pop crunch with a fun brisk feeling in the air that is perfect for summer listening.

 – Will Oliver, We All Want Someone To Shout For

 

Crikey that sure is telling us how it is and no better artist in that regard because Chicago’s Ann Frances has a direct approach, one that is peppered with a jaunty quality and by extension is a likeable nature so that we are invested in these minutes. Of course that comes from having a personality that is hip and persuasive so when all that is combined with a tune [“No One Wants You (You’ve Slept With Too Many Men)”] that is highly singalong you get an anthem of sorts and one that sends us on our merry way. Wry and perceptive stuff and genuine indication of the talent we are dealing with here.

– KH, mp3hugger

 

Ann Frances’ new album, “No One Wants You (You’ve Slept With Too Many Men)”, is ready to be released. For this big moment, the singer prepared an incredible ‘full-length’ containing no less than twenty-five songs. Inspired by existentialist events in her life, the songs are the result of romantic relationships and more delicate situations that revamped the artist’s life. Frances’ influences are quite diverse, with melodies based on pop music, but with several forays into rock, R&B, country and others. In terms of production, the upcoming album will feature modern work, full of arrangements and clear sound, catering to the most sensitive and demanding ears.

Among its two and a half dozen, songs like “Rather” stand out, which parades over the melody of wavy guitar notes, while the singer’s soft and mesmerizing voice lies in a blanket of harmony. In this song, the sweetness of the chords is so pleasant that it is possible to take comfort in sliding your fingers over the instrument’s strings. In “One Winged Butterfly Girl”, the artist’s rock’n’roll vein speaks louder, with a spectacular classic rock footprint in the 70s style. And to prove her versatility, Ann Frances also presents songs such as “Beautiful and True”, where musical complexity falls on the album, adding more relevance to the world music scene.

– Roadie Metal