Frances Unveils Ambitious New Album, ‘Nested in Tangles’
Singer-songwriter Frances released her latest album, “Nested in Tangles,” today, a work lauded for its complex arrangements and deeply personal lyrical themes.
The album, produced with Kevin Copeland and featuring contributions from Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear, moves beyond Frances’ earlier Joni Mitchell-inspired sound toward a more expansive, orchestral style reminiscent of Laura Nyro and the progressive rock of bands like Gentle Giant. Tracks like “Falling From and Further” and “Heavy Light” create a sense of sonic scale despite being largely constructed by a small group of musicians layering multiple instruments. Even shorter pieces, such as the instrumental “A Body, A Map,” showcase intricate musicality, drawing comparisons to math-rock compositions.
Lyrically, “Nested in Tangles” explores themes of overcoming a difficult upbringing and the ongoing process of building trust. Frances herself offers a key insight into this journey with the refrain from “Life’s Work,” stating, “Learning to trust in spite of it is life’s work,” a line delivered with notable emotional intensity. The album also features poignant reflections on love and loss, as heard in “Steady in the Hand,” where she acknowledges the impermanence of even the strongest connections, noting, “It takes living and losing to know what matters.” This introspective approach to songwriting has resonated with critics, positioning Frances as a significant voice in contemporary music; you can learn more about the evolution of the singer-songwriter format here.
The release of “Nested in Tangles” is expected to further solidify Frances’ reputation as a meticulous and innovative artist, building on the success of her previous work, Keeper. Representatives for Frances stated that the album represents a culmination of years of experimentation and a commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
Frances is scheduled to begin a North American tour in November to support the album, with dates to be announced later this week.
