Frances - Things I’ve Never Said

The Guardian 60

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‘I’ll do anything I can to make you comfortable,” Berkshire’s Sophie Frances Cooke sings on the first track of her debut album – a vow she upholds. Nominated for the Brits critics’ choice award and BBC Sound of 2016 poll, the singer-pianist didn’t get here by upsetting applecarts: her occasional brushes with synthpop – the lovably clattery No Matter could have done duty as an Ellie Goulding single – only highlight the deep traditionalism elsewhere. Someone has to do it, though, and for fans of mainstream balladry, Frances has much to offer in the way of warmth and craft. Generally, the sparser, the better; when it’s just her keyboard, wistful voice and an unassailable melody (Don’t Worry About Me, say), she’s rawer than you might expect. Dabbling with high-sheen pop, on the other hand (eg, the Greg Kurstin-produced Say It Again), rinses away the vulnerability that’s her strong suit. As an overall introduction, though, the album portends a future bookended by the Radio 2 playlist and not undeserved comparisons to Adele.