Frances Ancheta – Saving Graces
Three years ago, Frances Ancheta began work on what would become her fourth studio album. The Filipina-American singer-songwriter from San Francisco worked from her home studio on nine songs that would come to define the coronavirus era. As a creative arts therapist and mental health advocate, she brings a unique perspective on music as a healing medium. “Saving Graces” is the result: an intimate yet professionally produced album about resilience.
The opener “In My Time of Need” immediately sets the tone with a trippy guitar riff that hovers somewhere between psychedelia and indie folk. Ancheta’s voice sounds warm yet vulnerable as she sings about “how life goes”. Her use of vocal textures, especially those characteristic ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’, gives the song a meditative quality that returns throughout the entire album.
Musically, Ancheta manages to naturally blend different styles. “The Place Where I Need to Be” opens with a country-like guitar line, while “This Haze” introduces jazz elements. The rhythm section, consisting of Peter DeHaas on drums and Mjoy on bass, forms a solid foundation. Guitarist Mr Sushi particularly deserves praise for his tasteful and varied contributions that give each song its own character.
The strongest moments can be found in songs like “Living With” and “Self Love”. The former deals with inner strength, with the striking line “tired of always falling down”, supported by subtle percussion that reinforces the story. “Self Love” works as a self-reflective therapy session, complete with a hypnotic vocal hook. Although the pre-chorus feels somewhat clunky, the excellent guitar work more than compensates for this.
“No More Judgments” is about self-acceptance with the direct message “let’s like ourselves right now”. It’s representative of Ancheta’s approach: no beating around the bush, just honest communication about difficult subjects. The closing track, “When That Day Comes,” offers hope with country tinges and an optimistic melody about finding love.
There lies the album’s limitation as well. Ancheta consistently chooses directness over mystery. Her lyrics and melodies are sometimes too straightforward, lacking the ambiguity that can make folk music so powerful. The arrangements stay within safe boundaries, making the album predictable.
Yet “Saving Graces” transcends these shortcomings through the sincerity of Ancheta’s approach. She literally uses music as therapy, not only for herself but also for listeners struggling with mental health. The album sounds warm and inviting, without ever becoming sentimental. For those seeking music that offers comfort and hope without false promises, Ancheta delivers exactly what the title suggests. (7/10) (Independent release)
