Review: Fran Lusty’s new indie-folk offering ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ serves up more of her staple, authentically raw lyricism
Indie-folk singer-songwriter Fran Lusty creates one of a kind resonant music, boasting a PhD in English Literature that sees every one of her haunting singles lyrically processing feelings that she finds cannot be expressed any other way. After releasing her first single ‘Ladybird’ in January 2021, mostly for the ears of her friends, Fran was surprised to see how quickly it gained traction from a wider audience, including a spin on BBC Introducing Sussex & Surrey, which encouraged her to release four more tracks that same year as well as further singles this year that include her staple ‘Kiss Me Sober.’ Now returning with ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ that connects with recently released ‘Kiss Me Sober’ and ‘Flight of Your Mind’, Fran is on a roll and not slowing down - and we urge you come along for the ride.
Leading with acoustic guitar, the gorgeously delicate single ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ begins simply and softly, prioritising a soundscape of sombre tones and melancholic blues. Exuding a sense of nostalgia and reflection, the downbeat nature of ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ will initially leave you pained and intertwined within its message, but in the most wonderfully stirring of ways. As things build to include the occasional vibrant touch of strings and high backing vocals that leave it feeling somewhat bittersweet, the transformative journey of the soundscape is one that’ll resonate deep within your soul for a long time to come. As Fran’s vocals lay atop the beautiful array of sounds, her impressive range is taken from deep lows to haunting highs, incorporating a few breathy moments for added authenticity and a personal touch to a song so close to her heart. The progression of ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ is one of simplicity that perhaps you wouldn’t notice build too much if you were to listen whilst distracted, but while sitting quietly and with full attention you’ll notice that the growing bed of sound is similar to the blooming flowers of the season - subtle but radiant, only there for just a short time to be appreciated, but magical in the time you’re able to notice them.
Raw and personal, the lyricism of ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ is as always an incredibly heartfelt journey of Fran’s deeper thoughts, this time penned on the experience of beginning to get into a relationship and starting to fall deeply for another individual. As Fran began to be vulnerable and let them in, the lyricism explores the doubts that couldn’t help but appear in her mind, worrying that her new partner would play her like a song, on repeat, until they could no longer listen or tolerate it. Undoubtably original, the words of ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ are an insight into dating we don’t always see, touching upon how sometimes people become obsessed with a partner initially in the aptly named honeymoon-period, before fading out of these romanticised visions over time and realising they’re not actually the right fit: ‘do you feel the same, now that you know my full name?’ Filled with questions and anxieties, Fran finds herself writing an abundance of rhetorical questions that she perhaps is too afraid to truly ask for herself, whether it be a fear of the answer or a fear that the act of asking alone will be a detriment: ‘Will you run a mile when the time comes when I say something strange to put you off?’ Everything about ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ is utterly authentic, boasting a narrative close and protective of the heart as well as a little insecure too, wanting to remind those who listen that in the end they’ll be loved by someone who can appreciate their every detail without running. Fran needn’t plead for your attention when her lyrics capture it so effortlessly, writing lines that’ll linger and songs that’ll stir emotion you didn’t realise you even had, and for that she’s by far one of the most exciting upcoming artists on the scene.
Check out ‘You Play Me Like A Song’ for yourself here to truly appreciate Fran’s moving lyrical journey and the beautiful sound it’s paired with!
Written by: Tatiana Whybrow
Photo Credits: Allie Barbs
// This coverage was created via Musosoup, #SustainableCurator.