Frances Cone's "Better Man" is, at face value, a fairly straightforward indie track. It's guided by the vocals of a soulful singer/songwriter who's a solid back catalog and a penchant for understated sounds, able to win ears over with subtle craftsmanship. However, upon closer examination, "Better Man" is so much more that what your ears initially perceive it to be. The intro will throw you off with its crushed up synth line, but give it some time, and Frances folds in guitars and ambient textures that could just as easily be found in a folk track, or maybe in a country song. Now, we're not talking about the kind of country music where the singers have wallet chains, and their trucks, lift kits; rather, the kind of bluegrass-infused audio that served as the foundation for so many other genres. Her utilization of influences in the track, and her ability to combine them into one, beautifully produced indie single has definitely grabbed our attention, and will probably grab quite a few others' as well. Look for her forthcoming EP to be released on April 29th.
Frances Cone