With Old Hobbies, Frances Whitney invites listeners into her world by drawing the curtains back of her life revealing introspection, heartbreak, and resilience, crafting a deeply personal yet relatable debut EP. Scheduled for release on November 15, 2024, via 604 Records, the eight-track project seamlessly intertwines the spirit of 70s Los Angeles rock with the raw, lyrical sensibilities of today’s indie-folk scene. Whitney’s roots as a lifelong songwriter, as she's been writing music since just the age of six years old, shines through, showcasing her ability to weave rich, evocative narratives into delicate acoustic arrangements.
Frances' debut EP opens with the track, “Biggest Fan,” where Whitney explores a classic theme of dependency, portraying the struggle to find self-worth while enmeshed in the life of a partner. Her voice, honest and unvarnished, captures the yearning for connection, despite the cost of self-sacrifice. Each strum on the acoustic guitar underscores her vulnerability, setting the tone for an EP that feels like her journal pages have been cracked open into song.
Whitney’s standout single, “Easy Street,” takes listeners down the metaphorical road of a worn-out relationship that keeps “going nowhere.” With the soulful, nostalgic warmth of the spirit of Laurel Canyon, the track captures the ache of clinging to a romanticized ideal. This song, along with others, subtly layers in background strings and bass, lending a bittersweet edge to her folk-rooted sound. Whitney’s lyrics echo her desire for healing, capturing the tension between fantasy and reality, and ultimately encouraging listeners to find peace in letting go.
The latest single off Frances' debut EP, and the EP's fourth track, “You Left Me For Jesus” is among the EP’s most unique and striking offerings. With a significant blend of humour and heartache, Whitney channels the raw emotions of abandonment and confusion, expressing the hurt of being relegated to “just a hobby” in someone else’s life. Her voice carries the weight of her reflections, and the track’s minimalist arrangement amplifies the immediacy of her powerful and endlessly poignant lyrics.
One of the EP’s most introspective pieces, “Holding On,” follows and has listeners hear Whitney examine the bittersweet nature of two creatives struggling to sustain a relationship amid ambition and artistic challenges. Whitney’s tender guitar work that is mixed into an indie rock atmosphere, and her gentle melodies, create a space for listeners to reflect on the often-unspoken sacrifices made in the pursuit of love and art.
Tracks like “Old Friends” and the EP's penultimate track, “Twenty Something” broaden the EP’s emotional scope. Both tracks capture Whitney’s reflections on time, change, and the numerous complexities of navigating adulthood firsthand. "Old Friends" is another full fledge acoustic folk piece, whereas "Twenty Something" takes a complete 180, delivering one of the most out of pocket sonic switch ups on the project, being a twangy, country influenced indie rock arrangement. The EP's final track, “Something I Wanted,” is a fitting close, embodying her growth as she embraces both the beauty and pain that have shaped her journey to present day.
Frances Whitney's debut EP, Old Hobbies, is a testament to Whitney’s gift for confessional songwriting. Her delicate instrumentation and nuanced storytelling lend the EP an enduring quality, inviting listeners to experience a mix of catharsis, hope, and self-acceptance. In embracing her own vulnerabilities, Whitney offers an album that not only marks a new chapter in her life but also resonates as a poignant anthem for anyone navigating the tangled paths of love, self-discovery, and personal growth in their own lives.