by Hannah Frances
Photography by
Grant Hindsley
“At times raucous and toiling, and at times hypnotizing in its softness, Keeper of The Shepherd is a careful excavation through the ruins of Frances’ past as she carves out what’s been lost and buried, praising the possibility of a life more whole. This album is a rebirth in every sense of the word, showcasing Frances’ virtuosic songwriting, arrangement, and musicality, while displaying a deep and churning emotional vulnerability. Across its seven sprawling tracks, here is an album that begs to be listened to on repeat, each subsequent turn revealing a new heart-splitting revelation, each song calling back to the one before it with a biting and clever clarity. In a gesture of frank and determined curiosity, Frances asks: What is mine to take hold of, and what is meant to be left behind? How do I love without losing myself? How do I heal what’s been broken and feel myself worthy again?” — Tasha Viets-Vanlear