Frayed the Video
Jane Allison returns with her second video from the critically acclaimed folk rock album ‘Like Magdalene’
Hot on the heels of the single release Frayed, award winning musician, actor and writer Jane Allison delivers another movie inspired music video collaboration with Foxy Motion Films on August 4th.
It’s the blades of the helicopter that cut through – a shorthand to Apocalypse Now, to Vietnam, to the Sixties and the destruction that came after the summer of love. The promise of peace and love, the reality of war. The loss of innocence. The ultimate abuse of power.
Welcome to Jane Allison’s video Frayed.
An emissary in a vintage yellow frock, guitar in hand as the helicopter blades whirl and the Forces Sweethearts smile to crowds of enlisted young men, arms outstretched, reaching for something indefinably beyond their grasp. The exchange of life and liberty for a military beret signed by a beauty queen.
A smoky torch song with an empowering twist - an anthem for our era that battles the cliched “sad songs of love”. A call to embrace your inner Joan of Arc, march to your unique beat and blaze your own trail.
"Jane Allison cements her place as a compelling and visionary artist. Her ability to craft a captivating narrative through music is matched only by her undeniable talent as a performer." Plastic Mag
"In a world where conformity is frequently the norm, Jane Allison emerges as a vibrant force, brandishing her new video “Frayed” like an immense sword of revolt" Songweb
"A dark and moody vibe, filled with unique charisma and charm."FVMusic
"Jane Allison is an artist who inhabits her own unique world, one that seems to stretch back into the past and stride into the future, a world where genres are fluid concepts and generic demarcations are there to be neatly stepped over. It's a world that you are going to love, and Frayed is all you need to find your way there." Dancing About Architecture
"With “Frayed,” Jane Allison cements her place as a compelling and visionary artist. Her ability to craft a captivating narrative through music is matched only by her undeniable talent as a performer." Plastic Mag
Welsh folk trobairitz Jane Allison returns with her second single FRAYED from the critically acclaimed folk rock album “Like Magdalene”
Award winning musician, actor, writer and songwriter Jane Allison (Stanness) releases her second single from the album Like Magdalene, her third collaboration with the talented musician and producer Alonza Bevan (Kula Shaker). Embracing the darkness while also seeking the light is core to Janes songwriting . Her three solo albums have grabbed the attention of reviewers, dj's and audiences alike with ‘Like Magdalene’ being featured on Spotify's New Music Friday. Her debut album ‘Just Another Girl’ showcased her exquisite vocal capability over ten Americana-drenched ditties. "A clean and polished country gem hidden amidst the city smog" Bristol Live ~ Sounds like something off PJ Harvey’s "Let England Shake’" Lost In The Manor ~ "Spacious and soft, yet emotionally gripping." Rock Times DE . With her second release, Methylene Blue, Jane crafted an album of maturity and simple beauty that enchants and delights from start to finish. “Just occasionally, an album comes along where almost from the first note the music just reaches out, wraps itself around you and reaches deep into your very soul. A real gem! Seek it out. 9/10 ” Americana UK
It was the late Nora Ephron who coined the phrase, ‘it’s all copy…’ about living life on her terms, the slow burn of turning the events of her life into words.
And so it is. Dancing on the pinhead between frayed and afraid, this modern day anthem invites us to glance towards Bonnie Rait’s Dimming of the Day or Stevie Nick’s Songbird, before spinning away, dancing to a new tune, more call to arms than falling into them.
Describing her single as 'a song dealing in the quiet rebellion against vampires and villains who come in the guise of leaders, lovers or friends. A tale of triumph over duplicity and deception, betrayal and treason – whether of the heart, on the battlefield – or everyday life behind closed doors…’ Jane Allison gives us the matches to burn our bridges, let them light our way.
With all the broken smokiness of the torch song this single gathers strength, defiance, courage, slaying the dragon of the ‘sad songs of love…’, a show of strength, a genre with a twist, a song for our times. The power of the lyrics is enhanced by the warmth of the vocals and their soaring assurance, the swell of resolve echoed in the melodies and harmonies that sweep us through. As she hits her stride Jane invites us all to grab the torch, hold it up, reimagine it for the dark times we’re in … take heart, lead the way. Unafraid, unapologetic, as she strides into the future of her own making. A latter-day Joan of Arc, blazing her trail, marching to her own beat.
An accomplished performer in every sense, Jane knows exactly how to infuse her work with drama and keep an audience spellbound. As actress Jane Stanness she is best known for her comedic character roles the most recent being GCHQ’s cryptanalyst Mary in the comedy TV series “Intelligence” written by Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso) and starring alongside David Schwimmer. Her writing partnerships include BAFTA award winning successes such as Nighty Night and Sally4Ever with dark star Julia Davis and the recent quirky mini radio play “Greetings” with Crispian Mills, in which she also plays many of the characters.
FRAYED is due for release on July 21st ~ an exceptional ear worm that you'll have on repeat all summer.
The M*A*S*H inspired video for Frayed is due to drop on August 4th at 4pm GMT
“Frayed” is a soul-stirring delight that depicts Jane Allison’s exceptional artistry and musical finesse." Sinusoidal Music
“Her flow is exquisite and laced with charisma.” KiMU press
"A voice of scrubstone-denim and mulberry wine” RawRamp
"Gorgeous sonic blends of 70’s English folk revival, lush Laurel Canyon haze, rustic, acoustic charm and Celtic cool." Dave Franklin
"There are artists who pull on our nostalgic heartstrings to reel us in, and then there are artists who genuinely seem an echo of an earlier era, born perhaps out of time. For a while, you couldn't move for artists trying to sound like Dusty Springfield (and, of course, never quite getting there) or Bob Dylan (ditto), but Jane Allison is certainly not one of those. For all the 60's vibe that runs through her music, there is never any sense of plagiarism, plundering, or merely revisiting past glories. Instead, she at once sounds like an artist of the here-and-now and one that could easily have been setting alight the Greenwich Village coffee house scene of the late '60s, a contemporary of Joan Baez, Tim Buckley and Judy Collins.
Frayed, the new single from Like Magdalene, an album which received praise from industry pundits and discerning music fans alike, is a perfect example of her ability to stand with one foot in both past and present. And it has nothing to do with anything as obvious as just trying to sound like those times; it is more a vibe, a sense, a feeling. One built of slightly shaded chamber-pop moves and alternative folk grooves. Of sumptuous harmonies and lush production qualities. A sound that is both way behind current musical fashion and so far ahead of the curve.
It is a song built on tension and anticipation, edge and atmosphere, a sweet blend of darkness and light, of delicacy and drive, groove and grace of melody and just enough musical muscle to take the song beyond merely pop or folk realms and into the world that the likes of Nico built around herself to such great effect.
Jane Allison is an artist who inhabits her own unique world, one that seems to stretch back into the past and stride into the future, a world where genres are fluid concepts and generic demarcations are there to be neatly stepped over—a world where fad and fashion are far too transient concepts to be caught up in.
It's a world that you are going to love, and Frayed is all you need to find your way there." Dave Franklin Dancing About Architecture
"The captivating allure of “Frayed” lies in its charming and timeless indie folk sound. Collaborating with the talented musician Alonza Bevan, who plays bass for the renowned rock outfit Kula Shaker, Jane Allison presents a sensational slice of stunning songwriting that’s sure to stand the test of time.
Led by Jane’s commanding vocal delivery, the song offers a blend of guitar tones from acoustic strums to bright plucks and subtly gritty drones, creating a hazy and enchanting atmosphere. As the drums kick in, the track takes flight, infusing the folk backdrop with rock-inspired elements. The addition of piano notes adds to the rhythm, while the skanks of guitar chords accent the infectious groove.
The chorus is where “Frayed” truly shines, led by Jane’s alluring vocal leads. The lyrics evoke a sense of strength, defiance and courage, conjuring a rousing and empowering atmosphere. The power of the lyrics is matched by the warmth and assurance in Jane’s vocals, resonating with the listeners as they sweep through the melodies and harmonies.
With “Frayed,” Jane Allison cements her place as a compelling and visionary artist. Her ability to craft a captivating narrative through music is matched only by her undeniable talent as a performer. As she continues to explore the complexities of human relationships and emotions, Jane Allison’s music serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, guiding us through the darkness and inviting us to embrace our own strength and authenticity." Plastic Mag
"Jane Allison returns with her hugely catchy, deeply poetic and richly melodic new single FRAYED- A call to action for anyone with rebellious streak. With a penetrating riff, gorgeous dose of Cohen-esque phrasing and a subtle backdrop of 60's vibes. Put it on full volume in the car, preferably a convertible, and you'll be hooked.
Jane Alison is a singer, songwriter who always masterfully combines sensitivity and power in her music and F.R.A.Y.E.D is no exception, in fact it's a masterclass of light and shade. Laying bare a narrative of overcoming, it is not a song purely about a woman undone, but a woman raising her voice, guitars and harmonies against a less tender world, never screaming, yet still powerfully and beautifully empowering.
It's at home as one heck of a break-up song but I like to think of it as a middle finger to anyone who kept you down and this is the song that might just pull you back up again. as the lyrics sing out 'But I never vowed to forever take my aim and miss ,And Iʼm not your shame, Iʼm not your pain"
An infectious earworm you'll have on repeat all summer" Gina Coyle - Freelance music journalist