Known for her deeply relatable storytelling, country singer-songwriter Ashley Anne brings her life experiences to her music with authenticity and heart. A natural storyteller, she crafts songs that make listeners feel understood and valued, blending her heartfelt lyrics with narratives that resonate deeply with her audience. Ashley has spent the past year performing across the U.S., joining artists like Charles Wesley Godwin and Avery Anna, and sharing stages with acts such as LANCO, Lauren Watkins, Sara Evans, and Tigirlily Gold.
This summer, Ashley made her mark at CMA Fest, debuting on the Hard Rock Stage and performing at the Spotify House on the Fresh Finds Rooftop, solidifying her presence as a rising star in the country music scene.
Following the success of her debut EP ‘Dear Dolly' Ashley Anne is set to release her sophomore EP ‘call me when you land' on November 15th, 2024. This new project dives into the journey of a blossoming relationship, exploring everything from uncertainty and self-doubt to the joy of finding love. With each release, Ashley continues to grow as an artist, captivating fans around the globe with her unique style—a blend she describes as ‘coastal grandma meets country music' on her Spotify account!
Ashley Anne's new EP ‘call me when you land' dives deep into the delicate anxieties and doubts of early relationships, giving voice to thoughts many have felt but few have put so eloquently into words. Set against a spare, acoustic backdrop of guitar, banjo, and pedal steel, Anne’s vocals feel both intimate and poignant, creating a singer-songwriter’s dream.
A standout both lyrically and melodically, ‘Left My T-Shirt' opens the EP with a sense of raw introspection. Anne’s voice is layered over gentle steel guitar as she reveals the insecurities of being unsure of where she stands in a relationship. “I left my t-shirt at your place,” she confesses, “I bet it sees what you’ve been hiding from me.” It's a line that resonates with anyone who's wondered if they mean more than just a fleeting presence in someone’s life. The simplicity of the arrangement keeps the focus on Anne’s storytelling, making this track a powerful opener.
Follow up song ‘Makeup Off' sees Anne captures the vulnerability of fearing rejection for one’s true self. With soft, wistful guitar, she admits, “I don’t take my makeup off until he falls asleep,” a line that reveals the anxiety of trying to be ‘good enough.’ The fragility in her voice underscores the insecurity of hiding parts of herself, and the track’s delicate, tremulous sound conveys the feeling of being on the edge, waiting to be either accepted or abandoned.
On ‘Don't Ruin this Record,' Ashley Anne confronts a new kind of anxiety: the fear that love may disrupt a cherished dream. As she sings about a song she hopes to play at her wedding, Anne’s voice trembles, pleading for stability: “If you scratched up my heart like a vinyl, it’d be more than you I’m losing.” The time changes in the chorus add a classic country feel, with a rhythm that seems to mimic the emotional twists and turns of romantic hope and uncertainty.
Using the metaphor of a plane about to crash, Anne reflects on her tendency to anticipate the worst on ‘call me when you land.' “I’m a little scared that this ain’t going to last,” she admits, balancing between her desire for connection and her expectation of failure. With tender, acoustic instrumentation and Anne’s high, delicate voice, the song encapsulates the feeling of bracing for impact in a relationship that might just work out after all.
‘I can be a woman,' meanwhile, is a tribute to Anne’s “well-mannered man,” whose reliability allows her to feel grounded in her own femininity. “I can be a woman” she sings, as she praises the little ways he supports her without condescension. The traditional view of male and female roles may not resonate with everyone here, but the song captures Anne’s personal definition of strength and comfort in a partnership, with soft, haunting harmonies that bring out the sincerity in her words. Similarly, the EP’s closing track ‘drive you anywhere' offers a more secure side of love, with Anne’s sense of belonging taking shape through the metaphor of driving. Feeling “drunk on the superpower of his love,” she imagines taking risks together, unafraid. The pedal steel and banjo create a gentle cadence that amplifies the song’s warmth, making it the EP’s perfect, hopeful finish.
‘call me when you land' is an album filled with carefully crafted lyrics and relatable stories that centre on the complexities of romantic insecurity. The subtle musical arrangements keep the focus on Anne’s delicate yet expressive vocals and introspective songwriting. Fans of Avery Anna or Kacey Musgraves will find much to love here, though a little more variety in tempo or tone might have added some contrast to the journey along the way. Still, Ashley Anne has created an honest, intimate, and engaging EP that beautifully captures the insecurities of love, making it a strong and resonant addition to the modern country landscape.
Tracklist: 1. left my tshirt 2. makeup off 3. don't ruin this record 4. call me when you land 5. I can be a woman 6. drive you anywhere Release Date: 15th November Record Label: Independent Release Stream the EP right here
