New to our blog, Ashley Woods makes us fans thanks to her album, inner child.

By Graeme Smith

A Vancouver, Canada-born, Los Angeles, USA-based singer songwriter, Ashley Woods is debuting on our blog thanks to her personal album, inner child, a tale of self-discovery and healing.

The album’s title track gets things going with a delicate, nostalgic intro. The compelling quality of Ashley’s voice is immediately on display, given plenty of space by the acoustic instrumental, as is the personal nature of her lyrics. Hometown follows in much the same vein musically, meaning that the autobiographical detail of Ashley’s lyrics take the strain, doing so ably.

Stay is an early highlight thanks to its bittersweetness and use of ambient audio. Country road gives a nod to our fair shores as well as John Denver. Ashley’s vocal is particularly charming during its lilting chorus. I love you but you make me sad is a tender moment led by keys.

Somebody represents an emotional turning point in the album, where Ashley begins to throw off the melancholy for defiant hope. It’s followed by the reluctant, philosophical brightness of olivia before we get a reflective outro. The three tracks mean that the album ends on its strongest footing.

Ashley’s album is such a wonderous listen. Her storytelling lyrics, and the expression with which she delivers them, had me hanging on every word. She’s put a lot of herself into each of its tracks, and it makes for an irresistible, sometimes heart-breaking, listen.

Inner child is out now and you can give it a listen below.