Running Out Of Time – Ashe
★★★★☆
Following the release of her sophomore album Rae, singer-songwriter Ashe put her career on pause. Shortly after announcing a world tour, Ashe took to social media to announce her break, stating unresolved personal and mental struggles as the basis for her move away from the spotlight. The indefinite hiatus left many fans reeling, as there was no way to know when—or if—the singer would make her return.
On June 22, at a Niall Horan show in Saratoga Falls, NY, Ashe shocked the audience as she joined Horan on stage for a rendition of their collaboration “Moral of The Story.” After livestreaming the performance to her team’s Instagram page, speculation ran rampant among fans as they debated the possibility of the singer’s return to music. She had been on hiatus for nearly a year and a half at the time of the performance, and many did not believe the possibility of a return.
To the surprise of many, Ashe followed up the performance with more than just a return to social media. June 23, the day after her surprise guest appearance, was marked by a teaser video uploaded across social media platforms. Two days later, on June 27, Ashe announced the release of her third studio album Wilson, and the album’s lead single “Running Out Of Time” was released that same night.
The cover art for the track is, undeniably, an ode to the music icon Bruce Springsteen and his album Born In The USA. With the red and white striped background, the American-made blue jeans, and a shot of the singer’s back, the parallels were impossible to ignore. Fortunately, this inspiration bled into more than just the cover art. “Running Out Of Time” itself feels like a tribute to Springsteen.
As Ashe herself told fans, she’s eagerly moved from singer-songwriter pop to a more “grassroots indie sound.” The track still includes a heavyset, snappy drum beat—a signature in Ashe’s discography—but there’s something distinct about this track. The singer’s vocals are notably different from the rest of her releases. In the past, Ashe typically opts for a dry vocal production set in a higher register, like the opening of “Me Without You.” Or, she fills tracks with reverb and harmonies, like “Hope You’re Not Happy” and “Angry Woman.” “Running Out Of Time,” however, is set in the singer’s lower register. Her vocals croon out atop the playful melody.
Aside from a new vocal performance and a new instrumental style, the content of Ashe’s new release is a deviation from her past as well. Historically, the songwriter has been known to write about her failed marriage, the emotional turmoil associated with their split, or, her love for her friends. Rather than any of these topics, “Running Out Of Time” is a dive into the whirlwind relationship that Ashe began on her Fault Line Tour, with drummer John Canada of opening band The Brook & The Bluff. The track speaks of “going to see about a guy from Tennessee” and the concerns the people around them had for their fast-paced relationship. Fortunately, it seems the couple is still in a great place, and Ashe seems to be back and better than ever.
“Running Out Of Time” is a funky track with nods to the grassroots sound pinacled by Springsteen. Ashe came out of the gate swinging with this release, and it’s a great reminder of her talent and identity within the music space. With such a strong return to the spotlight, we can only sit in anticipation for what’s next from the singer, and her upcoming album is surely going to be a perfect late-summer project. I can already imagine the sunsets and beach days soundtracked by Ashe’s upcoming release.