REVIEW OF ASHLEY COOKE'S 24 TRACK DEBUT ALBUM

Rising Country Singer-Songwriter, Ashley Cooke who is signed to Big Loud Records/ Back Blocks Music is releasing her DEBUT ALBUM, shot in the dark out TODAY (Friday 21st July).

shot in the dark is made up of 24 tracks.

Tastes Like has a proper country feel reminding me of the exact reason, I feel in love with the genre in the first place. I like the energy from the upbeat lyrics which are also so much fun. The chorus continues with the fun times within the lyrics that I think many people will be able to relate with. The way that the chorus brings every single verse together is great and cleverly done throughout. When the second verse kicks in you get the moment that relationship ended remembering why as you go over every single little detail. The final verse is a little slower but the fun verse of the song. Tastes Like is the perfect karaoke song in my opinion.

It's Been A Year opens with a guitar instrumental that compliments the song throughout beautifully. The first verse sees Ashley's crisp soft vocal tone with lyrics that have a beautiful story around the song-writing and one that I instantly caught myself getting emotional over. It's amazing when you sit back and just listen how much can happen within 12 months with it being not until you hear songs like this that you realise. The chorus features many beautiful soft lyrics that bring the song together fantastically due to the catchiness of the lyrics showing everyone what a brilliant songwriter Ashley is! The more the chorus is repeated the more the lyrics are perfect for being repeated throughout as every time you hear a little more attention to detail of what can happen within a year. The second verse continues the story taking a little turn within the relationship side - the way that Ashley isn't afraid to sing about something many of her listeners would have gone through this year is beautiful. Ashley wears her heart on her sleeve throughout her music which makes her a special kind of artist. Ashley's softer vocal in the final verse into chorus gave me goosebumps thanks to the stunning sentiment within the lyrics. The message from It's Been A Year is that we all need to appreciate the little moments because it's what makes you stronger whatever happened.

See You Around (feat. Nate Smith) begins with a soft guitar instrumental that supports Ashley's soft crisp vocal especially in the first verse as heartbreak feels come in as you try and move on even though it's hard. The chorus is soft and catchy mixed with Nate's beautiful tone sees a stunning match for this duet. The moment that Nate's vocal shine within the second verse the song is taken to another level with more memories coming to light. The final verse brings the song together beautifully with some emotional moments, but Ashley's soft vocal ahead of the final chorus is great to hear.

Shot in the Dark has a soft instrumental highlighting Ashley's crisp vocal with many heartfelt moments. The message within Shot in the Dark is brilliant and one that everyone will be able to relate with in many different ways. The chorus brings the song together wonderfully especially as it highlights that moment when you are able to start a relationship and you go all in taking that chance which can be scary and understandable so. The development within the next two verses of Shot in the Dark there is something so special about Ashley's vocal tone. The highlight of the song for me happens in the bridge thanks to the powerful moments.

Moving on with Grace is a upbeat song breaking up this album brilliantly as this song showcases break up and one that I feel many people will appreciate as the this song sees another side of who Ashley is as an artist. The purity within Ashley's vocal throughout the chorus with lyrics that have a fantastic feel. The second verse talking about the moving with a new relationship. The chorus links all the verses together fantastically. However, it is the upbeat vocal from Ashley in the middle is great.

Getting Into starts with a magically soft guitar instrumental which is beautiful with all three verses seeing Ashley's soft vocal tones being showcased that is rather beautiful allowing for her to show off her fantastic songwriting giving her listeners a really good feeling for 3 minutes. Getting Into takes us listeners on a beautiful journey right from the start. The chorus features some of the most gorgeous and thought about lyrics, the more I hear the song the more I love the lyrics and catch myself singing along. The journey the chorus takes you on is beautiful and honest that many people will be able to relate with! The vocal tone becoming a little softer make the song even more special. The second verse for me was the part of the song that I caught myself getting rather emotional over having caught myself feeling the way that Ashley is singing so much so that I had to stop and have a little moment to reflect.

Enough To Leave begins with a soft guitar instrumental complimenting Ashley's crisp vocal which opened up the song and stayed fantastically throughout. Ashley's storytelling throughout Enough To Leave is fantastic allowing for us listeners to hear another fantastic side of who Ashley is as an artist. The message of being alone after you have left that relationship/ person, but moving on because it's the one thing that you know is the best thing to do despite the initial struggles but also realising that they and you need to move on to grow as hard as that is to do. WOW, Ashley's tone throughout compliments the lyrics fantastically allowing for the story to develop and their journey to continue to become the people we are supposed to be. The bridge and final chorus in a much softer tone gives a sentimental feel. Enough To Leave is another song that Ashley has written from the heart.

I Almost Do has a guitar instrumental which compliments the sentimental feel beautifully storytelling with such honesty. The chorus is filled with all those 'almost do' moments following the end of a relationship allowing for some crisp vocal moments. Even though moving on is hard as the lyrics show within I Almost Do as they get you thinking - I caught myself shed a tear as the second verse came in. What a powerful song!

Mean Girl (feat. Colbie Caillat) has a guitar instrumental complimenting Ashley's soft vocal tone thanks to the honesty and vulnerability within the lyrics. The honesty is shown throughout many moments due to the choice of lyrics that many times caught me getting emotional. The chorus highlights Colbie and Ashley's stunning harmonies mixed with many emotional lyrics that are also so powerful especially as it happens to many people. The lyrics are ones that just roll of your tongue that I love as listeners will enjoy them. The second verse saw Colbie adding her crisp layer whilst adding a change in direction for Mean Girl as you start to look out for one another. I am so glad that Mean Girl shows that words can hurt as well as people's actions most people need to remember that! The final verse is the most powerful one. Mean Girl is a duet that I never knew I needed.

Running Back starts with Ashley's crisp vocal at the forefront allowing for many special moments right from the very start which continue throughout. The first verse is stunning due to the heartfelt lyrics that you can hear Ashley has written straight from the heart. The song-writing is beautiful that is bought even more to life as the song develops especially within the second verse. As I was listening to the chorus this was the part of the song that I caught myself getting emotional over as you can hear so much vulnerability from the fact that you would do anything to go back and be with that person despite everything. The more the chorus is shared the more the lyrics had me crying, the honesty is beautiful especially mixed with the crisp, soft, and heartfelt vocal tone. Ashley's vocal tones are perfect throughout. Artists like Ashley are so special we need to cherish them.

Good Thing Going begins with a great instrumental complimenting Ashley's sweet, crisp lyrics that are filled with a little self doubt in the first verse that quickly change within the chorus due to the little happiness that is shown within the songs lyrics. The insecurities are highlighted in the second verse as it feels like an open book. There is something great with Ashley's vocal tone and honesty throughout. I think this song will grow on me in time.

Next To You begins with a slow guitar instrumental that supports the emotional lyrics within the first verse brilliantly as it feels like a wedding that never happened due to something devastating happening, but the love that you have never leaves. I caught myself welling up due to the storytelling within the gorgeous lyrics that are breathtaking throughout. The second verse is the most powerful and honest as there were moments that I personally connected with. Next To You is a song that is so hard to listen to but one I am so glad I did.

Photo Credit: Robby Klein

Good To Be Back has an electric upbeat feel about returning to your hometown feel as the memories come flooding back and your favourite place for example within this song it is about a bar remembering the good times/ happy memories. The second verse features some stunning lyrics that are beautifully placed together - may favourite part of this song. I loved the instrumental break down in the middle as it compliments Ashley's vocal tones.

What Are You on Fire About (feat. Jackson Dean) begins with a soft instrumental that compliments Ashley's softer vocal that shines brightly throughout as the lyrics could be about any situation making the story a lot more interesting and leaves me with many questions. The chorus is sweet and Jackson accompanying her beautifully soft tone is something that is beautifully delivered. Jackson's vocal on the second verse takes the song to another meaning as the take on the lyrics is brilliant especially because of the way that the lyrics link to the chorus that both Jackson and Ashley sing on. The final chorus has a rather emotional feel as the key lyrics are repeated in a softer tone from Ashley and Jackson, but the chorus is back to it's upbeat self as it started with the song bringing it full circle.

Say No More has a crisp guitar instrumental that has Ashley's soft vocal giving a meaningful start to the song with the moving on stage of a relationship ending with a messy break-up. The lyrics within the chorus are catchy ones that also have a sentimental feel about those powerful memories with the little things that made the relationship what it was. The more the chorus repeats the more my heart breaks allowing for many wow moments. Ashley's vocal tones are beyond stunning throughout!

Tryin' To Love You is a completely different style of song due to the purity within the storytelling is beautiful and ones that will get you thinking instantly about our own experiences. The chorus lyrics are stunning as well as being catchy with a lot of honesty being featured are special. The harder moments are shared openly with such courage as it's hard as it can be, however, it is the final verse is about falling in love even if it is half hearted.

Back In The Saddle opens up with a soft guitar instrumental that honestly sets the tone of the song up wonderfully complimenting the song as a whole. The first verse sees Ashley's crisp vocal at the forefront that stays throughout with some heartfelt lyrics shining through thanks to Ashley's beautiful and honest songwriting skills. The attention to detail is fantastic especially within the second verse. The chorus is emotionally raw and full of a mix of emotions that blend perfectly in with every single verse. The lyrics are super catchy and are full of such a journey that I caught myself crying a little too. The way in which Back In The Saddle is written you can hear so many personal moments making it an even more special song. The final chorus brings the song to the perfect end with such energy that you can hear the turn on the lyrics. Brilliant!

Your Place has guitar instrumental supporting the song brilliantly throughout. Your Place instantly gives you the feel of a relationship that didn't work out and why moving on is the best thing you can do. The chorus features some heartfelt lyrics that talk about our your ex hasn't the right to say about what you do next and that they do longer have permission to say what you can can and can't do anymore. The emotional lyrics about seeing your family after so long saw a lot of vulnerability shared. The catchy lyrics throughout the chorus were fantastic, however, Ashley highlighting Your Place' key lyrics in the bridge is a softer tone was a great beautifully sweet moment for the song.

Dirt on 'em has a little more upbeat instrumental that I have to say I wasn't sure about as it started but as the first verse kicked in, I realised why and really enjoyed it as Dirt on 'em continued. The crisp vocals from Ashley on the first verse were beautiful allowing for the lyrics to shine through right from the start due to the brilliant song-writing. The chorus is upbeat with a fun loving feel to it due to the fun and sassy lyrics that Ashley has written showing another side of who she is as an artist - love it when artists do this when you least expect it. The second verse adds another brilliant side of the story from Ashley - we all know someone who know a little too much about and it remembered me of someone I knew in High School and they through some dirt on most our year group. As the chorus came it was the vocal tone change from Ashley that bought something new, like it was the first time I was listening to an Ashley Cooke song.

Build A Bridge feels like a scene from a movie with the radio at the start. The powerful verse with heartfelt lyrics filled with the hurt you learn to live with after accepting it - stop blaming others for your behaviour. The songwriting is beautiful and takes you on a journey that is hard to listen to at times, but one I am glad has been written. The more I hear the song the more the songs meaning becomes apparent.

Get You has a soft instrumental setting up the song beautifully with Ashley's softer tones with lyrics that are written from the heart. The chorus is a rather catchy one that is filled with moments of when you just got that one person. The second verse continues with some beautifully heartfelt moments with some brilliant storytelling shown, linking into the chorus in a great one. I really enjoy the crisp tones that Ashley has shown throughout.

Never Til Now (feat. Brett Young) begins with an upbeat guitar instrumental. The first verse shares the some of the insecurities you really going into a relationship/ when you are thinking about entering one where make for powerful listening especially that moment can change everything even if there are some scary moments ahead which you can hear in the truthful lyrics. The chorus features many powerful moments and lyrics that highlight the everything changes in your life moment as you start to build your lives together. It was as Brett Young joined with the second verse that saw the songs dynamic change adding another perspective to this already brilliant song. Ashley and Brett's harmonies blend really well - a duet I never knew I needed!

Gonna Get has a funky instrumental to start ahead of Ashley's crisp heartfelt lyrics from the start due to fact of getting over someone. The chorus is gorgeous which made me cry a few times many WOW moments for me throughout this song from me. The songwriting is filled with such honesty and real life experience is great to hear. I love the moment of realisation of what you have lost in that moment and the once it's gone it's gone feeling as the lyrics get you thinking.

State I'm In is the perfect song to end this 24 track album with as it is one that brings the album together perfectly. The piano instrumental is wonderful with the hometown feel coming in along with the states lines you have visited on many tours highlighted with Ashley's crisp tone. The chorus sees an open hearted young lady with such honesty showcased within her songwriting that always gets you thinking at all the opportunities you have experienced and how hard it is being away from home all the time especially with the ones you love. The open book of dreaming chasing is special as the tears start rolling down my face. However, it is the third verse that sees the adulthood moments come to life and about how everyone's journey is so different, and that it is OK!

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