We Speak Music

Rising Star ASH Unleashes Compelling New Single “Reverse Psychology”

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2024

In a vibrant intersection of genres, rising global artist ASH is redefining the boundaries of contemporary music with her distinctive brand of alternative R&B. Known for her resonant vocal layering, bilingual lyricism, and masterful electronic production, ASH is emerging as a formidable presence in the international music scene.

Following the acclaim of her debut single, “Infatuated,” ASH has released her highly anticipated follow-up, “Reverse Psychology.” This latest single showcases her exceptional versatility and creative prowess. ASH’s ability to compose, write, produce, and perform every element of her music speaks to her limitless potential as a multi-hyphenate artist.

ASH’s sound is a rich fusion of R&B, rock, indie, and neo-soul, transcending traditional genre boundaries to create an immersive and uniquely personal sonic experience. Her commitment to artistic integrity extends beyond music, as she also directs her own music videos and oversees every detail of her creative output. With “Reverse Psychology,” ASH solidifies her distinctive voice and establishes herself as a standout talent on the global stage.

Raised in the international community of Beijing, ASH’s musical journey began early. A classically trained pianist from age four, she expanded her skills to include guitar, bass, and drums during her teenage years. Balancing a rigorous academic path with her musical passion, ASH attended the prestigious University of Pennsylvania. There, she gained recognition through sold-out live performances and continued her artistic growth. Her dedication earned her a scholarship to The New School in New York City, where she pursued a Masters in Music and refined her craft. The demo for her project Holding Water drew the attention of Grammy-award-winning mixing engineer Jeff Ellis, known for his work with Frank Ocean, Doja Cat, and Kali Uchis, who mixed her forthcoming EP.

“Reverse Psychology” delves into the emotional intricacies of a deteriorating relationship. ASH captures the raw essence of trying to salvage something irreparably broken through her poignant vocals and delicate guitar lines. The track’s intoxicating beat complements the heartache expressed in the lyrics, portraying how emotional manipulation can erode trust and lead to a profound sense of defeat.

ASH’s music is a bold testament to her artistic vision. With “Reverse Psychology,” she not only continues to demonstrate her unique creative talents but also makes a significant impact on the contemporary music landscape. As she continues to push boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide, ASH’s rising star is one to watch closely.

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We Speak Music

Michele Ducci teases new album with uplifting indie single ‘Woman Like You’

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2026

Don Reed

Michele Ducci has unveiled the second single, ‘Woman Like You’, from his forthcoming album and animated film ‘Snail in the Clouds’.

‘Woman Like You’ pairs bright distorted electric guitar with an electronic drumbeat, adding in Ducci’s soulful vocals and a catchy uplifting chorus with Letizia Mandoleisi’s sweet vocal harmonies. A vintage organ pedalboard operated by Ducci simultaneously generates chords, bass and rhythm, like a one-man band. Shane Kennedy (Girl in the Year Above) joins in on guitar. Simon Milner (Is Tropical, Ysing) recorded and produced the track at his 4am Studios in London.

The album and film tell the story of a planet called ‘Snail’, inhabited by hybrids – primarily a mixture between scorpions, snails and humans – who lead a life according to the style of Pythagoras, devoted to music. There is also a cloud man named Agostos, a writer of musical operettas, who together with a talking smoke machine called Doctor Subtilis, begins to kill all hybrids, targeting in particular the hybrid musician Diodoros and his band, in an effort to steal the ark of melodies, an ancient ship that allows the whole planet to survive with music and joy.

The video for the single, created and animated by Ducci and Mandoleisi, delves further into the realm of planet ‘Snail’:

Says Ducci, “The ark of melodies, after various attempts, finally starts to work and fly in the planet Snail, while the shady Doc. Sub. and Agostos, with their platoon of soldiers made of foggy smoke, spy the miracle, planning to steal the ark for their evil and tyrannical purposes.”

About the track, Michele says, “I wrote this song for my love Letizia. Love seen from the mind is the sound we make. Sound is the love of matter.

We used a Technics synthesizer organ from a flea market. I tried to find a mood that was right for the song and I started using the bass of the pedal board together with the synth and the drums, and it was magical to hear the song reveal itself all coming from a single instrument. Leti was singing with me and we recorded everything live in one shot. Then we made Shane do the guitar flight, as if he came out of the window. The idea was to maintain disproportions, guitar thrust and synth drum thinness a la Haroumi Hosono, so as to create an estrangement, but naturally: it’s about how I listen, with close up something that captures me in its nuance as element of a larger orchestra somewhere. I’m glad we decided in the studio with Simon to use the layers of arrangement as the close-ups in the cinema; they look like strange enlargements that perch on parts of a mutated orchestra. I’m happy to come back with this love song at a time when everything seems to opt, even my labor in managing the flows of selfishness that have poured out on me while doing this album, for the sound of war. I’m here happy to be able to say that the sound of love always wins as did for me. Snail in the clouds is one of the most important works in my life and I am glad to start from pure love for this album that is my son.”

The album and full-length film will be released on the 5^th of June on Monotreme Records.

Michele and Letizia’s previous musical short film, ‘The Great Book of Nature’, is an official selection for the 2026 Venice Shorts Film Festival.