By Charlie Maybee
This reading of Alchemical Records content provides a multimedia experience for our audience while increasing the accessibility of our content to persons with hearing loss, low vision, dyslexia, physical or motor disabilities, or are on the autism spectrum.
Long Island-based indie pop musician, Ashley Myles, is making waves with her new single “Tides” released on January 28. As the first single from her upcoming EP, it’s a soulful tune that’s primarily supported by pulsing piano and thumping bass lines.
This is R&B-soaked pop music that is reminiscent of musicians like Adele, where the vocals take center stage as the melodic and emotional drive of the song. As Myles continually comes back to the lyrical motif of “keep rolling,” there’s a sense of perseverance and encouragement that rises to the surface.
As she enters the chorus, she sings, “When most in love is lost / That’s a bridge that can’t be crossed,” alluding to the troubles that come with genuine human connection when you’ve been slighted by a loved one (romantic or not). Myles offers her shoulder as a safe space later with the line “you can lean on me,” reminding us that those connective bridges aren’t beyond repair, just in need of a little TLC.
Writing about the various themes in the song, Myles notes feelings of estrangement and getting caught in cyclical patterns when it comes to relationships. She writes that, “we often vow not to repeat the same issues that did not serve us well, and yet so often we get stuck in a pattern of doing just that.”
So, this repetitious lyrical motif of “keep rolling” becomes a mantra that is also cyclical in nature. It’s important to move through our feelings and troubled times, but perhaps there is more work to be done than just rolling through. This song offers an opportunity to stop and reflect before moving on to the next.
“Tides” is available now on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and YouTube. Be sure to stay tuned for information on Myles’ full EP. Follow our Alchemical Weekly Spotify Playlist for more great music featured on the site.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
Allie Goertz is back with a brand new, mature, raw, and honest version of herself with “Peeled Back”: a tribute to Nine Inch Nails.
On June 21, D.C.-based pop-rock artist LJR released “You”, the fifth single from his forthcoming album “When the Sky Began to Fall”.
The D.C.-based band released their sophomore album, “The Renewal”, on June 30th.
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
