Set You Free
Riled Up, 2021
9/10
The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ashley Riley is well versed in folk, Americana, indie-rock and pop ideas, and she brings all of those sounds to an easily enjoyable listen that just might make you think of Patty Griffin and Stevie Knicks on this very well thought out and unique record.
“Close To Me” starts the listen with a warm, cautious display of elegant Americana as Riley’s inimitable vocals mesmerize the listener, and “Second Guessing” follows with plenty of charming pop spirit amid a dreamy climate that even welcomes strings.
Halfway through, “Oh Song” recruits soaring backing vocals alongside precise drumming from James Treichler as Riley touches on nearly gospel ideas, while “All Fall Down” trims the pace back with sublime beauty that showcases here versatile singing alongside much atmosphere. “We All Need Love”, an album standout, then benefits from piano and a poetic display of divinely textured song craft.
Near to the end, the title track thumps with a more firm approach of melodic and gritty country-rock, and “Cut My Losses” exits the listen soothing and highly memorable as Riley weaves in and out of her inimitable and timeless formula.
An album that was pieced together over 2 years, there’s not a dull spot in Riley’s body of work, and Set You Free just might be her best yet. Artistic, intimate and also very capable of sturdy rock’n’roll, if you haven’t spent anytime with this Decatur, Illinois resident yet, well, you really are missing out.
Travels well with: Vanessa Peters- Modern Age; Hope Dunbar- Sweetheartland