Ashley Cooke: ‘ace’ – EP Review

Ashley Cooke shares her brand new EP, ace, out now November 14th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

Honeyed vocals and uniquely introspective lyrics define rising country star Ashley Cooke’s new project, ace, out now. Across nine new tracks, the singer-songwriter bares her soul with a sincerity that never feels forced. 

Her raw, emotion-rich vocals shine as she unpacks heartbreak, vulnerability, and self-reflection. The Florida native co-wrote seven of the project’s tracks alongside Emily Weisband, Johnny Clawson, Lori McKenna, and other Nashville heavyweights.

Produced by the legendary Dann Huff, ace follows 2023’s 24-track epic shot in the dark. “Growing up, my dad gave me this nickname: Ace. I’m not sure if it was his love of blackjack or because it’s kind of my initials, but nonetheless, it just stuck. It makes me think of the person that I am, truly, to my core, behind closed doors,” she shares.

“It’s been about two and a half years since my debut record was released. So many incredible, bucket-list things filled the days after with the best people I could ever imagine getting to share them with. But life has a funny way of spitting rain when you think it’s gonna be a sunny day. I swear, one thing hit after another. I lost some of the most important people in my life, and health issues in my family piled up left and right. Love came, and love went.   This music is derived from those real situations. It’s brutal honesty. It’s a story in chronological order. And it’s a collection of songs welcoming you to the next chapter. This is ace. Make yourself at home.”

From the opening notes of the bittersweet “gettin’ old” to the closing moments of the heartbreakingly vulnerable “my worst fear,” Cooke’s heart and soul are on full display. The collection’s lyrics share the tale of a young woman grappling with heartache, heartbreak, the possibility of forever, and everything in between.

Standouts include the thematic opposites “talk about” and “the f word.” While “talk about” finds her speechless in front of someone she once loved, “the f word” is a clever, tender ballad anchored by a lyrical twist: the “F word” is forever.

“Yeah I should wash my mouth out with soap // ‘Cause I said the F word in front of your momma //  The first time I met her, not tryna’ start drama // Just kinda slipped out, like what the hell did I just do // I said I’d probably spend forever with you”

Sonically, the frenetic “tin foil hat (panic attack version)” is the most unique track, a building pop-punk inspired chorus that’s unexpected in the best way. Here, she grapples with jealousy and suspicion, musing “I know what it means when he looks at a girl like that.”

“baby blues” offers a playful and sexy moment of levity, while “swear words” is a feelgood uptempo that hearkens back to your favorite country ladies of the ’90s. “the hell you are” is a swampy and gritty romp, offering the most perfect country kissoff. “You’re almost convincing when you’re telling me you’re different// Yeah the hell you are,” She roars. “All that truth about your lies is you’re heaven on the eyes// But when it comes to the heart// You don’t even know the hell you are.”

“swear words” is a gorgeous and epic ballad, remnant of Carrie Underwood’s early work, while the album’s final moments, “my worst fear,” show Cooke at her most vulnerable. On the album’s final track, she weighs the pain of trading success for a relationship, struggling with her own loneliness. “Look who’s lonely now,” She emotes passionately. “Ain’t this the life you were dreaming about // Thought you had the whole thing figured out // But look around // Look who’s lonely now.”

For Ashley Cooke, ace may have been born from growth, heartbreak, and hardship, but the result is a standout project that can only be described as, appropriately, an ace.

Country Swag Picks:

1. tin foil hat (panic attack version)
2. talk about
3. the hell you are
4. The f word

ace Tracklist:

1. gettin’ old (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock)
2. baby blues (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
3. the f word (Emily Weisband / Lori McKenna / Gordie Sampson)
4. talk about (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Chase McGill / Chris LaCorte)
5. the hell you are (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Chase McGill / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
6. swear words (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Madeline Merlo / Joe Fox)
7. excuses (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock)
8. tin foil hat (panic attack version) (Emily Weisband / Seth Ennis / Mike Robinson)
9. (my worst fear)  (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)

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ace is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.