Willson (album)

Last updated

Willson
Ashe - Willson album.png
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2024
Length43:29
48:11 (physical)
Label Self-released
Producer
  • Collin Pastore
  • Jake Finch
Ashe chronology
Rae
(2022)
Willson
(2024)
Singles from Willson
  1. "Running Out of Time"
    Released: June 28, 2024
  2. "I Wanna Love You (But I Don't)"
    Released: August 2, 2024
  3. "I Hope You Die First"
    Released: August 2, 2024
  4. "Ashe"
    Released: September 4, 2024

Willson is the third studio album by American singer Ashe. It was released on September 6, 2024, and is her first album as an independent artist.

Contents

Background

In 2023, she was scheduled to embark on her Fun While It Lasted Tour. However, she announced the tour was canceled on February 1, 2023, citing she no longer felt "mentally healthy or resilient enough to go back on tour yet" and forced herself to take a break for her mental health. [1] [2] On June 21, 2024, she gave her first live performance in over a year where she performed "Moral of the Story" with Niall Horan during his Saratoga Springs stop on his tour. [3]

Promotion

On June 27, 2024, she announced her new album Willson would release on September 6, 2024, and is her first album being an independent artist. The lead single from the album, "Running Out of Time", was released on June 28, 2024. [4] [5] She released her second and third single, "I Wanna Love You (But I Don't)" and "I Hope You Die First" on August 2, 2024. [6] She released the fourth and final single "Ashe" on September 4, 2024. Willson embarked on the Trilogy Tour in May 2025 in support of her first three albums. [7]

Critical reception

Willson ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Ithacan Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [8]
WA Ghostwriter9.8/10 [9]

Willson received generally positive reviews from critics. George Gassaro of The Ithacan wrote that the album strikes a strong balance between maintaining Ashe's signature sound and moving beyond her earlier work, calling it "a great start to what should be a very satisfying return to music". [8]

Sullivan Jordan of Off the Record Press noted that she "made a strong and intimate comeback with her most personal album yet." Willson was also described to have built tension and explore her vocal range, doing so with vibrant and earthy instruments that help complement her voice. Jordan also credited her powerful and heartbreaking lyrics as the star of the album. [10] Sara Metivier of WA Ghostwriter as "the perfect balance between heartbreaking songs and ones that are more upbeat, making the listeners feel happy for Ashe." [11]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ashlyn Willson, Collin Pastore and Jake Finch, except where noted. All tracks were produced by Pastore and Finch.

Willson track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Please Don't Fall in Love with Me" 2:45
2."Running Out of Time"
3:35
3."Pull the Plug" 3:19
4."Cherry Trees" 3:03
5."I Wanna Love You (But I Don't)" 4:18
6."Helter Skelter" 3:48
7."Dear Stranger" 3:31
8."Hornet's Nest" 4:10
9."Castle" 3:20
10."Don't Do Me Any Favors" (physical editions only) 3:42
11."I Hope You Die First" 3:26
12."Devil Herself" 3:53
13."Ashe" 4:21
Total length:48:11

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

References

  1. "Ashe cancels all tour plans to tend to 'struggles and wounds' with mental health". Audacy. February 2, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  2. "At the Peak of Her Success, Ashe Disappeared. Now, She's Ready Discuss Why She Did It (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  3. Shahen Jr., Jim (June 22, 2024). "Concert review: Niall Horan brings good vibe, energy to SPAC". timesunion.com. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  4. Gehlich, Clare (June 28, 2024). "Ashe announces new album Wilson set for September release". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  5. Mosk, Mitch (July 9, 2024). ""I'm Not Sure If I'm in Love, But It Feels Like Freedom": Ashe Talks Independence, Empowerment, & Her Own Liberation with "Running Out of Time"". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  6. Hastings, Hailey (August 2, 2024). "What's New This Week: Olivia O'Brien, Maren Morris, And More!". The Honey POP. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  7. Denning, Reagan (October 29, 2024). "Ashe is making her comeback to the stage with 'Trilogy Tour'". www.melodicmag.com. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Gassaro, Georgie (September 9, 2024). "Ashe is back to reclaim her genre-fusing sound and reassert her artistry in 'Willson'". The Ithacan . Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  9. Metivier, Sara. "Ashe makes a comeback with new album 'Willson'". WA Ghostwriter. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  10. "Ashe Finds Her Freedom in 'Willson'". Off the Record Press. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  11. Metivier, Sara. "Ashe makes a comeback with new album 'Willson'". WA Ghostwriter. Retrieved July 10, 2025.