This week saw Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross drop their collaborative self-titled EP, which contains six awesome tracks. These songs can be heard on their reality show on E! that is aptly titled ASHLEE+EVAN.
They are certainly one of our favourite star couples around at the moment, and this EP certainly embeds that further since it’s undeniable the love they have for one another. Ashlee Simpson was well-known in the 00’s with some incredible releases that we still listen to today, some of her hits include “Pieces Of Me”, “La La”, “Boyfriend”, “L.O.V.E.”, and “Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)” as well as the treasured Halloween track “Bat For A Heart”. She released a total of three albums Autobiography, I Am Me, and Bittersweet World, all of which charted well globally. It’s been 10 years since she released a collection of tracks, so we aren’t surprised she was apprehensive about releasing new music, but she had nothing to worry about because her vocals are superb.
Matching her voice throughout the EP is Evan Ross, who is known for his starring role in the TV show Star where he plays Angel Rivera. He has also played Messalla in The Hunger Games and has appeared in various films and TV shows, including According To Greta, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, and 90210. He is the son of American singer and actress, Diana Ross.
This EP spawned five singles, which they released week-on-week, these singles were “I Do“, “Paris”, “Safe Zone”, “Tonic”, and “I Want You”, meaning that the EP contains one unheard track upon release, which is “Home”. We’ve been loving this EP, so much so that we just had to do a track by track EP review.
I Do
This is one of our all-time favourite tracks, it’s gorgeous and full of love. It’s one of those tracks that we can see people choosing as their wedding song. Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross take turns to sing this passionate song until the ending where they give a sweet harmony. This is one heart-melting song where they confess their love for each other.
Paris
Quite a different sound to this track, Ashlee Simpson leads with a strong haunting vocal which matches the dishevelled backing track that is oh-so-addicting. It has an experimental club-R&B vibe to it that you won’t be able to get out of your head. ASHLEE + EVAN impress with their vocal capabilities bringing incredible falsettos with brassy undertones. This is a stand-out track purely because there’s nothing like this in the world of music right now.
Safe Zone
An instrumental starts this song off, proving how experimental this whole EP sounds. Ashlee Simpson starts again giving us a female vocal for days whilst Evan Ross follows with a soulful gentle vocal, but as the chorus kicks in they harmonise creating this luscious voice that gives us chills. It’s a ballad track that is rhythmically groovy that exposes their vocals in the best way possible. These two were meant to make music together.
Tonic
Switching it completely up, “Tonic” blasts out of nowhere from the gentle slow “Safe Zone” and in comparison, we feel like we’ve rocketed into a whole new listening dimension. This has a fun vibe going for it, giving us club feels in every way. Evan Ross is sounding like Pharrell Williams, giving us pop-soul and raw emotion with an upbeat groove. The production is brilliant on this, and it’s not something you would expect would suit Ashlee Simpson but it so does, which just shows how these years away from music has been good for her. This song is totally our favourite track on the EP, and it’s not because we like a bit of Gin and Tonic every now and then. Upbeat, groovy, and memorable, this is a must-listen track on the EP!
I Want You
Taking it country-rock, Evan Ross starts on this track with a gritty sexy vocal that makes us truly believe every word he’s singing, gosh does he want Ashlee Simpson and we can feel the sexual tension in the air! He covers the whole first half of the song and it’s beyond sultry. In the second half of the song, Ashlee Simpson matches the gritty sexy vocal reminding us of her “Boyfriend” days. Filled with guitar rhythm, this song feels like it belongs on Richie Sambora & Orianthi’s album “Radio Free America” instead it’s on ASHLEE + EVAN EP and we are living for it.
Home
The final track on the EP and it sure is one that makes us want to listen to all six tracks for the second time in a row, or third, or fourth, or fifth. “Home” slows things down somewhat, leading into a more country-pop ballad which works well after the raging “I Want You”. Ashlee Simpson sounds amazing at the start, while Evan Ross adds a raspy soul to this. Together, they show how much they believe in these lyrics and how much control they have when it comes to this song. It’s an adorable little track to end this EP.
Overall, ASHLEE + EVAN were always meant to release this EP together. The love they have for each other transcends through every single track and into the hearts of all the listeners. It’s clear that they don’t want to fit into a genre and that is perfectly fine because it shows off their versatility and their capabilities as artists. We wish there was more tracks because six really isn’t enough; we can’t help but hope that more music is on its way from this duo. This EP is a staple within the music industry and a treasure amongst many.
ASHLEE + EVAN’s debut self-titled EP is available to download and stream right now, through Access Records. Their TV show has now finished on E! in the US, but hasn’t even been shown in the UK, yet, as it’s expected to premiere in November 2018 on E!