Introducing an unexpected new artist from the Isle of Man, who takes sounds more accustomed to the americana mecca Nashville than to a tiny island in the Irish Sea. Yet, this seeming paradox is one of the reasons that we’re drawn to Alice Ashe and her debut single ‘Six Feet Under’, with production from Adam Longlands. It’s a powerful statement that transforms her experience of being in an abusive relationship into a narrative of strength, resilience and survival.
From the start, the track opens with warm acoustic strings that immediately give you a sense of being welcomed into Ashe‘s inner-world. From there, she begins to unravel the manipulation, cruelty, toxicity and unbalanced power dynamics of which she has a unique insight into. Rather than diminishing its impact, her collected delivery with those distinctive vocal tones emphasising the emotional intensity. With this weathered, soulful performance, Ashe appears to be the definition of an old soul.
The real crux of the song is when Ashe lays the memory of this relationship to rest and she has come out the other side. Backed by a more upbeat instrumentation and a spring in her step, she sings, “I must admit I feel much better knowing they’re under the ground.” She cements that idea that letting go of the past, through the metaphor of burial, is the path forward to healing.
Reminiscent of the unflinching honesty of Julia Jacklin, the dreaminess of Lana Del Rey and the wild-child heart of Stevie Nicks, ‘Six Feet Under‘ is an unmissable debut from Alice Ashe.
You can also listen to ‘Six Feet Under’ in our Folk This Way playlist.
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