Ash Koley - Elements (2016)

Six years after their debut, Canadian pop duo Ash Koley return with Elements, their sophomore LP for the Nettwerk label. The partnership of Winnipeg-based singer Ash Koley and multi-instrumentalist Phil Deschambault enjoyed their first bit of mainstream renown when their buoyant 2010 single, "Don't Let Your Feet Touch the Ground," reached number 50 on the Canadian Hot 100. The breezy, piano-led cabaret pop of their debut, Inventions, led to an even breezier 2012 companion album called Acoustic Inventions. With Elements, they've made a deliberate attempt to to alter their creative formula, heading to Los Angeles for a series of co-writing sessions and some added production/songwriting efforts from Justin Gray (Ryan Cabrera, Mariah Carey) and Brian West (Rachel Platten, Maroon 5). While not a total makeover, the 11 tracks on Elements represent a distinct shift toward more contemporary synth pop with a surprising dash of hip-hop thrown in. Beat-driven lead single "Dangerous Words" has hooks aplenty, though some of Koley's semi-rapped vocal parts feel just a bit too awkward. The same can be said for the bouncy "Don't Give Up on Me," whose rousing choruses are interjected with clumsy call-and-response vocal parts that try a little too hard. They find their stride on the more straightforward synth pop tracks like "Every Time I Think of You" and the lovely "Dive In," which are two of Elements' brightest spots. "Pins & Needles" is another standout, showcasing Ash Koley's knack for strong, uplifting choruses and bright melodies. Koley's bold voice is one of their biggest assets and, as a unit, she and Deschambault have a lot of the right pieces in place, but this trip through the L.A. pop machine doesn't quite hold together.

TRACKLIST

01. Dangerous Words
02. Don't Give Up On Me
03. Criminal
04. Irresistible
05. Every Time I Think Of You
06. Dive In
07. Spark
08. Hit & Run
09. Running
10. Pins & Needles
11. OMG