Daily Dig: Ali Blake
“High Hopes has been crafted to perfection... it was this track which I fell for on the very first play through.”
Published: March 4, 2020
By: Music is My Radar
Chicago native Ali Blake is an unsigned singer/ songwriter and she packs bundles of potential. Now based in Los Angeles, Blake has been working on her new album, “Blood,” with John Avila (renowned producer and bassist) and Anton Söder (producer).
That aside Ali is a passionate individual, she’s been focused on her craft for the past 10 years. During that time Blake’s gone on to independently unleash multiple originals, all of which showcased her startling vocals. In fact whenever I listen to her material, shivers always run down the base of my spine.
Now Ali’s journey into the music industry began with the self titled EP and this being a thrilling 4 track effort which fully immersed myself from start to finish. Everything about this exceptional release was spot on, Ali’s vibrant vocals were incredibly spellbinding whilst her songwriting abilities were something else. Anyhow this dazzling debut opened up with Here Today, Gone Tomorrow and this being a splendid tune which radiated plenty of bluesy goodness. You had an enchanting steady paced melody, rich vocal tones and emotive lyrics which offered a crystal clear narrative. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow told an emotional story of an absent friend/ partner and the endless quest to track them down. You Can’t Own The Stars was a stripped back gem which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on edge. Accompanied by some guitar strumming, this tasty treat put Ali’s vibrant vocals to the fore front and I found them to be sumptuously sweet. Also those wondrous harmonies created something extremely blissful. Those wondrous lyrics had me grinning from beginning till the very end
“You Can’t Own The Stars/ But you can lay beneath them/ You can’t drink the sea/ But you can ride the current”.
If I was to sum up Shorter Days And Longer Nights in one word it would have to be compelling. Blake’s tantalising tones were crisp and when paired with the melody it resulted in something mesmeric. Then those lyrics had me envisioning being in a relationship but that person is bad for your health. Even though you know it’s best to part, you keep making the same mistake again resulting in things going full circle. Things then concluded with High Hopes and all I can say is WOW. High Hopes has been crafted to perfection, even though I enjoyed each featured original it was this track which I fell for on the very first play through. Now High Hopes was a toe tapping jam aided by sugary sweet lyrics which warmed my heart “You flew in and swept me off of my feet”. Then we get to Ali’s tantalising tones, these were like a breath of fresh air and uplifting at the same time. Both verses and chorus was utter genius, if I was to sum up High Hopes in one word it would have to be hypnotic.
Do It Over Again: It was 28th June 2018 when Ali Blake returned with something brand new and this being Do It Over Again. Perfectly crafted, this addictive tune was a literal pop masterpiece which enthralled me from the get go. Everything about this sheer delight was spot on, firstly you had an upbeat melody and then Blake’s airy vocal tones were angelic. Then you had captivating lyrical content which resulted in an anthem in the making. From these whimsical words I’m picturing being in a catch 22 situation where the person has to get the right outcome to break the cycle (hence the title Do It Over Again) “Bite the bullet and choose quick/ Making up an excuse/ Like there’s nothing too loose/ Then Do It Over Again”.
Later in 2018, Ali Blake launched an Indiegogo campaign and this was to receive necessary funds for her next extended play. Now Indiegogo is a crowd funding platform where fans can buy certain perks. All these pledges therefore result in the project getting funded when the goal has been reached.
Now the EP in question is Blood and it’s due to be unveiled sometime in 2020. Ali has even said this record represents the fearlessness and courage of exposing her truth. During 2019/20 Blake has gone on to drop 7 originals all of which will feature on the upcoming 8 track mini album and I for one wish that day was here now.
Give Me Strength: Released 5th September 2019, this tempting track was the first taster of what to expect from Ali’s new body of work. My jaw dropped when listening to this compelling cut. Despite being drenched in pop goodness you did have tinges of a gospel/ religious influence as Blake said “Lord Give Me Strength”. Those lyrics were powerful whist Blake’s vocals were a force to be reckoned with.
Blood And Bones: 27th September 2019 saw this track independently hit the public domain. Blood And Bones was a majestic epic which packed a fierce punch. I can tell that Ali Blake delivered this with plenty of gusto, also those lyrics emitted a slight darkness. If I was to sum up the scenario in one word it would have to be tense “Hide away up in my room/ Under blankets, will it be over soon?/ Heart is pounding/ Will they find me/ I still feel it/ This war inside me”.
11 Years: Unveiled 13th November 2019, this enchanting tune was a stripped down piano ballad which rendered me speechless on the very first listen. Also you had the addition of drum beats which gave the track that epic edge. Ali’s whimsical vocal tones were at the fore front and she literally went full throttle. The strength of this dazzling delivery had me picturing Lady GaGa. This catchy cut was perfectly penned as they offered a narrative. Here you had a lady whose had to endure heartbreak one too many times “She taught herself to survive” and this is her quest to find happiness. The one flaw being that this woman falls in love quickly without fully knowing that person “Quick to trust/ Try to ignore/ While he had one foot out the door”.
It Ain’t Much (But It’s Somethin’): This tempting treat dropped 11th December 2019 and it’s literally a refreshing slice of sheer bliss. I’m addicted to this succulent song, the swooning melody emitted vintage doo wop vibes whilst Blake’s charming tones were sweet like cinnamon. In fact that relaxing melody had me thinking of Kelsea Ballerini’s I Hate Love Songs.
Good Man: 10th January 2020 saw Ali Blake unveil an upbeat/ delectable ditty which had me grinning all throughout. Firstly you had a toe tapping melody and secondly Blake’s soulful vocals were both bright and breezy. Now this number was aided by story telling lyrics, here Ali sung about a boys journey into adulthood and this resulted in something incredibly uplifting “As a grown man/ He is wearing a smile/ With three little boys/ And a woman to love/ And at the end of the day/ This feeling is all he needs/ He is a Good Man (x3)/ And that’s just what he wanted to be”
Are You There: 24th January 2020 saw Ali unleash the amazing Are You There. This was yet another glimpse of what to expect from the upcoming Blood mini album. If I was to sum up this tantalising track in one word it would have to be enchanting. Blake’s spectacular tones radiated plenty of soulful vibes whilst those words were like an emotional roller coaster. The lyrical content was similar to Here Today, Gone Tomorrow as it centred on a sibling/ friend/ partner whose gone a separate way. Ali then reaches out to this person recounting memories from her childhood and asking whether there’s any chance this rift can be repaired “Are You There?/ Or have you gone?/ Beyond the point of return”.
