˙❁ ˖Gig Review⋆｡ °: The Line Of Best Fit ‘5 Day Forecast’ 18.01.24
16 February 2024
Released on Saturday, April 6th, ‘Slow Down’ offers a fresh perspective on the perils of self-imposed pressure and the necessity of self-care.
From the offset, the song immediately captures the listener’s attention. The lyrics, ‘said you wanted more from life, get in line,’ perfectly convey the fears many people face of
underachievement. This mentality often drives people to strive for a better life but can also create significant pressure. The lyrics, ‘We just seem to coast through life,’ echo this sentiment, underlining the fear of letting time pass by. However, towards the end of each chorus, the lyrics offer a comforting suggestion, urging individuals to ‘just slow down’ and tackle life’s challenges at their own pace.
Ash said: “People often feel a lot of pressure to achieve and be productive constantly, but fortunately, we’re shifting to a mentality where people understand that it is okay to take a break if they’re feeling overwhelmed.” “Personally, I have felt overpowered by pressure to achieve a few times in my life, but I’m learning to get better at this, and I hope this song can help people do the same,” they added.
Throughout the song, the vocals are heartfelt, passionate and emotive, complementing the delicate themes of the track. In addition, the instrumentation is minimal, with a beautiful blend of acoustic guitar and vocals, only elaborated when needed. The production naturally develops into a transcendent interlude throughout the middle-8, which allows the listener to digest and immerse themselves in the song’s themes before the track’s resolution. Producer Luke May said: “When I first heard ‘Slow Down’ live in the studio, I knew I wanted to use Ash’s stripped-back version, to not take anything away from the story itself.” “For the middle-8, I did want a euphoric lift, and fortunately, with the right band in the studio, the track truly came to life,” he added.
Ash’s music draws inspiration from personal experiences and “aims to connect with each listener” by creating a sense of inclusivity and representation. This has been evident in previous releases such as ‘Dysphoria’.
In addition, ‘Slow Down’ features folk artist Alx Frncs, marking Ash’s first collaboration on an official release. Alx explores similar topics in her music through releases such as ‘I Wanna’ and, most recently, ‘I Can’t Do Anything Right’.
Ash has further plans for their music throughout 2024. They’re currently working on their debut EP, which will be released later this year. Ash will also perform live at the Amersham Arms in New Cross on Saturday, May 18th.