Forget everything you thought you knew about Ashlee Simpson. The singer, fashion designer, and reality television star may have spent the better part of her life in the public eye, and in front of the camera, but for her latest musical endeavor, she’s introducing fans to an entirely new identity.
Following the October 2018 release of Ashlee + Evan, a collaborative EP created with her husband Evan Ross, the pair have returned, unveiling their latest single “Phases.” The track, which comes just weeks after the couple wrapped their joint North American tour, continues their previous idea of mixing together genres and sounds. And although fans might be familiar with Ashlee's previous penchant for punk rock on her solo work, this latest single, much like their EP, features a pop meets soul vibe that longtime fans of the "La La" singer might be surprised to hear.
Speaking with Teen Vogue, Ashlee explained why she decided to try something new for her work with Evan. "It’s a really different sound for me, and it’s a departure from the sound I’m used to," she said. "For me, I grew up loving soul music, and in a sense, I got to play with Evan’s style of music which is something I’ve always wanted to do."
In fact, Ashlee admitted that she was surprised by the continued, ongoing support of followers. "Seeing fans I haven't seen in years [while on tour], and seeing that they're still loyal was an amazing experience," she said.
As for Evan, who is the son of legendary soul singer Diana Ross, the world of music is like second nature to him, too, and he said that the song represents a coming together of their individual ideas. Unlike working on a solo release, this single required the pair to agree on a direction. "We have to switch it up, and work together throughout the entire [writing and recording] process," he said.
Although "Phases" marks a definite shift in sound for Ashlee, the single proves just as catchy as her past hits, including "Pieces of Me" and "L.O.V.E." According to the couple, the new song is about sticking by the one you love, and it takes inspiration from the dynamics of their relationship. "A lot of people ask what it's like for us to work together, and for us, it's inspiring," Ashlee said. "Even if we have individual ideas, we work together."
Both Evan and Ashlee admit that there's no future plans to possibly release a full-length collaborative album, but they did reveal more major things are coming. Along with the launch of a future new handbag line from Ashlee, the pair both intend to release new solo albums. There's no word on possible release dates, but Evan promised that their collaborative work was only the beginning, saying, "We've got a bunch of different projects we still have yet to reveal."
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