“Spiral” by Ashlyn Sisco is punchy and sweet, leaving you wanting to play each song through, again and again
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Ashlyn Sisco is no stranger to the spotlight. She is not only one of the lead singers of the Chicago-based indie-rock band Liptoss, alongside Anna Henson who is featured in her latest EP, but is now kicking off her solo music career with Spiral. Sisco makes a splash with Spiral her debut EP. She consistently balances her earthy and deep vocals with sparkling instrumentals that feel mysterious, but nostalgic all at once.
Spiral kicks off with “On and On”, which perfectly encapsulates the main theme of the EP. Sisco’s vocals and lyrics are full of just enough yearning to feel emotional but not desperate. The rich drum instrumentals, which begin more subdued in a mysterious and sultry intro, build to a powerful chorus as the lyrics “on and on” repeat several times, giving the listener the illusion that they are going around in circles. The instrumentals reflect feelings of wanting to come back to someone in a relationship, even when you know they are not the right person for you. You feel like parts of you are simultaneously pushing and pulling you towards and away from them.
“Falling Asleep At The Wheel” introduces more springy guitar instrumentals that sound more stripped back. The drum instrumentals are laid back and create a relaxed vibe to the song, despite the lyrics growing more anxious and impatient: “It’s all in my head, you’re not in my bed, I don’t even know you at all.” An electric guitar is featured in the bridge, reflecting an image of someone going around in circles in a relationship that will never work, despite what they might try.
Ashlyn Sisco teams up with Anna Henson on “Yeah, Yeah.” If you are familiar with Liptoss, where Sisco and Henson perform as co-lead singers and songwriters, then it is no surprise that they make a stunning duo. Their rich vocals blend perfectly and where Sisco’s vocals are more reminiscent of a groovy pop singer, Henson adds a grungy sound that gives the track just enough edge to feel balanced and not overindulgent. Layered vocals create an image of someone fighting their inner demons while emotions pull them in different directions as they debate if a relationship should continue or not.
photo by Valerie Loeblich @valerieloeblich
“Don’t Stop Now” is one of the most lyrically strong tracks off the EP. Sisco captures the stress of knowing you are going against your better judgment in a relationship, and having to accept the parts of yourself you never thought you possessed: “I see you in my dreams/every night that I sleep/I see you down on your knees for me/begging for what we had/begging to get it back/but I don’t think it would be easy/because you and me got history.” As you long to be in a relationship or with a particular person, there may come a time when you know deep down the relationship is not the right fit, but you want to make it work no matter what. Sometimes love is enough for us to justify losing parts of ourselves.
Spiral concludes with a darker and more solemn tone, but instrumentals add a hopeful sparkle. As the vocals and instrumentals build in “Orbit,” you feel like you are falling in slow motion through a sky full of stars that blink and twinkle as you float past. A sweet plucky guitar instrumental feels sentimental and gives the song a nostalgic touch. Sisco’s vocals are soft and angelic like she is singing a lullaby to make you fall asleep.
Spiral is a stunning debut from Ashlyn Sisco, an artist you should no doubt keep on your radar. She finds the right balance between her vocals and instrumentals, and her lyricism already paints a clear picture of the kinds of stories she wants to tell and the emotions she wants to evoke. Make sure to give Spiral a listen on all streaming platforms and follow Ashlyn Sisco to keep up to date on all her music projects! @ashlynsisco
