Ashlee + Evan (EP)
| Ashlee + Evan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| EP by | |
| Released | October 12, 2018 |
| Length | 19:42 |
| Label | Access |
| Producer |
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| Singles from Ashlee + Evan | |
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Ashlee + Evan is the eponymous debut extended play (EP) by Ashlee + Evan, an American musical duo consisting of married singers Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross. It was released on October 12, 2018, by Access Records. The EP was released during the broadcast run of their self-titled reality television series, Ashlee + Evan.
Background and development[edit]
Early in the couple's relationship, they would frequently stay up until 3:00 AM singing songs together.[1] The couple announced their engagement in January 2014[2] and were married on August 31, 2014.[3] While visiting Ross during a studio session sometime in 2015, the duo recorded a song called "Permission to Love". According to Simpson, this is when she realized that they worked well together.[1] Simpson revealed that the couple were writing music together in May 2016. By this time, they had written approximately ten songs and were mostly focused on finding their own sound.[4]
For the EP, the duo "wanted to do something that felt organic".[5] They drew inspiration from Simpson's love of American soul singers Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, as well as Diana & Marvin (1973), a duets album by his mother Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye. The couple also found inspiration in the recordings of American musical duo Sonny & Cher.[6]
Singles[edit]
"I Do" was released as the first single from the EP on September 7, 2018.[7] The track sold 11,000 downloads in its first week and debuted at number six on the Billboard Pop Digital Song Sales chart and at number 16 on the Digital Song Sales chart. This marked Ross' first appearance on a Billboard chart and Simpson's first chart placement in over ten years.[8]
Critical response[edit]
Mike Nied of Idolator called "Home" a "chill-inducing moment" and noted that it appears to be "one of the most sure-fire hits" on the EP.[9]
Tour[edit]
| Date | City | Country | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America[10] | ||||
| January 7, 2019 | New York City | United States | Bowery Ballroom | |
| January 8, 2019 | Washington, D.C. | Union Stage | ||
| January 10, 2019 | Atlanta | The Loft | ||
| January 11, 2019 | Nashville | Exit/In | ||
| January 12, 2019 | Chicago | Lincoln Hall | ||
| January 14, 2019 | Dallas | House of Blues Cambridge Room | ||
| January 17, 2019 | San Francisco | Slim's | ||
| January 18, 2019 | Los Angeles | The Roxy | ||
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Do" |
| 3:18 |
| 2. | "Paris" |
| 3:18 |
| 3. | "Safe Zone" |
| 4:02 |
| 4. | "Tonic" |
| 3:09 |
| 5. | "I Want You" |
| 3:24 |
| 6. | "Home" |
| 2:28 |
| Total length: | 19:42 | ||
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[11] | 17 |
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Ashlee Simpson Ross and Evan Ross Share the Love and Inspiration Behind Their New Music and TV Show".
- ^ Cosgrove Baylis, Sheila (January 13, 2014). "Ashlee Simpson Engaged to Evan Ross". People. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ^ McNiece, Mia (August 31, 2014). "Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross Are Married". People. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- ^ "Ashlee Simpson Kids: Singer Talks More Babies, Music With Evan Ross". 19 May 2016.
- ^ "Ashlee Simpson And Evan Ross On The Challenges Of Creating Music Together". 10 October 2018.
- ^ Kaplan, Ilana (11 September 2018). "Ashlee Simpson Is Ready to Start Over". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Ashlee Simpson-Ross Announces New Single With Husband Evan Ross, 'I Do'". Billboard.
- ^ "Ashlee Simpson & Evan Ross Make Billboard Chart Debut as a Duo With 'I Do'". Billboard.
- ^ "For All The Lovers: Stream Ashlee Simpson & Evan Ross' Self-Titled EP". 12 October 2018.
- ^ Desk, TV News. "Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross Release Debut EP and Announce Tour Dates".
- ^ "Soundtrack Albums - October 27, 2018". Billboard. October 27, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019. (subscription required)