Ayleen Valentine's new single, "Ask nicely," perfectly encapsulates the sensation of the heaviness that comes with unvoiced thoughts and the "anger" of emotional exhaustion. Continuing to showcase why she's one of the indie music scene's most buzzworthy acts, Valentine delivers her trademark blend of open vulnerability and ambient production.
"Ask nicely" envelops you from the first note in a churning landscape of sad synths, barely there vocals, and heart-on-the-brink percussion. It unfolds in a low-level burn, stacking lush harmonies and glitchy textures that make it feel almost supernatural, part confession, a part dream coming apart in real-time.
Valentine applies a profoundly personal lens to pursuing boundaries and self-worth, all hidden in a delicate package. She has the ability to make you feel each and every bit of pain with barely a whisper, and I found everything she said sharp enough to cut with no need to scream. Fans of James Blake's emotional depth, Grimes' futuristic flair, and the raw energy of early XXXTentacion will be drawn into her hypnotic gift for fusing honesty with innovation.
Freshly poised to audition her artistry in LA after exiting the Berklee College of Music stage to fully embody her creativity, Valentine is carving her own lane with fearlessness. "Ask nicely" is a declaration, a reminder that sometimes, even when we're screaming inside, we refuse to raise our voices.