A$H., interview : 80’s Pop/R&B, album ‘Low Key’, working as a singer-songwriter | Podcast

Memphis-based Pop/R&B singer, songwriter and artist A$H. shares her new album ‘Low Key’, out everywhere now. 

Having previously sang as a backing vocalist for icons such as Janelle Monae, Solange Knowles, John Legend and Summer Walker, A$H. steps into the spotlight with her debut album Low Key. Very on brand with femininity, word play and exquisite production, it serves as an elevated expression of her genre bending music, precisely Pop but wrapped in the sweetest soul. 

A discography produced and co-written with her husband Terrence Brown (of electronic band All Cows Eat Grass), her unique sound effortlessly encompasses everything from explosive dance floor nostalgic synth Pop to the rhythmic blues and soul, famously rooted in Terrence’s hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. As a result, she emerges with a signature sound of her own, stretching across listeners of all ages, cultures and countries.

Our interview with A$H. : literally fan since day 1

We’re happy to chat with A$H., and celebrate a decade of music, since the Please Like Me EP, back in 2016, and her Living Room Tour in 2018 (read article)! Not forgetting her early performances as a background vocalist and dancer for Janelle Monae, since the Archandroid era.

Fun fact: A$H. has been mentioned before in Poetically Yours, Poetry Book released as a tribute to every artist met through Sounds So Beautiful, in the chapter titled LOVE.

Album centrepiece ‘ooo baby’ is a 80s inspired pop classic, with a cinematic accompanying music video filmed in L.A. by British Nicholas Finnegan – watch the music video here. Speaking of the track, A$H. says, “If you’ve watched the film Purple Rain, it’s relatable to artists in their pursuit to the top. People love you, are drawn to you, you’re focused on your craft, you build bonds, you move on, you change teams, you may fall in love, everything and every connection holds a special place, but your main focus is the love you have for the music. However, leave a little room for me when I have time to come up for air.”

The album’s opening track ‘Leave Me Alone’ is an anthem to keep going – “It’s a song I know would encourage listeners to believe, cut out all the noise and faith it until you make it!”

The upbeat and catchy ‘MUA’ may seem shallow with lyrics “makeup, break up, wake up, cake up, MUA”, but on a deeper level, it’s a song about the dichotomies of life. The album’s title track ‘Lowkey’ encompasses the album’s message as a whole – special things are much sweeter when they’re low key. She says, “The fire never burns out when it’s protected, the flame maintains. I love the play it has on romance and intimacy but it’s also about the beauty in keeping delicate things in life, intimate, close, low key.” And those are just a few moments on an album brimming with faith, joy and hope. 

A graduate of the private all girls HBCU Spelman College, with a B.A. in Theatre, A$H. merged her skill of performance and songwriting to listeners worldwide in 2015 with the commercial release of ‘The Perfect EP’. In 2016, she released ‘The Please Like Me EP’, which led to the opening spot for Grammy Award winning artist PJ Morton on The Gumbo Tour in the U.S., followed by her 2021 5-song EP ‘Pri$$¥’.

In April 2025, 10 years after the release of her debut EP, A$H. releases her debut album ‘Low Key’, in what feels like a full circle moment. She says, “Within this decade of releasing music, there are so many directions I’ve been pulled in. Mainly, as social media grew, mystery faded and there’s been this push for artists to force our way to the top, fight for every moment and I’ve learned that there’s one marathon. It’s my own. 

The beauty in being lowkey is that it gives the room an opportunity to see you and elevate you, versus you trying to force the moment. 

This album is that for me. We created beautiful songs, stayed true to my artistry and I will continue to give my all, but I won’t force the fame. As this album slowly and independently rolls out, it’s beautiful to get the love and support day by day! I’ve released the fear, force and anxiety of being seen or heard. I actually believe my time is close and I am grateful to finally be in this headspace. Low Key I pray encourages listeners to be themselves peacefully! Have faith! Your pursuit isn’t in vain. Our time is coming and it may be now.”