Ashcroft releases new album; ‘Lovin’ You’. Blending acoustic ballads and indie-rock with soul and electro and including themes of love and resilience. Ruling out possibility of reunion for The Verve.
Ahead of his UK headlining tour, Ashcroft’s new album shows unique new elements in his music that fans haven’t seen before. Evidently he has been experimenting with different sounds and genres. These have clearly worked well with the traditional Britpop Ashcroft sound we all know and love, shown through ‘Lovin You’.
Album Review
The album overall highlights Ashcroft’s capability to discover new sound without drifting from his core alternative aura. Songs like ‘Lover’, ‘I’m a Rebel’, ‘Crimson Fire’ and title track; ‘Lovin’ You’ showcases the experimenting well. This has been a successful move for Ashcroft with combined streaming numbers of these songs being nearly two million on Spotify alone.
Third track titled ‘Heavy News’ has a different feel to most of Ashcroft’s discography and the new album as a whole. With heavier guitar riffs and built up vocals that raise tension, then are softened at the chorus. Which has implemented more backbone for this specific track compared to the others.
‘Out of these Blues’, ‘Oh L’amour’, ‘Find Another Reason’, ‘Live With Hope’, and final track ‘Fly To The Sun’ have the typical, lust-filled alternative ballad style known and loved from Ashcroft. Through these tracks you can see the ambition he’s been communicating since The Verve days the old frontman’s swagger appears.
Throughout the album clearly shows Ashcroft wears his heart on his sleeve in his music. Even with frontman charisma, he creates music so in touch with his feelings, hence fans attachment to his songwriting. With beautiful movements and Ashcroft’s warm voice builds for success for this album.
Oasis Reunion Tour and The Ruled out Verve Reunion
With Ashcroft’s global success after opening for Oasis Live ’25 Tour, came hope for a reunion announcement from the frontman himself with regards to The Verve. After releasing an Instagram post on July 2nd announcing the album and a further posts regarding headline shows over the UK left fans devastated.
The highly anticipated reunion of The Verve lost hope following from these announcements. Although, fans were still left excited and fulfilled from the announcements of new music and shows from Ashcroft.
Featured Image Credit: Kiera McGregor