Get ready for Priscilla Ahn. The brilliant singer/songwriter from LA just announced the release of her sophomore record, When You Grow Up, on EMI‘s Blue Note Records May 3rd. I’m all about giving new music a shot so when I heard that she was offering a free download of the album’s title track, OF COURSE I jumped at the chance. The song is light and summery – perfect listening for a cold night by the fire. The song is very reminiscent of something The Bird & The Bee might release and I mean that in the best way possible. There’s definitely some Inara George qualities in Ahn’s voice that make her engaging and very very listenable. Go get your FREE DOWNLOAD HERE.
When You Grow Up is the follow up to Ahn’s debut album from 2008, A Good Day. Produced by Ethan Johns (Ray LaMontagne, Laura Marling, Ryan Adams) the new album features songwriting collaborations from the ever-amazing Sia Furler, Eleni Mandell, Charlie Wadhams and…surprise surprise, Ms. Inara George herself. The album also features a cover of the Benji Hughes‘ “frolicsome love call” “Vibe Is So Hot.” While I’m not familiar with her first album, listening to Ahn I was instantly smitten with her sound and her new album sounds simply magical.
“Growth emerges as the central theme of When You Grow Up. The songs thread a loose storyline through life’s ups and downs with Ahn’s angelic voice narrating experiences beginning with childhood, progressing through cycles of romance and heartbreak, and concluding with the wise, reflective ‘Torch Song.'”
Her debut featured “Dream,” which became a sort of “sleeper hit,” leading to apeparences on NBC’s “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and CBS’s “Late Show With Craig Ferguson.” Ahn even collaborated with mega producer/remixer DJ Tiësto on a track from his 2009 album Kaleidoscope (Listen to “I Am Strong” HERE). Ahn brought her brand of singer/songwriter folk-pop on tour with artists like Ray LaMontagne, Amos Lee and Willie Nelson. I think Vanity Fair really hit the nail on the head when it comes to her music, saying:
“The very talented singer-songwriter Priscilla Ahn has a terrific voice that’s both delicate and powerful, intimate and ironic. Like [Joni] Mitchell, Ahn commands a room once she starts singing and playing. Her melodies are pretty; her confessional lyrics are leavened with wit.”
Check out the tracklisting below as well as songwriter credits. Check out her first album on iTunes HERE and make sure you follow the link above and get your free download of “When You Grow Up.” Check out the video for “Dream” below.
Track Listing: