Ashley Cooke is stepping into a fresh chapter with her upcoming project, Ace, arriving November 14 via Big Loud / Back Blocks Music. The nine-track collection will feature five brand-new songs, including her long-awaited fan favorite, “baby blues.”
Cooke shared that the project’s unique title doesn’t come from the name of a track on the project. Instead, it derives from a nickname her dad gave her when she was younger.
“Growing up, my dad gave me this nickname: Ace. I’m not sure if it was his love of blackjack or because it’s kind of my initials, but nonetheless, it just stuck. It makes me think of the person that I am, truly, to my core, behind closed doors,” she explained.
After releasing her debut album more than two years ago, the “swear words” singer says she’s ready to dive into everything that’s happened since. Calling Ace a project built on “brutal honesty,” she says the songs unfold in chronological order, tracing her real-life stories of the highs, lows, heartbreaks, and love that have shaped her along the way.
“It’s been about two and a half years since my debut record was released. So many incredible, bucket-list things filled the days after with the best people I could ever imagine getting to share them with. But life has a funny way of spitting rain when you think it’s gonna be a sunny day. I swear, one thing hit after another. I lost some of the most important people in my life, and health issues in my family piled up left and right. Love came, and love went.”
Cooke welcomes fans into her next chapter with a deeply personal collection of songs, encouraging them to “make yourself at home” as they take in all the vulnerable storytelling.
“This music is derived from those real situations. It’s brutal honesty. It’s a story in chronological order. And it’s a collection of songs welcoming you to the next chapter,” she added.
ace Tracklist
- gettin’ old (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock)
- baby blues (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
- the f word (Emily Weisband / Lori McKenna / Gordie Sampson)
- talk about (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Chase McGill / Chris LaCorte)
- the hell you are (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Chase McGill / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
- swear words (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Madeline Merlo / Joe Fox)
- excuses (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock)
- tin foil hat (panic attack version) (Emily Weisband / Seth Ennis / Mike Robinson)
- (my worst fear) (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
All tracks produced by Dann Huff
Earlier this month, Ashley Cooke lit up country radio with her bold new single “the hell you are,” which quickly became the No. 1 most-added song. She followed that up with the release of two emotional versions of “tin foil hat,” including a “panic attack” rendition paired with an official music video.
Before officially announcing her next project, Cooke surprised fans with the news that the highly anticipated track that’s been heating up her live shows, “baby blues” will finally drop on November 14. Now, listeners know that it will be unveiled alongside the rest of the 9-song track list. Fans have also gotten an early taste of the collection through “the f word.”
Ashley Cooke spent the first part of the year headlining herYour Place Tour and also joined Kane Brown on the road. She has only a few remaining shows this year and then will return to the stage in 2026 with dates across the U.S and the UK
For the full list of tour dates, visit www.ashleycooke.com.
The post Ashley Cooke Announces Release Date For Vulnerable New Project, ‘Ace’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
