It’s been quite a few years since we were first introduced to AYLA, but as the stunning Sunshine Coast artist continues to grow, evolve, and look towards her debut album, we’ve received a stellar slice of what’s to come by way of her latest single, “Ride Along”.
Having first burst onto the scene with the success of debut single “Wish I Was” back in 2014, AYLA has continued to show off her impeccable talent in recent years. Following a couple of singles in 2020, AYLA has now closed out 2021 with the release of one of her best tracks to date, with “Ride Along” appearing late last month.
Having signed with Italy’s Ego Records for international release, “Ride Along” features the production talents of Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music) and Sam Thomlison (Oh My My, Bad Pony), and arrived just a few weeks after the SUPER-Hi remix of the track. However, the studio version is a powerful piece of pounding pop, bolstered by themes of self-empowerment.
“‘Ride Along’ is about not sitting back and being walked over anymore – not just going along with what people expect of you, but taking a stand and making things happen for yourself, and in your own way,” explains AYLA.
“I think a lot of people expect life has to go a certain way – get a job, get married, have kids etc – but I think we can do things in whichever order we want, as well as leave behind or add in anything that might have once seemed unconventional.
“It’s also easy to get stuck in a cycle of doing what other people expect of you,” she adds. “I think I’ve especially found that with my music career, as it is a different kind of path to take, so I didn’t really have any set guidelines and found myself leaning too heavily on what others thought I should do. I feel like this song and project marks the start of a new era where I’m doing what I want to do with my music.”
Indeed, this song does kick off a new era for AYLA, with “Ride Along” serving as a taster of the busy times that are set to come next year, thanks in part to the release of her long-awaited debut record, which looks to be polished off this month.
“2022 will be the year of releasing my debut album,” AYLA explains excitedly. “It’s been on a bit of a hold with the producer (Sam Thomlinson) living in Sydney, and my preference for working together in the room.”
Needless to say, it’s worth keeping an eye on AYLA once again, because it sounds as though big things are undoubtedly in the pipeline.
AYLA’s “Ride Along” is out now.
