Ashe Captures the Multiplicity of Life in "Cold in California"

image

To cut to the chase, the past year has seen rising singer-songwriter Ashe release some of her finest and most moving work to date. From her lauded Moral of the Story: Chapter 1 to "In Disguise," a song we championed as the very definition of timeless songwriting, Ashe is in the midst of building a catalog prepared to stand the test of time. The Los Angeles artist's latest is living, breathing evidence of that very notion.

"Cold in California" is breathtaking, heart-rending, and eye-opening all in the same breadth. Executive produced by FINNEAS, the sonics pierce the heart like an unexpected scattered storm on a sunny California day; it is June gloom personified. More than just a beautiful collection of stirring percussion and delicately weaved guitar chords, it is the depth of Ashe's emotionally-laden songwriting that truly makes "Cold in California" such a lasting, deeply human affair.

"Don't mind what anybody told you/ It still gets cold in California/ See everbody thinks they know you/ They're only seeing what they wanna," Ashe confesses in a chorus for the ages. And while California is undoubtedly the central figure of Ashe's moment of introspection, the realization is far more universal, as the rising singer-songwriter expanded upon when speaking on the underlying meaning of the song,

"I love California and I also despise it. I'm from California and in many ways, this song is more about me than the place itself. I suppose that says I love and also despise myself as well. Nothing is ever one-sided or perfect or right all the time. I tried to explain this feeling in 'Cold in California.' It's the best way I've personally described my love/hate relationship with myself and Los Angeles so far."

In the span of just over three spellbinding minutes, Ashe touches upon the inherent multiplicity of life - the notion that there cannot be joy without pain, pain without joy. "Cold in California" is a song for those existential moments of contemplation, where even under the beating sun, you feel a strange cold emanating from within.

Listen to "Cold in California" below and be sure to catch Ashe on her Ones To Watch - presented 'Mom's First Headline Tour' this fall:

Related Articles

Maria Fuell Is Bringing the Sounds of the Andes to a New Generation [Q&A]

Maria Fuell Is Bringing the Sounds of the Andes to a New Generation [Q&A]

September 28, 2026 OnesToWatch chatted with Fuell to talk about her music, her roots, and her accomplishments in her career thus far.
Author: Sarah Ruiz
pop
corook x Whale Songz On the Art Of Following The Fun [Q&A]

corook x Whale Songz On the Art Of Following The Fun [Q&A]

September 28, 2026 For our 11-year anniversary, we asked OnesToWatch alumni to nominate the next wave of artists on the rise. Beloved Pittsburgh singer-songwriter corook chose Whale Songz—the musical duo of Olivia Barton and Annika Bennett.
Author: Ariana Tibi
pop
On ‘IS THIS THE END?’ Chelsea Cutler Embraces Every Era

On ‘IS THIS THE END?’ Chelsea Cutler Embraces Every Era

September 28, 2026 IS THIS THE END? Is a big-hearted, unapologetic record from an artist who sounds more comfortable in her own skin than ever.
Author: Matt Keenan
pop