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Ashley Zarah Pushes Boundaries with Her Highly-Anticipated LP, ‘Better Mess’

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Rising dark-pop star Ashley Zarah has released her highly-anticipated LP, Better Mess, as a project of a collection of pivotal, life-changing experiences and realizations that Zarah has had in the last four years. The pop singer-songwriter makes a point to create music that will challenge listeners to observe their realities and begin to heal by guiding them through her deeply personal and introspective stories. “Each of these six songs exposed and/or taught me something that I can never forget or ignore again,” says Zarah.

Fans can enjoy an array of mixed genres on Better Mess as Zarah effortlessly blurs the lines between pop, alternative, electronic, and organic sound textures. The LP features two previously released hits, “My Boyfriend” and “Everybody Knows,” and four new tracks that reinforce the LP’s theme of discovering truth. “Each song starts with some form of adamant denial and ends with the admittance of reality,” says Zarah. “The LP itself starts with a song that validates lying and ends with a song that worships honesty.” This tastefully crafted LP is bound to connect with listeners musically and emotionally. Fans can also look forward to impactful visual content that will accompany the stories being told on Better Mess this fall.

“I hope you enjoy the music, that you find the stories take you on a journey through your own life, and that this LP leads you closer to the truth rather than further into the fog.” -Ashley Zarah

Ashley Zarah is an Iranian singer/songwriter and Dark-Pop performer hailing from Los Angeles, CA. Merging millennial pain and pop culture, she is convincing pop listeners to feel something honest again, the way she felt during the emo wave in the early 2000s. As a young kid who struggled to identify with those around her, Zarah decided to invent a space of her own; one that welcomed colourful optimism into life’s darkest truths; hence, the home of Dark-Pop.

Despite stemming from a background of non-musicians, there was no shortage of music in the house. Zarah was raised on artists ranging from Pink Floyd, Madonna, and Natalie Cole to Iranian stars such as Sima Bina, Dariush, and Haydeh. Scouting on her own, she would discover even more eclectic inspirations like Christina Aguilera, Linkin Park, The All-American Rejects, Justin Nozuka, and LIGHTS; all who inspired her to pick up instruments and gear to perform the songs we hear today.

While on scholarship at the highly prestigious art institution, Berklee College of Music, she revealed herself to be both a prolific writer and expressive vocalist; though mostly sought after for her relatability and insightful songwriting. She has since been featured on NPR’s “Buried Treasures,” BuzzMusic LA, GirlTalkHQ, Authority Magazine, EDM Nations, and twice debuted on the world-renowned music editorial, The Hype Magazine.

An advocate for mental health, suicide prevention, and gender equality; she is on a mission to teach and heal her generation to speak their truths and enjoy their lives rather than simply surviving them; proving to audiences that no pain is worth the disposal of life.

Cover Art for ‘Better Mess’ by Ashley Zarah

Dawn Jones is the curator of the V13 imPRESSED Column. Previously known as imPRESSED Indie Music Blog, Jones and her team joined forces with V13 in 2020 to collaborate on an exclusive column on V13's site (imPRESSED) to bring a niche focus to the rapidly evolving indie music genre. Dawn is also the founder of Pressed PR - a boutique PR agency that focuses on PR for independent creatives. Pressed PR’s team works on a variety of campaigns partnering with independent filmmakers, independent artists, and independent labels. Pressed PR’s music clientele has landed in the pages of Billboard, Atwood Magazine, EARMILK, HYPE Magazine, and many others.

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