Ella Aslin grew up in rural New Mexico, raised on her parents’ 70s folk, rock, and bluegrass records. She started piano young, fell for Debussy and Chopin along the way.
And in 2020, during the pandemic, she uploaded a song to SoundCloud that passed 20k streams. That was when she knew she was ready for this. “Take the blame” has that mix of her folk and classical roots with a composer’s ear for arrangement.
It starts soft, with an acoustic guitar and breathy vocals that sound like they’re from a dream, giving the whole soundscape a relaxing and trippy feel that puts you in the zone right away. The drums are simple and tight, driving the song at an easy pace, with smooth drum fills at transitions that make each new section feel like a gentle step forward. Her voice is the heart of this classic tune. It has a texture that feels like her, gentle but strong when it needs to be. The vocal delivery here is excellent and very expressive; her backup vocals also sit wonderfully in the mix, supporting the lead at specific moments.
But if you were a stranger I sat by on the plane
I’d fall in love all over, And this time I’d take the blame
That chorus says it all. It’s about a relationship that’s already over, and the wish to meet that person again as a stranger, having a second chance to do it better. The line about killing things in order to live has a quiet sting to it too, it captures the sad reality of moving on from someone you once deeply loved, it’s tough but has to be done.
Near the end, a breathtaking guitar solo arrives with a sad, blissful glow that would definitely give you goosebumps when it hits. There’s something really special about how effortlessly this song comes together. There’s a lot to appreciate in its simplicity and class, and Ella Aslin does a wonderful job of making every little detail count. It’s a beautiful song that leaves you wanting to hear more from her latest album “For the Life of Me”, and I certainly look forward to what’s next.
Written by Toyo Senpai
