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Simone Ashley\u2019s debut EP, Songs I Wrote in New York<\/em>, has arrived <\/em>\u2014 and it\u2019s the perfect soundtrack to a bright, dreamy summer<\/a>.<\/p>\n The EP\u2019s six songs (which dropped on April 10) include lead single \u201cFree,\u201d which Ashley envisioned as the \u201cfeeling of hope and freedom when something new floats into your life\u201d in a press release. And indeed, its laidback production and loved-up lyrics (\u201cWho knew it could feel so free all this time … Baby, it\u2019s just a matter of the heart \/ Nothing to do with my head\u201d) make a great companion to riding home from the beach or toasting to something fizzy with your friends.<\/p>\n Other tracks include \u201cSublime,\u201d which begins with a sweet voice memo of Ashley observing couples on a day out in New York, and \u201cTragic Romantic,\u201d a slinky, self-aware song about self-destructive relationship patterns and \u201cred flags that look like roses.\u201d<\/p>\n The Bridgerton <\/em>star has been teasing original music for some time, writing on Instagram<\/a> in December: \u201cThis body of work has been close to my heart with the most incredible people over the past three years. And I am thrilled that I will be sharing it with you \u2764\ufe0f.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to working closely with producer Fraser T. Smith, Ashley\u2019s collaborators on Songs I Wrote in New York <\/em>include Diane Warren, Amy Wadge, Dan Edinberg, and Toulouse.<\/p>\n \u201cThough there were many experiences that influenced the sound of this EP \u2014 moving to New York City felt like a catalyst in the journey of these songs and the lyrics,\u201d Ashley said. \u201cI\u2019ve found a confidence in knowing what kind of woman and artist I want to be \u2014 that feeling really kept me company whilst in the studio writing and recording these songs.\u201d<\/p>\n As she shared last year on BBC Woman\u2019s Hour<\/a><\/em>, the process of developing the project, which took 18 months, was \u201cone of the best things, I think, I\u2019ve ever done. I\u2019m so excited and so proud of what we\u2019re doing. And it\u2019s channeling my craft and my work and everything that I want to do with my art in a different way.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course, if you\u2019ve been keeping up with Ashley online, you\u2019ve likely heard<\/a> her vocal chops (and the attendant calls<\/a> for her to be a Disney princess!) before. But with Songs I Wrote in New York<\/em>, she taps into her musical side in a delightfully personal way.<\/p>\n