Lauren Ash: Taking Space, Not Requesting"

Just before the chorus goes off, there is a split approach to the moment where everything is insignificant and small-minded. And, then—BAM! And, along comes Lauren Ash crashing through the stereo like she always belonged there with boots on concrete, and a voice piercing through the interference with no apologies whatsoever.

The song "F.A.F.O." is very deliberate, and that's the entire purpose. The way it was created in Toronto, with Robbie Brett and Cindë of the drums performed by Zoe McMillan; the music goes from sounding like a challenge, starting out sounding like what can we do next? And, progresses into something that cannot be denied. Ash bases her use of contrast off of the low to the high and being taken for granted to being in control; you can hear the transition and feel it.

For audiences who were introduced to her through the television show Superstore, this story lands differently. While she has always written songs alone in a room and had aspiration/failure/ambition/your name here weighing down on her like ash, now she has made all of this louder and sharper.

In performing live after having received a great deal of attention due to the release of ‘Call Me When You Get This’ and a successful almost completely sold out tour in the UK, Ash is taking space rather than requesting it. "F.A.F.O." is more than just a single: it is a thesis statement. It says to people: “Push me. Doubt me. Mansplain to me because I’m ready for your response.”

When the final chant hits, it doesn’t simply demonstrate defiance or rebellion; it proves you were right all along.