Ainsley Costello
“Two Ships”
Takes you down, punches you in the face, and brings you back up.
“Two Ships” takes you down, punches you in the face, and brings you back up.
At just 18 years old, singer-songwriter Ainsley Costello already has a volume of work that rivals that of her idols. She released a full-length record at 15 (right before COVID) and 11 singles in 2021 that continued to expand her style. With her releases in 2022, she’s settling into a solid identity of being a masterful pop and rock writer, with themes that most young women can easily relate to. “Little Sister” is an anthem for anyone growing up in the shadow of a more “successful” older sibling. “Two Ships” is a daring ballad of massive scope that showcases her depth and willingness to take chances.
Like most pop songs today, it centers primarily around four chords – but wait for the payoff. The track begins with a simple picking part on an electric. As the picking part descends, her smokey melody ascends. With the first chorus, the atmosphere expands with a drum part and simple airy chords that open up the vibe. The second verse builds with steady downstrokes on a 2nd electric, fills from a 3rd, and the second chorus lands firmly with a simple and powerful drum track, and bigger melody and wonderful background vocals. There’s a small solo section and building bridge that follows that lets you know something massive is coming. When the 3rd chorus drops, it punches you in the face. If you’re not nodding along heavily by now, check your pulse. The message is heartbreaking – two ships (people), breaking up, sinking, and sinking together. In the thick of this massive sound, you soon realize that those simple four chords have changed ever so slightly with an augmented version of the root chord that creates tension and release so perfectly, you have to go back and to listen to it again (then pick up your guitar to figure out what the heck she’s doing – yes, that’s her on the Gretsch). The payoff is massive. The production is beautiful, and the instrumentation is perfect. Producing credit goes to Levi Bennington – well done, Levi.
We used the word daring in the first paragraph because when you look at her history, you’ll see she’s not afraid to do her own thing in the midst of an industry that often requires the artist to find a lane, stay in it, and never change. Obviously, Ainsley doesn’t care about that – and it’s a good thing. The nine songs on “You Know I Am” from 2019 are primarily country-pop sounding (lots of acoustics, lap steel, mandolin, etc)., but there’s also some funky grooves (“4th of July”) and a blazing Irish jib (“Sweet On You”). “Waste My Time” and “You Know I Am” are the precursors to “Two Ships” – they are both big, sweeping numbers where she explores the depths of her feelings, not just the surface level fun of songs like “Self-Conscious” and “Dumb Blonde.” “Two Ships” is more inline with songs like “Little Sister,” “Or Else,” and “5’2”, and if she decides this is the lane she’d like to stay in for a while, we’re hooked, it suits her well.
What’s next for Costello? Her social media has been teasing a new song called “Someone’s Someone,” as well as two more releases this year. She recently signed with an agency that specializes in college bookings and has been nominated for five ISSA awards. Looking at her performance schedule, you’ll see that she’s no stranger to the road – playing a host of weekend gigs about a days drive from Nashville, as well as playing in Nashville, too. She’s also in college – getting a degree in Music Business from Berklee School of Music. Success in the music industry is never a guarantee, but it’s pretty obvious she’s got the work ethic and drive to get there. We look forward to hearing more from this 5’2” powerhouse.
Check it out now!