Ashley Puckett Is Raising Eyebrows On “Never Say Never” Debut Album

When beautiful Ashley Puckett takes the stage, eyebrows are immediately raised, however when those first notes are sung the crowd snaps to attention as the warm, full-bodied sound which is presented is majestic and resonant. Country music star Ashley Puckett’s debut album Never Say Never has garnered her much industry attention, with three hit singles; “Bulletproof,” “Live Like You Love” and “Medicine,” Ashley is ready to get back on the road and solidify her place in the upper echelon of singer/songwriter Country music. Never Say Never is an upbeat Country offering focusing on contemporary Country styles and themes yet, we hear a maturity behind the nuances of this album which lend to an educated approach. Ashley Puckett has learned from the heroes of the past and is focusing on the present to ride this wave to stardom.

Focusing on one single which really absorbed me; “Bulletproof” is a raw, rocking, upbeat track featuring a very clever banjo counter-melody to Ashley’s vocals. This track deals with letting your guard down and letting others get to know you; “Open up your armored heart and let me in, I wanna get under your skin, You ain’t gotta be Bulletproof”. The way Ashley portrays these lyrics, full of metaphor is liberating as a performer as she really puts herself out there to take charge and assert her dominance in this listening space. This presence on a debut album is almost unheard of, as it is generally reserved for veteran players able to hire the top producers to extract these emotions from a singer. Other gems on Never Say Never include; “Be My Baby,” a down-tempo ballad showcasing Ashley’s dynamic range; “Mirror,” a thematic, majestic offering which would be a perfect fit for a soundtrack to your next favorite movie; and “Never Say
Never,” the title track which encapsulates all the best elements of Ashley’s performance. Not having a new CD release since 2019, due largely to the pandemic, the world is ready for more of Ashley Puckett’s energy, stage presence, and regal singing.

–Lee Callaghan