Brighton-Based Synth-Pop Artist Salt Ashes Unveils ‘10 + 2’–A Heartfelt Tribute to Her Late Father, Out February 12th via RadikalRecords
There are some losses that reshape us. For Salt Ashes, the passing of her father left a space no words could fill. Her new single, ‘10 + 2’, out February 12th via Radikal Records, is her most personal and vulnerable release yet. Stripping away the pulsating beats and dark synths that have defined her sound, she lays herself bare with just an acoustic guitar, sweeping strings, and a voice heavy with love and longing.
Embracing a raw, stripped-back arrangement of finger-picked acoustic guitar that moves like the passing of time—gentle, persistent, and impossible to stop—while her vocals, aching with tenderness, weave through the song. The strings swell, as if carrying the weight of everything left unsaid, and by the time the final note fades, you’re left suspended in the quiet that follows loss.
The music video is just as intimate. Edited by Salt Ashes herself, it’s made entirely from home videos—fragments of a life once shared. Grainy clips of childhood, moments of laughter, the small, ordinary gestures that mean everything in hindsight. It’s a love letter, not just to her father, but to anyone who has ever longed for just one more moment with someone they’ve lost.
Salt Ashes has steadily built her reputation through both her music and electric live performances. Since her debut, she has gained wide acclaim and support from industry heavyweights such as The Guardian, Attitude Magazine, Buzzfeed, Gaydio, Notion, Wonderland, DIY, and Metal. Her 2021 album ‘Killing My Mind’, produced by Louis Souyave, reached the Top 10 in the iTunes Pop Album Charts, with all four singles charting on the iTunes Singles Charts and receiving support from BBC Introducing.
For the past 15 months, Salt Ashes has been grappling with an unexplained vocal condition that has left both doctors and specialists searching for answers. It is a delicate, personal battle, yet, despite the uncertainty, she pours every ounce of resilience into ‘10 + 2’.
“A pop star with immaculate self-governing credentials, equal parts charty and arty.”-The Guardian
“Salt Ashes is the dame of dark pop”-Wonderland
“She channels the glacial tones of Scandi-pop singers like MØ… adds a deeply organic and earthy element to the genre”-DIY
Salt Ashes: In Remembrance of Her Father
Despite this obstacle, these past two years have seen Salt Ashes release a string of singles and music videos, amassing over a million combined views and continuing to expand her devoted fanbase. She ended 2024 with a fiery release of ‘Bad Things Right’ which premiered in Noctis Magazine. Her track ‘Didn’t See It Coming’, produced by Grammy-nominated Dimitri Tikovoi, became a fan favourite, with its music video reaching over half a million views and securing play on Elton John’s Rocket Hour Show. With BBC Surrey and BBC Sussex inviting her for live sessions and her track ‘Stains’ securing Radio 1 airplay from Gemma Bradley, Salt Ashes’ ability to captivate audiences and critics alike has only strengthened.
Salt Ashes first captivated the dance music world in 2016 with her self-titled debut album, produced by the late Daniel Fridholm (AKA Cruelty) and Rob Irving (House of Emeralds). Tracks like ‘Save It’ garnered significant attention, reaching #22 on Billboard’s Dance Club Chart and gaining placements on Music Week’s Club Charts. Earlier singles ‘Somebody’ and ‘If You Let Me Go’ also found success, charting in the Top 5 on Billboard and Music Week’s Dance Charts and earning Salt Ashes MTVU Freshmen and MTV IGGY’s Artist of the Week honours. Her 2015 track ‘Raided’, supported by BBC Introducing and playlisted on BBC Radio 1Xtra, remains a Spotify fan favourite, solidifying her unique sound and style.
Beyond the studio, Salt Ashes has captivated audiences with her electric stage presence, touring with a wide range of artists including supporting Goldfrapp on tour, ‘80s pop sensation Tiffany, Alphabeat, Tove Styrke, Say Lou Lou, Little Boots, NIMMO, and Bimini, among others. She also delivered an unforgettable performance at Apple’s flagship London store, showcasing her ability to connect deeply with her audience through her music and powerful onstage energy.
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