Exclamation Declaration

Exclamation Declaration is the second studio album by British singer and songwriter Ashley!, which was released 25th June 2012 via Fusion Records. It is a follow up from the Diamond selling debut album, New York Dreamer. It charted at number 1 in the official Uraps chart on release.

The majority of the album was recorded in early 2012 in New York, LA and Sweden, and produced by big names such as RedOne, Xenomania and Tony Gab to name a few. Writers on the album included Ruby Stephingham, Elice Claire, Syd Wolfe and Ashley herself, telling fans she has become alot more involved with the writing of the album. On May 29, it was confirmed that along with No Little Thing and Honey (who Ashley has released Privacy and Scaredy Cat, respectively), Aimee Lyons and Kazimeria would be featuring on songs on the album. The tracklisting was released the following day, which includes 10 brand new tracks.

A massive promotional campaign lead up to the release of the album, with a new unveiling each day, with the tag #ExclamationDeclaration__Days seeing artwork unveiling, tracklisting and collaboration news. The album was released alongside 'Here I Am' (the third release from the album, behind Scaredy Cat and Privacy). The single charted at #1 and sold 80,000+ in the first week alone.

The album was briefly re-released with four brand new tracks in June 2013, including her latest Tango Challenge entry to commerate the albums first birthday and coincidentally, the album granting a Diamond status, for having sold over one million copies. The album fell out of the chart on its 54th week, making way for Ashley to release her third album.

During it's span, Exclamation Declaration saw five single releases, including two number ones (Privacy and Marionette), a successful top three acoustic version of the album and the singers first worldwide tour, including arenas in the UK leg.

Background
Ashley confirmed working on her second studio album during the promotion for the last single on her 'New York Dreamer' era, 'Proud Mom', where Ashley confirmed working with the likes of RedOne and Tony Gab, who worked on the first single taken from the album, Scaredy Cat, which was released as part of 2012's, Tango Challenge, in which she worked with Honey.

She also confirmed that she would be 'more involved' in the writing and producing section of the album, as she felt she wanted to express herself more in her lyrics, revealing memories of her childhood and growing up. During promotion for 'Scaredy Cat', Ashley broke down on air when she was talking about a personal memory in her childhood, which she has wrote about in a song.

For the re-release of the album, Exclamation Declaration Celebration, Ashley stated that she had worked on the songs whilst on a holiday and as she toured the world, as it gave her time to chill out and let the music flow more freely. She also stated the same when promotion the acoustic version of the album.

Release and reception
Exclamation Declaration was released on 25 June 2012, the same date as the album's third single, Here I Am. The album was received very positive, with mainly acknowledged the albums diversity and Ashley becoming for involved with the writing and promotion.

A reviewer from 'The Sun' wrote about the album..

"'Bursting with a mixture of up-tempo, light hearted pop and dance tracks, against some more serious, hard hitting tracks, Ashley finds the perfect balance for an all-round perfect pop album. With infectious lyrics and with fun backing beats, tracks such as 'Here I Am' and 'The Enemy' show Ashley's confident side without turning to arrogance, but with the harder hitting lyrics from 'A Lifetime' really shows the vulnerability in Ashley's voice and will have you reaching tissues. This is a recommended album for any pop music fan! (9/10)'"

MSN Music reviewed the album..

"'Exclamation Declaration brings a whole new meaning to the term 'jukebox'. The funnily titled album is enough to get people talking, but when you hit the play button you are hit with an onslaught on pop pleasers and dancefloor fillers. Ashley clever fusion of pop and dance, uptempo and midtempo, light-hearted and serious tone really pays off for her. This is gonna be huge. Well done Ashers, well done!"

'A Lifetime' controversy
'A Lifetime' was the final song to be 'unlocked' via Ashley's official website, with just a matter of day until the official release, but the song gained was the center of controversy, due to the nature of the song being on 'domestic abuse'. Many critics and parents were shocked at the lyrics in the song which see her sing about 'looking for a way out' (ie. suicidal thoughts). A statement was released afterwards stating that Ashley approached the message of the song with a delicate and fragile way and tried to open up this to a new generation whom might not be aware of the dangers of abuse and the consequences it may lead to. Ashley has performed the song live, in particular at 2013s Comic Relief show, to help raise money.

Singles

 * "Scaredy Cat," was released as part of this years 'Tango Challenge' on March 19th. Ashley was teamed up with Urban/R'n'B artist, Honey and promotion began at the beginning of March. Despite being early favourites to win the title, many critised the little promotion from Honey in particular. The single charted at #7 but still managed to sell well, selling over 200,000 copies, receiving it's gold certification. After the 'challenge' Ashley stated she 'had a blast' and would certainly do it again. Thee single still remains in the charts after 11 weeks.
 * "Privacy," was released May 7 2012, and is a collaboration with No Little Thing. It was released as 'Exclamation Declaration's' single. During the lead up to the premiere, Ashley had revealed that the single would be with another Tango competitor (as No Little Thing had been paired up with Kazimeria). The single was premiered on 1st April when it was confirmed No Little Thing were the collaborators. Promotion for the single saw a '4D Extravaganza Gig' at Wembley aswell as many performances and appearances. The single charted at #1 on the Uraps chart, a first for both the artists, selling over 100,000 copies in it's first week alone. Both artists were extremely grateful, and both stated they wouldn't hesitate working with eachother again.
 * "Here I Am" was the third single to be released from the album on June 25, 2012. It was released along side the album and charted at number 4, whilst the album charted at number 1. The single went on to sell over 300,000 copies giving it a platinum certification. It remains in the charts 14 weeks after it release. It continued Ashley's top 20 string on hits.
 * "Marionette" was the song chosen by fans to be released as the fourth single from the first edition of the album, after the choice was given to them to pick between Marionette, Saint and The Enemy, with the former receiving over 50% of the vote. It was released on October 8th, and charted at number 1, selling over 100,000 copies in it's first week! It has since gone onto sell 440, 945 copies in the UK alone, her biggest success yet.
 * "We've Got A Problem" was the fifth and final single to be released from the album, and the eleventh overall. Released as part of 2013's Tango Challenge, Ashley released alongside Aimee Stevens who wrote the song. It charted at number four on the Uraps chart and was the third most successful release of the unique week. The song spent just 13 weeks in the chart, selling 228,873 copies, receiving a Gold certification. This was one of the last singles to be awarded this status before the boundaries were altered.