Ainsley Smart has just released her second single and music video, “Blame Me”, via Pineapple Recordings, her independent label.

Playing off the nostalgic tune of a childhood lullaby, the deeply personal lyrics take us through Smart’s childhood trauma and the painful memories of her parents’ divorce, a cathartic and soulful release as she lyrically works towards forgiveness. The music video shows Smart enduring a sleepless night whilst her partner soundly sleeps in their hotel room. She paces the room and corridors, but at the end we see her sitting at the piano, and playing the song we are listening to, having finally found respite in music. It’s a fitting visual metaphor for Smart’s life and career.

“Blame Me” is Smart’s second single, following her August release, “Way Too Easy”. Her fan base, drawn in by her rich vocals and skillful, raw songwriting, will be excited to hear that she’s now preparing to release her first full length project, “The Truth”. A two-part album, she will release part 1 in February.

But Ainsley Smart is doing things her own way. Following her experience of the dark underbelly of the music industry, she set out to create a new industry model that would support artists and maximise positive impact in the world rather than exploit people for profit. Pineapple Records was born – her own label. It’s enabled Ainsley to not only own all her masters, but to have full control over every aspect of the music – the words, the vision and the distribution. Finally free to make music that is authentically true to herself, Ainsley Smart’s latest single is unrestrained, bold, and set to make waves in the industry.

Head below to listen to “Blame Me”…

Octavia Akoulitchev