THE latest peek into Ashley Dupre’s not-so-private re cording world finds the former call girl has turned feminist riot grrl for her single “I Feel So Alive Without You.”
Right up front, the tune displays edge with simple, yet hard guitar strikes, reminiscent of Heart. Dupre lets you know that what’s making her feel so alive is “being without you.” With a staccato phrasing, she sings, “There I go again with my old boyfriend, what a waste of space, I think I better stay in.”
While the thrill of independence Dupre is singing about might be from a dumped high-school sweetheart, her true-life back story (as the ex-governor’s escort) makes your imagination wander to her freedom from the likes of “Client 9.”
No matter who she’s dumping and dumping on, she’s singing with enough intensity to make lines like, “I’m better, baby, on my own,” totally believable.
Unlike her first single, “Inside Out,” a molasses-tempo ballad, this new tune has youth appeal in its complex melody that segues from a rock opening to a poppy chorus and ultimately plays with an unplugged acoustic bridge. Dupre should consider weaving in a quick rap for good measure.
Like “Inside Out,” this piece showcases her husky vocals. Dupre sticks to her middle range for most of the tune, but near the close she surprises you by reaching for a couple of bars of so prano accent.
Ask any rock star and they’ll tell you it’s all about hooks, looks and the smarts to know how to take advantage of an opportunity when it falls into your lap — Miss Dupre has an abundance of all three qualities.