No Holding Back – Andrea Shelly Reveals Upcoming Album, “Want It”
The first thing you notice about Andrea Shelly is that she doesn’t fit into any neat musical box. Part pilot, part poet, she’s the kind of artist who collects life experiences like some people collect records. Her upcoming album “Want It” isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a roadmap of a life lived wide open.
Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, Shelly wasn’t destined to be just another bar band singer. Music was in her blood, but she wasn’t going to follow the typical musician’s path. After studying vocals at the American Conservatory of Music, she took a detour that would make most career counselors shake their heads. Horse guide in Colorado. Commercial pilot in Alaska. Waitress on California’s Fisherman’s Wharf & Cannery Row. Each job wasn’t just a way to pay the bills—it was research, collecting stories that would eventually become her music.
Flying small planes through the Alaskan mountains might sound terrifying to most, but Shelly says stepping on stage and playing her own music took more courage. It’s that kind of raw honesty that bleeds through every track on “Want It,” set to drop on February 28th.
The album is a powerhouse collaboration. John Thomasson from Little Big Town holds down the bass. Latin Grammy winner Daniel Uribe adds guitar magic. Sergio Wagner brings his jazz trumpet prowess. But this isn’t just another studio recording—it’s a musical summit where incredible talents converge to tell Shelly’s story.
“Standing on the Corner” emerges as the album’s emotional centerpiece. It’s a folk-indie track that captures those rare moments when tragedy strips away everything fake, leaving only pure human connection. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of solidarity—people climbing out of their boxes, gathering together when the world burns around them. It’s the kind of song that stops you in your tracks, makes you listen.
Then there’s “Tell Me Why,” a love song that refuses to play by the rules. With a Latin groove that’ll make you want to move, it challenges every cliché about romance. It’s upbeat, infectious, a middle finger to those who say love is predictable. Shelly sings about falling so hard that the rest of the world disappears—and she makes you believe every single word.
“Shame” shows a different side of her musical personality. It’s a track that dissects human pride with surgical precision. The kind of song that makes you uncomfortable, makes you think. Shelly isn’t interested in easy listening. She wants to provoke, to make you feel something real.
Her musical style defies simple categorization. Blues-rock grit crashes into indie vulnerability. Acoustic guitar riffs tangle with snappy bass lines. It’s the sound of someone who’s seen the world from 10,000 feet and isn’t afraid to bring those wide-open perspectives into her music.
The album’s backstory is as compelling as the music itself. Shelly’s contest nominations—including the International Songwriting Contest for “Tear It Down”—hint at her serious musical chops. But she’s not in this for the awards. She’s in it for the story.
Now based in Wasilla, Alaska, Shelly has found a landscape that matches her music. Vast. Uncompromising. Breathtaking. The wilderness seems to have seeped into her sound, giving “Want It” a sense of space and possibility that’s impossible to ignore.
Andrea Shelly is telling the world that she’s here, and she’s got a story that won’t wait to be told. She’s lived enough lives for ten musicians, and now she’s ready to share those experiences through her music.
For those tired of cookie-cutter artists, “Want It” is a wake-up call. It’s proof that true artistry can’t be contained by genre, by expectation, by anything other than the artist’s own vision.
Watch out. Andrea Shelly is coming, and she’s not asking for permission.
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