Ainsley Costello - EXLESS

​Ainsley Costello

EXLESS
self-released; 2025

By Jamie Funk
​

Ainsley Costello’s debut album EXLESS plays like a confident, hook filled mission statement, one that pushes back against the tired narrative that you have to be in love to be complete. “I wanted EXLESS to be the album I didn’t hear growing up,” Costello explains. “I was so tired of only hearing songs about how sad it is if you’ve never been in a romantic relationship.” Instead, she wrote an album that celebrates self possession, independence, and the messy beauty of being in between. It is a concept that feels rooted in her generation’s values, and honestly, it works.

By the late 90s, I was already an adult, and I remember that era of pop and alt rock being unselfconsciously optimistic. This record taps into some of that same energy. The opening track, “EXLESS,” sounds like something I would have heard on the radio back then. It has a tight, melodic verse and a chorus that punches through clean and bright. There is a clarity to it, no irony, no posturing, just a young artist going all in.

“People Pleaser” is one of the early standouts. It leans more into the ballad lane but still feels driven by guitars. The hook is undeniable. “Can’t Say I’m Not Trying” shifts gears into synth pop territory. It is not my favorite production style, but there are strong melodic choices that carry it through. “Change Your Mind” brings the guitars back, and I really liked the textures here. Her vocals hit especially well on this one, earnest and a little defiant.

“Up For It” is one of the catchiest tracks on the record. It is the kind of pop song that feels ready for a live crowd to scream along with. On “Anywhere But Here,” Costello sings openly about therapy, which caught my attention. That kind of emotional transparency wasn’t common when I was her age, at least not in pop music. It made me realize how different the cultural context is now and how refreshing it is to hear someone lean into it.

“You Problem” is the slowest track here, a more reflective ballad, while “THEREGOESMY!” flips the energy completely. It is the closest thing to a dance track on the album and feels like a stylistic detour, but a fun one. The closer, “Alchemy,” ties things up on a solid note and was really well written.

What stands out most about EXLESS is how clearly it reflects the voice of someone in their early twenties, curious, searching, and unafraid to try on different styles. The themes feel timely, even generational, and that is part of the album’s charm. This is a pop record through and through, but it is one that dips into rock, electronic, and ballad territory with ease. Take a listen!

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