It was one of those moments that felt destined, as though the universe had conspired to bring it to me. I was scrolling through a playlist, half-lost in thought, when a song stopped me in my tracks: Andrea Shelly’s “Want It.” The track was a revelation—a haunting blend of raw emotion and musical craftsmanship that demanded my attention. I played it once, twice, and by the third listen, I was captivated. I had to know more. As it turned out, “Want It” wasn’t just a song—it was the title track of an 11-track album, a sprawling, soulful journey through the highs and lows of life, love, and everything in between.
Andrea Shelly’s journey to Want It reads like a novel, rich with twists and turns. It began on the South Side of Chicago, where the air was thick with the sound of blues and rock ‘n’ roll. As a young girl, she absorbed it all—the raw, unfiltered energy of the bar scene, the way music could tell a story without uttering a word. That early exposure ignited a passion in her, one that would carry her through music school at the American Conservatory of Music and beyond.
But Shelly was never one to stay in one place. After school, she embarked on a life that felt like a series of vignettes: a horse guide in Colorado, a waitress on California’s Fisherman’s Wharf, and eventually, a commercial pilot in Alaska. Each stop along the way became a chapter in her story, collecting experiences and memories that would later find their way into her music.
Alaska, in particular, left an indelible mark. There’s something about the vast, open skies and rugged landscapes that changes a person. For Shelly, it was where her blues-rock roots began to meld with something softer, more introspective. Her music became a reflection of the places she’d been—expansive yet intimate, gritty yet tender.
If you listen closely to Want It, you can hear the echoes of Shelly’s journey. The album is a tapestry of influences, weaving together the soulful ache of blues, the storytelling heart of folk, and the infectious pulse of pop. It’s not a haphazard mix, though. Every note feels deliberate, as though she’s stitching together pieces of her life to create something entirely her own.
Shelly wears her influences with pride, drawing inspiration from legends like Shawn Colvin and Jackson Browne, while also nodding to modern greats like Brandi Carlile and Lord Huron. But here’s the thing: Shelly evolves. Her sound is a living, breathing entity, shaped by the people she’s met, the places she’s been, and the stories she’s lived to tell.
Want It is a roadmap. A guide to the messy, beautiful, often painful experience of being human. From the very first track, Shelly confronts the listener with unflinching honesty. The title song, “Want It,” delves into the complexities of addiction, posing a haunting question: Does someone struggling with their demons even want to be saved? It’s raw, it’s real, and it sets the tone for what’s to come.
But the album isn’t all weighty introspection. Tracks like “Tell Me Why” bring a lightness to the mix, with Latin-infused rhythms that invite you to move. And then there’s “Shame,” a sharp critique of the wealthy and powerful, delivered with Shelly’s signature blend of wit and grit.
One of the most poignant moments on the album is “Standing on the Corner,” a song born from tragedy. Inspired by a Chicago fire that brought a community together, the track features a haunting refrain and a story about a young boy who gifted Shelly a black and gold locket—a symbol of unity and resilience. It’s a reminder that even in the face of loss, there’s hope.
What ties it all together is Shelly’s voice. It’s not just a voice—it’s an instrument, a force of nature. She’s unafraid to be vulnerable, to lay her struggles bare for the world to see. And that’s what makes her music so compelling. It’s honest. It’s real.
Want It offers us a moment to pause, to reflect, to feel. If you’re searching for music that’s equal parts thought-provoking and soul-stirring, do yourself a favor: listen to Andrea Shelly.
To learn more about Andrea Shelly, visit and follow:
https://www.facebook.com/andreashellyofficial
https://linktr.ee/AndreaShellyMusic
