Ashlee Simpson says her new album will have more mature sound

Ashlee Simpson says she has been listening to a lot of India.Arie, Tori Amos and Fiona Apple for inspiration and is going for a more soulful sound for her new album. She is planning to release the album on October 2007.

She had been writing with Keena and Chad Hugo and is also said to be working with Timbaland, John Legend, and Tim Rice-Oxley. Simpson has been dying to work with The Cure's front man, Robert Smith, so she has roped in him as well.

Ashlee says the album will have a mature sound, yet still remain rock. She has also said that the album will have less focus on relationship troubles and breakups. “This record is not like, ‘I didn’t steal your boyfriend’ or anything like that,” she says. She also added, “But who knows what’s going to happen in the next few months. I’ll probably have my heart broken and then end up with one of those kinds of songs on there. Don’t count on it, though.”

She says confidently, “I’m in a stronger place now. I’m coming into my womanhood, and it’s changing my music.”