Nevan Castañeda delivers High Octane Rock on new single “Ashes to Ashes”

Nevan Castañeda‘s new single “Ashes to Ashes” dropped last month, and it feels like a guy finally cutting loose after years of playing it straight. This is a rowdy little number with a kick-drum heartbeat and guitars that bite just enough to wake you up. Cut in Tennessee with a crew that knows their way around a session, it clocks in tight, under three minutes, and leaves you wanting the band to keep the amps cranked.

Solid mid-tempo shuffle, nothing fancy. Drums snap clean without overdoing the fills, bass locked in low and steady so the whole thing rolls. You got fiddle cutting through here and there, courtesy of Jenee Fleenor, adding that country twang. Guitars chug along, crunchy but controlled, no wanky solos, just the right dirt to push the chorus over the edge. Lonnie Wilson on drums keeps it pro-level tight, guy’s a vet for a reason. Matt Wilder produced, and you hear it in how everything sits. Vocal up front, band in the pocket, no mud.

Nevan’s voice is what sells it, like he’s been hollering these words over a barstool all night. Starts easy in the verses, builds a head of steam by the hook, then lets loose with some real gravel on the repeats. Phrasing’s loose, behind the beat a hair, which gives it swing instead of that stiff radio sheen. It’s more bar-band swagger than spotlight croon, and that’s coming from a guy who’s spent years nailing Elvis notes.

Track’s built simple. Intro drops quick, verses set the scene lean, choruses explode out wide. Dynamics work, no flatline mix. It breathes, pulls back, then slams. Sounds great loud, holds up on headphones too. After his earlier stuff like “It Should’ve Been Us” or “In Love,” decent smooth rollers that got him some ink, this one’s got teeth. Less pretty-boy pop, more dirt-road rock with soul and blues sneaking in the edges. First of six singles he’s got cooking for ’26, and if they follow this blueprint, he’ll have something real to build on.

Point of the song? Passion that burns hot and messy, the kind that keeps dragging you back no matter how bad it flares. Direct as a pool cue, no fancy wordplay, just hooks that stick. Fits his story: kid from Aurora who chased Elvis dreams, placed top ten in tribute contests, now owning his originals with award-winning muscles behind him. Live, this’d kill in a sweaty club, crowd singing, beers raised.

Stream “Ashes to Ashes” now on your favorite streaming platform. Guy’s just getting his wheels under him, jump on early.