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Ashton Nicole Casey, also known as Ashnikko, has become a rising star in the music industry and has captured the attention of many listeners worldwide with her fierce, unapologetic and unique approach to her music. She has mostly become known for her viral TikTok song “STUPID” featuring Young Baby Tate.
With her highly anticipated second studio album “WEEDKILLER,” Ashnikko delivers a powerful collection of songs that dive into female empowerment and taking advantage of making change.
One of the things that grabbed my attention and made me truly enjoy her new album is that it explores themes of heartbreak, self-love and vulnerability with collaborations and visual representations that make this album a groundbreaking example of female empowerment, in alternative contemporary music. Each song challenges societal norms and re-claims the power of women with edgy tracks and heartbreaking ballads.
The long-awaited album features 13 songs such as “Cheerleader,” “Worms,” “Moonlight Magic” and “Dying Star.” These all range from different genres such as hardcore rock to fast-paced anthems.
When I first listened to the album, I was instantly amazed at the song “Moonlight Magic.” I was drawn into its enchanting atmosphere, thanks to Ashnikko’s mesmerizing vocals and the intricately layered instrumentals. The moonlight becomes a metaphor for embracing one’s true self and finding strength within the darkness. It’s a poetic exploration of the journey we all take to find our own magic. In my opinion, the song serves as a metaphorical journey of self-discovery and empowerment, using the moonlight to symbolize embracing one’s true self and finding strength in darkness. I enjoy that she takes the time to remind everyone that it’s okay to be different and that our quirks are what makes us truly magical and create a powerful message that resonates with listeners. I like that the song is a poetic exploration of individuality and self-acceptance, leaving a lasting impression with Ashnikko’s distinct voice and versatile delivery.
Further down the album, “You Make Me Sick,” one of the title tracks, provides an outlet for angsty and aggressive emotions. I think that this song is one of the most emotionally charged songs on the album that acknowledges the healing process of toxic emotions while reflecting the conflicting desire to be around someone despite their negative impact. I like that the song is structured as emotional rollercoaster that is supposed to make the listener feel a range of emotions.
One of the things I love about Ashnikko as an artist is that her choice of featured artists to enhance the album’s depth. Personally the most anticipated song on the album for me was “Super Soaker” featuring Spanish artist Daniela Lalita. The song stands out to me due to Lalita’s spanish vocals that add a darker dimension to the song, contrasting with its playful imagery of a childhood toy, the super soaker. The song title refers to the recurring theme a super soaker a childhood toy that is associated with playfulness and fun which is exactly what this song is but had a darker meaning behind it. Even though the song has a fun and playful title name the song’s title takes on a deeper meaning as Lalita sings about lost trust and a reluctance to fall in love again.
In contrast from a lot of her songs on the album, “Dying Star” the closing track features singer song writer Ethel Cain. The song is deeply personal yet relatable. It showcases Ashnikko’s growth throughout the album’s journey, as she comes to terms with her identity. To me, this song on the album was deeply personal and showed that after this long , heartbreaking and liberating journey Ashnikko is finally okay with being vulnerable and has gained lots of personal growth from the experiences she has had in her life.
I love that in this song, she breaks away from traditional song structures, mirroring the unpredictability of life and taking the listeners on a journey just as unpredictable and rigid as hers. In my opinion, the song seamlessly transitions to courses that are introspective and includes bridges that are ethereal using Ashnikko’s metaphors and vivid storytelling paint a complex picture of personal growth, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences.
The “WEEDKILLER” album most definitely has a unique blend of sounds that create an edgy and bold style. The album definitely does a great job of portraying what kind of person Ashnikko is and the music she wishes to create for her listeners. For me, the album as a whole does a great job of distinguishing Ashnikko’s personality and what she stands for in the music industry. She never fails to make a song that does not spread her infectious energy. Ashnikko will always continue to be my favorite artist because she pushes boundaries and continues to be herself and consistently continues to be authentic to herself and listeners.
