Gaining more and more fame after her songs “STUPID,” and “Daisy,” blew up on TikTok, this eccentric music artist has continued to wow listeners with a unique sound and style. Ashnikko has just released her debut mixtape titled DEMIDEVIL including three previously released singles and more to love.

While the project was originally set to be released in late February, after some copies were leaked, the musician decided to bring it forward to January 15, a decision fans (myself included) were not saddened about.

Ashnikko first released the single “Cry,” on June 17 of last year, which features electro-pop singer Grimes. This track was one of my favorites of the year, and I was hoping for more super-songs on the project like it. However, while every track is still pretty good, unfortunately I feel as if none of them live up to any of the singles, “Daisy,” and “Deal With It,” included. 

Not only do some of Ashnikko’s greatest tracks include grand production, unique from any other artist of today, but she has also created one-of-a-kind visuals too. 

“Drunk With My Friends,” has a super unique sound and uses more voice effects than most past songs, bringing variety to the table. This project did help to expand the musician’s versatility and range sound-wise as well, and demonstrating more of her talent in word-play and songwriting. 

“As a woman in music, I have definitely encountered a lot of toxic men. I always find it really difficult when people, especially men, are like, ‘I made you who you are.’ It’s like, ‘No, actually, I worked extremely hard and you helped me with a lot of things, but I made this music,” she states in an interview with Apple Music. 

The project’s second track “Toxic,” is an empowering anthem about being proud of yourself despite hateful people. 

“Little Boy,” is another song that talks about toxic men that Ashnikko has met along the way. The track is full of sadness, disappointment, and vulnerability, raw emotion that any woman can relate to. 

“Women hold the weight of the world / But you still talk down and call me little girl / I hate that shit / Listen now, if she needs to be coerced / My body's not an object or dessert / I am not your bitch, wanna see me switch? / Get psycho like they say I am.”

Ashnikko’s songs all resonate with bad bitch energy, and are perfect for feeling like yourself. 

Aside from collaborating with other amazing women Grimes and Kelis on singles, Ashnikko also teamed up with Princess Nokia for fourth track “Slumber Party.” The hip-hop artists' weirdness fits together perfectly with that of Ashnikko’s, vocally and style-wise. 

“Big doll eyes, amazin' / She's everything I've been prayin' / My heart palpitation / She looks like the type to break it.”

As an openly bisexual woman herself, Ashnnikko explores sexuality on this track, specifically having relations with taken women, something she apparently has gotten herself into on multiple occasions. “Me and your girlfriend playin' dress up at my house / I gave your girlfriend cunnilingus on my couch.”

I love the fact that both of these female artist’s do not shy away from discussing a wide range of topics and are always unapologetically themselves. They spread the message to be confident and not be ashamed of who you are no matter what. 

While this project includes ten tracks, I feel as if the last three create a dull outro. Track seven is a more off-the-wall rendition of Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8r Boi” instead titled “L8r Boi,” that is reminiscent, but mediocre nonetheless. 

The ninth track “Good While It Lasted,” is an emotional guitar heartbreak song, slower than most of her releases. It does give fans a taste of another side to Ashnikko, but it doesn’t shine her genius talent like earlier tracks on the EP.

“Clitoris! The Musical,” is the short final track, more of a skit than an actual song, all about the hilarious hardship cisgender, heterosexual men face when attempting to find the clitoris. 

While the end to the project wasn’t my favorite, I still loved the way Ashnikko showcased all sides of her, both musically and personally. She showed that she can be vulnerable and serious, but still her goofy, joking self that everyone loves. She does not shy away from crazy topics and breaks barriers by tackling misogyny with her calculated words. 

If you listen and enjoy any of her songs, you should definitely listen to this album and all her past music as well. I look forward to seeing Ashnikko grow as an artist in years to come.

I would give this 3.5 out of 5 Swoops. 

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