I sorta lose any note about what he’s saying when he says he’s annoyed by the music and it’s too much and then uses the soundboard which does the exact same things he criticises the music for and it’s just such an unnecessary distraction.
i prefer these offline reviews with newer releases, chat can get annoying a lot of the time and i feel its a lot more fair for an artist to get your full attention
True-“ blackcents” are incomprehensively cringe, although, while resisting “ urban”influences,the appropriation of anime/ gamer culture is hard to stomach- which sucks because yes, her voice is so irresistibly incredible .
Tbh I think Ashnikko is the only artist I've heard actually pull off the cringey video game/nerdy stuff. Largely because it's so consistent. She consistently displays her adoration and inspiration from Hatsune Miku even using the software for Daisy 2.0, her music video for Tantrum is literally a racing game, she ofyen wears the sexualised logic defying anime outfits you'd see posted to r/mendrawingwomen especially in her animated form for the Cry music video, and the kind of apolacyptic thrill of World Eater and the music video for WEEDKILLER feel more akin to a boss fight in a jrpg than a sci fi movie like what we'd see in a Starset music video. Basically she doesn't wear a mario costume and use a thesaurus to try and be "hip with the kidz"^tm because, well, she was and is the kidz. She just fully embraces the cringe and I respect it.
i’d kill to see brad’s thoughts on a full ethel cain album bc i don’t know how anyone could think her longer songs are “too long” within the context of the project idk
This!! Once you get into the mood, 7-9 minutes go like nothing. Though if Brad is to review Preacher's Daughter, he should check out the lore first to at least understand what the songs are about.
Also lowkey brad I think maybe the album reviews are better offline, you seem a lot more engaged with the content and overall, maybe it's better to conserve your live energy for the donation streams?
I think Ashnikko has a really polarising style and sound. I enjoyed every song on first or second listen, but this is the sound that I personally really enjoy. But I do appreciate you taking the time to sit down and give this a fair listen.
I love that even when you give a lower score, you always seem to make an effort to find redeeming qualities about the albums you review. I really value that in a critic and it makes your style of reviewing feel balanced. Great work as always Brad, love to see you thriving.
Yeah and IK people gave him crap for not liking Melanie’s music and I really love her but I really do think he’s chill and I can get a good laugh from his videos
Honestly to me Ashnikko's overt edgyness and sound that (intentionally) leans towards annoying is a huge part of the appeal. There's something kinda raw about it that I don't really find elsewhere and this album has been on repeat for me.
Honestly from ashnikko i get like.. "im literally the joker" vibes Not the stereotypical version, but a more modern adaption of it. "Heh.. world BURN... DRONE ARMY!! but im LAUGH at it... heh.. the pain? heh..." that typa stuff it just doesnt click with me man, i like intense music but not when the lyrics are ripped from the youtube comments of a nightcore song
@@melatoninlord8329oh it's simple, you just gotta wait for fantano to drop a video on this album and then just repeat what he says in the video and claim it as your own, hope that helps 😊
@@its.myparty I’m neutral abt it, but it’s honestly a big deal that he is publicly calling her a rapist, especially with the new update that is on Melanie’s side
My sister has been obsessed with ashnikko since she popped out and has beaten all of her songs to death everytime I drive her somewhere, i feel like she only has one sound/flow that immediately became annoying to me but I think she is genuinely talented I’d just like to hear her explore different sounds and mediums, her partners music Arlo Parks is wayyyy more palatable to me
Ashniko kind of popped into the scene as being massively subversive and it was fun and cool but that works for like 3 songs before it reads as... Unimaginative. What was awesome and new now reads as "go girlboss, get angry" but if it was done better 1000 times before it. There's a reason her first songs are still her most played by far.
@@Snocone333 true I wouldn’t want to try and draw too many comparisons but I am hoping that being in close proximity to another artist like Arlo might prompt a change in sonic direction despite it being risky to not know if the older fans would support something like that, it would be a risk worth taking if done correctly because it could potentially bring a new audience and make her more versatile as an artist
Honestly whether or not Ashnikko works for you is very much dependent on how easily you’re willing to buy what they sell. If you remember me from your Melanie videos, I used to be a big fan of hers because I bought into everything fully. I never thought her music was well-written or “deep”, but it felt real and authentic in its middle-school-poetry theatrics. It spoke to my primal teenage girl brain with its clumsiness and half-formed concepts, and even though it was fake deep as all hell I bought that Melanie believed herself. Watching your videos (and getting more context abt the allegation situation) shattered that illusion, and everything about her was suddenly fake in a way I never thought it to be before. Not only did the plastic spirituality and general toxicity of Portals reflect her heinous IRL actions but the realization all of Cry Baby’s trauma was edgy oc fanfic was the mail in her coffin. I can no longer buy her image at all. Ash filled the hole Melanie left for me pretty quickly, not because their music is even that similar but because they have the same teenage poet metaphor-salad angsty-nightcore-remix vibe. However, Ash feels a million times more real than Mel ever did. They actually have been through a lot of what they dramatize in their songs, and when they go full edgy deviantart OC they go for alien demon edgy ninja robot power fantasy instead of lolita chibi traumacore. Melanie’s false victimhood is a lot more impossible to buy than Ash’s false superhuman confidence. Ash’s awkward attempts to seem cool read as insecure when they fail, which is “cringe” but real the way I adore. Mel’s awkward attempts to seem scorned just make me sick with how toxic she seems. I can’t hear Mel spew nonsense phrases and bullshit platitudes anymore, but “I go liam neeson in the movie taken” was so fucking stupid I grinned ear to ear. Ash is having the time of their life playing everything up and sometimes stumbling but always trying. I admire that a lot about them. Look forward to more anime sketchbook music
No offence, but your comment makes you seem very young and impressionable... Don't listen to what a random guy on the internet says is the "right" opinion on music. No matter their credentials. Form your own opinions. Don't listen to me either, even though I'm gonna tell my opinion next. I LOVE Ash. Their brand speaks to me 100% and I get the lyrics, the production choices, song structure choices of the album, the way their music is evolving here on out is very smart, etc. I used to like Melanie. She had her own artistic interpretation of dealing with her trauma on Crybaby. And no, I don't care what this guy or anyone else thinks. I liked the album. I saw what she was going for with it. I stopped supporting Melanie when her friend Timothy accused her of sexual assault. Even though they were the only two people in the room, so we don't really know what happened, that is where I draw the line. And you need to decide where YOU draw the line, instead of listening to him or me.
Honestly both are good for different reasons, Melanie has a character with a story and ashnikko is confident and more carefree, I personally love both and you shouldn’t let another person or artist change your opinion on music, expand your taste and try new things and it’s fine if you don’t like it because everyone is different 💗
I read allat! I agree, I'm on the same page as brad more than half the time so watching him react to this, he straight up just wasn't buying into her brand and I get it 🫣 I feel like ashnikko's older stuff stands on its own more than the new album but since I was already bought in, I loved the new album! Haha Also I think the Melanie fans in the comments must have missed that she admitted to not having the "trauma" she sang about. It's sad because they praise her and probably relate to her fake trauma :(
@@godisdead7802 the hell are you talking about? Fake trauma? True LOL moment, Melanie's songs aren't about fake trauma weirdo, stop trying to assume that when what she sings is to bring AWARENESS of the fucked up things that happen in this world, such as her songs talking about it, not that she's trying to "fake trauma" at this point you guys are pulling false stuff out of nowhere 😭
I was thinking about your offline reviews recently and it’s cool to see you return to them. Good idea for taking a break from the community and its toxicity to just put out some good content. Hope this goes just as well in terms of views
@@blissoceanceo same here! I think they have a nice voice though it’s not really what I’m into I feel like I’d listen waaayyy more if their songwriting improved
I personally find their music to be a huge guilty pleasure, maybe not the most artistically rich thing of all time, but it helps me feel better when I'm down, especially after bad breakups. Enjoyable, but definitely in small doses. I love their personality tho, and I'm happy to see where they go next.
The on stream reactions are more entertaining because of chat, but I feel like his off stream reactions are more honest because he’s not being persuaded by chat
It's unfair that there's a really good Ethel Cain collaboration at the end because otherwise I'd never think about this album again. I never loved her other work but was hoping for something more accomplished and clever.
I feel like if she changed her flow on how she delivers stuff and changes a bit of her beats (as they kinda sound repeative especially if you listen back to back) but overall like her stuff and can’t wait for her future projects
I will say, if you watch her RU-vid playlist of the album her art concept definitely adds a better flow to the album. The music videos are so fun too! I feel very empowered when I listen to her as a woman so I wonder if gender is playing a role in the interpretation? Im not trying to say sexism at all just like how males and females perceive it and then also any queer ppl I appreciate your open mindedness!
@@O.N-97 ashnikko has no song with melanie, its just that people (and brad) tend to make a lot of comparisons to both artists because they are undeniably similar in some aspects, like for example both relying on a hairstyle as trademark (melanie's half-half and ashnikko's vibrant blue hair) and always diving their music on fantasy themes
@thatyphoon5219 I agree they do have similarities. Ashnikko did a live stream a while back confirming she would collaborate with melanie which is why I drew that conclusion.
This is literally like Melanie Martinez but good, wow. I'll check this one out. Great review/reaction too! It'd be cool to have more offline lowkey reactions like this.
I found myself surprisingly interested for this release because of my small but positive experience with a few songs from their earlier EP, but this was a bit disappointing and failed to capture what made those earlier songs interesting, despite it clearly trying to recreate that same success.
6ix9ine (unproblematic girl version). OK that *is* trite and reductive, but I get a lot of the same vibe - high energy and aggressive but vague enough to be broad in its appeal. The teenagers who it's made for will likely find it easier to relate because of that but because I, a withered old crone, am looking for more indepth and vulnerable storytelling in lyrics rather than something I can directly apply to my own life,, I'm left wishing she'd made some different choices. I can picture 17 year old me going fucking apeshit to this though, so it's kind of a case of "I am simply not the audience for this record". Also, like, hoo-hah and such.
Yes her”Vocal presence isunignorable” over the top as she is, THAT VOICE…god it always grabs me. Beyond the”bratty nympho serial killer wannabe, her sense of melody and delivery are so incredible. It’s in my secret “ guilty pleasure “ file.
I miss these, i feel like brad doesn't really say much with his complaints and such on stream, where here he doesn't have chat distracting him so he has actual things to say and I just find more entertaining
Honestly felt that, like I miss that chat and wished they hadn't ruined it for themselves but I also feel like he's more focused and shares his thoughts more clearly now
I feel like the album is a bit undecided in its style/ approach like you could argue its great but you could also argue its straight ass i also feel like its supposed to be very empowering and stuff but then sometimes shes just saying w o r d s
i think the chat has been really unbearable lately so offline vids like these could be a nice change of pace, plus the soundboard isnt abused as much since there are no ipad babies to entertain at the same time
I haven’t been too into ashnikko anymore as i used to be, I still like her and she’s super sweet and fun person but I prefer Melanies vibe more (dw I’m not a toxic Stan I just really like her music 😭😭) I do LOVE jazmin bean though too though which is a little similar to ashnikko too so I’d like to see your opinion on her ooo and PLEASE DO MARINA I LOVE HER SO MUCH SHES BEEN AROUND FOR ALONG TIME BUT SO UNDERRATED AND MELANIE TOOK INSPIRATION FROM HER ALBUMS BUT I WHILE I LOVE MELANIE I THINK MARINA IS BETTER AT WRITING HERSELF THAN MEL 😭😭
Melanie, Marina and Ashnikko are my favourite artists. unpopular and just my personal opinion but I love almost everything they bring out. WEEDKILLER wasn't what I expected but I still love it. I was also at a Q&A where she discussed the worldbuilding and story, so maybe im a little biased. I've been getting into Jazmin Bean lately and I'm seeing them live next month but as a new fan, I feel like I'm out of place lmao
@@faefindingawilltoliveLUCKY YOU GET TO SEE JAZMIN BEAN LIVE THATS AWESOME, jazmin bean, ashnikko have Melodie’s that are addicting af and while I like some more than others melanie for me I can’t find one bad song, istg theres some type of drugs in the songs
I listened to WEEDKILLER before watching your reaction, and I found the whole thing to be super obnoxious outside of the closer with Ethel Cain. I knew you were gonna have fun with the video game line on Worms before I checked out the video lmao. Glad to see you doing offline reviews again!
I like the offline reviews, I have a feeling that the streamed ones, while fun, take alot more effort on your part to keep the stream audience engaged.
offline reviews for newer projects might be a great way to go sometimes!! This was very fun, and you seemed very engaged and able to covey your thoughts a bit easier. Very solid video.
@@hatesouffleyou're going out of your way to view and comment many times on this man's content because you're offended he dislikes something you had no part in the creation of
@@abasement666 couldn't u say the same with the amount of 1 hour long videos he makes about her where he's just all grumpy and throwing a fit..or is it only wrong when the fans do it
Although I didn’t like the album. I found this album to be WAY better than Demidevil. The hooks are better, there’s a lot less annoying lyrics (sadly there’s still some here) and some of the beats are nice. 3/10!
I really like weedkiller as an album but i do agree with your critiques. Some songs on the album just arent as well crafted as the others and i feel ashnikko does have potential to grow artistically, esp seen in Dying Star. Some of her lyrics are still edgy and juvenile but overall Weedkiller is way better than Demidevil.
As with any form of art not every peice or artist will be for everyone and that's ok. For me personally I like the the songs. I enjoy the message and interpretation I take from them. Art is subjective.
I love Ashnikko’s aesthetic and production soooo much but her tracks just always fall flat for me. Really hope to see her grow into her sound and put out an absolute banger of an album in the future.
@@talynhastime9343 Literally nothing I've heard from her was good. Deal With It is ok, but Daisy and I'm Stupid are heinously bad, and Demidevil was fucking cringe.
@@boopus4617 SERIOUSLY THOUGH!!! He’ll listen to Swans playing the same chord for 10 minutes but when Ethel Cain makes a long song it’s boring because “waaahh women” and “waaahh reverb”. But like seriously though people are far too dismissive of the actual music of her albums just cuz it’s very reverbish and long, but in my opinion this reverb adds a sense of atmosphere that adds to the somber, empty feeling of her stuff and it completely has me invested. Also it just sounds good imo
I don't dislike Ashnikko. A few songs have been enjoyable and even got some replay from me. But the sound overall just isn't for me. I can see the appeal for some people, tho... That said, all I can hear on "You Make Me Sick" is angry Tommy Pickles, so it's really difficult to take that song seriously.
This album is the definition of disappointing, from the singles (except You Make Me Sick! and MAYBE the title track, personally), to the first song, and throughout the entire listen. None of this would click with me at all in anyway. People give Demidevil a lot of crap but at least her type of weird and quirked up personality worked better there.
hey brad! love your videos. i dont agree with this review but this is not what the comment is about. i know the video thumbnail may be fun for some but ashnikko has came out as a victim of sexual assault (some songs on the album deal with this) and thus i think it's a bit insensitive to edit an alleged sexual abuser to look like her just because you think sonically they are alike. no hate! just politely pointing this out ❤
i love ur offline reviews. i feel like not being in front of a chat makes ur thoughts more thought out if that makes sense. i still hope to join more streams in the future but i won’t mind if they’re replaced with these sit down videos either
Good vid as always Brad :) Think the video background/aesthetics looks a lot better like this with less clutter on screen. Don’t get me wrong, I love chat but I also love simplicity haha.
Not feeling this album. Was annoyed by Ashnikko’s debut, but then she grew on me. She’s Tumblr but oddly likeable. This album is not why I counted myself a fan. It overall sounds like everything else on the radio nowadays-airy vocals and trap beats.
I’ll be honest, I think you are extremely over critical. It’s a bit annoying. Also the song “Possession of a Weapon” was written in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and is extremely mournful, so your comments come off a bit harsh and ridiculous there😭Idc if you don’t like the album, not at all, but my god some of the things you had to say in here, it was so outrageous. Like no, Chokehold Cherry Python does not sound anything like Black Skinhead💀Kanye didn’t invent hitting a bass drum a bunch of times in a row. That’s in like…so many songs😭and maybe if you did a little bit of research on the album you’d be into it more. I don’t understand why people don’t do that. Go read up on it and the other stuff she has in store. Don’t go into a album listen with high or low expectations. Otherwise you will always be disappointed.
@@sporkzzz not true at all. Not even a little. There’s plenty of albums where if u just listen and u don’t get the album at all, and what exactly it’s trying to do, you probably won’t like it. If you knew more about the album going in, you’d be way more open and interested.
@@sporkzzz I mean I guess. But like😭u probably won’t do that. For example, I don’t think ANYONE is going to understand To Pimp a Butterfly just listening. The more research I’ve done on that album and the more complexity I find in it I love it a little more each time.
so this is a concept album!!! the lyrics dont seem “real” bc its not lol! ashnikko explains in a lot of interviews that this album is based off of her made up world, like a story shes written about a forest-y fairy world that was taken over by machinery, or “weedkillers”. they’re also drawing a comic of this world, this album isnt the only project they’re working on. sorry for the super long explanation, everyone seemed sort of confused about the lyrics so i thought i’d try to help 😅
I like distorted sounds, screams and "weird" lyrics. Most of the time, I know if I'll like a song from the first note. I like the album. WEEDKILLER isn't bad, it's messy. I felt like I was hearing all the versions of Ashnikko. I hear her first version (2018), just as I hear her last version (2021), it's particular. I listened to "You Make Me Sick!" over and over for a month, and it was very pleasant and relieving. However, if I put myself in the shoes of a "cis white man" hearing this song for the first time, I'd feel a bit uncomfortable. I feel a lot of hatred in this song towards men, and for me (a woman) that's satisfying, so I imagine that on the other side of the coin, it must be a bit strange. The biggest negative in my opinion: the lyrics. I like Ashnikko's writing style, it's not deeply researched, it's raw. BUT. Sometimes, it leads to lyrics that take me completely out of the song and embarrass me. When I heard "your life is a blooper", it totally disconnected me and I cringed. I get the same feeling from her song "Special" with the lyrics "You should get 'Fuckboy' tattooed". In short, it's quite distracting. I enjoy your review of the album, it's honest and funny ! You have a new subscriber (●'◡'●)
Hearing Worms for the first time in months reminded me that the beat is almost identical to the chorus of Brick + Mortar's song Question. It's almost 100% a coincidence, but I can't not think about it when I hear the Ashnikko song.
Wasn't a huge fan of this album but I must say, this trap-esque sound fits Melanie a lot better than just straight up ripping off Bjork on Portals. 5-/10, stoked to hear their next effort
i was really looking forward to this album, i loved the singles and sadly the majority of the rest of the album just felt half baked in comparison. hopefully it grows on me over time but overall im a bit let down
Her vocals at times remind me of V’s song from Devil May Cry 5. She should collab with full of hell & the body or something then I’d actually be interested lol
Out of curiosity, what happened to the recent reupload of the cringe the album video, cause it seems like it got taken down again, but usually you just were able to get it immediately reuploaded, so I’m just curious as to what happened this time.
i would like you make me sick, but some of the delivery is a bit awkward, like the way she delivers some of the lines in a sung tone, it would have been better if the whole song had the shouty rage style rather than some lines being sung (the line at 3:50 for example) like the idea, dont like the execution
The album is based on video games and comic books. I personally appreciate that they're taking the experimental route, versus the mainstream pop music route. Even Ashnikko knows their lyrics are silly at times, and they're not taking themself too seriously. They are playing a character on 90 % of this album, and I feel like you kinda missed the point there. However, I do think some of your criticisms are valid especially pertaining to the songs that are pandering more to the pop demographic. But that's the beauty of music. It's all subjective. Either we can relate to it, or we can't.
