Review Summary: A great album with production value, decent lyricism, and feminist anthems.
A song by song review for “Demidevil” by Ashnikko:
Daisy - This song has been out for a while and as it is the "lead single" off of the mixtape, it's fair that it's first. It has a really good tempo and is produced pretty well. My only issue with the song is the effects put onto Ash's voice.She can sing, she's proved that in multiple Instagram snips and YouTube videos. So why is it so heavy on them? Then again looking back to the "Hi, It's Me" EP - this just may be the style she's aiming for.
Toxic - I sat for the first few seconds and was like "This is interesting." That's because it starts with the chorus. There isn't anything wrong with starting there except when the chorus is kind of long. And by kind of long - I mean long. Like the song isn't even 3 minutes long and damn near 3/4ths of it is just chorus, I find that odd. I do like the reference to Britney Spears in the line "You're so toxic, like Britney bitch [...]" It's a song I'd have to listen to a few more times to truly get into, but I do like it.
Deal With It (feat Kelis) - If the rest of the mixtape was like this, I'd be completely ok with that. This song came out a few days before the mixtape and has a pirate based music video. I had only listened to it once and kind of blew it off. That was definitely a mistake, it's a banger. There are still effects on her voice, but this time instead of completely covering her abilities it's truly used to enhance them. Also I'd be wrong to not give her credit for the Kelis feature. The feature is simply a sample of an old Kelis song, but instead of hiding the fact it was sampled (*cough* like Drake did *cough*) she gave credit to the original artist.
Slumber Party (feat. Princess Nokia) - ***, I love this song. It's dirty and explicit, but not completely overwhelming. Ashnikko is an artist who freely expresses her sexuality and sexual freedom in the best "IDGAF" kind of way. Princess Nokia was a very good choice as a feature on this track, her verse is sweet and to the point. There aren't many other artists that I could imagine doing that quick, swift justice for this song. Comparing it to her other songs, it gives me a mix of "Manners'' and " No Brainer" vibes lyrically. It's definitely my favorite.
Drunk With My Friends - This song doesn't really have any special qualities. It's a little over 2 minutes long and sounds like something you'd listen to when taking Molly in a club or at a hippie festival. I mean it's fine, but not a song that I'd automatically go too. The only other song like that of hers that I feel the same way towards is "Nice Girl" from her Unlikable EP.
Little Boy - Similar to Drunk With My Friends, it's a background song. She's consistent with her theme of being an independent woman, and this song is accompanied with feminist lyrics like "My body's not an object or dessert I am not your bitch" Like I said above, it's fine - just not a song I'd go too.
Cry (feat. Grimes) - "Cry" was the first song to come out from Demidevil in June of 2020. Arguably, "Tantrum" should have been left on and would have been the first single from the mixtape. Regardless of my opinion on that, this song is honestly a masterpiece and the best Ashnikko has put out so far. It blends genres, shows off her genuine talent and feels more raw than her other songs.She put out a video around two months after the song came out of her doing a metal version of the song with Employed to Serve. It kind of just proved how well rounded this song could be. Lyrically, "Cry" expresses vulnerability. Lines like "I'm a tough bitch, but I'm sensitive" shows a softer and emotional side to Ashnikko, instead of the normal "I'll stomp on your face and not give a ***" attitude. As for the feature, Grimes is such an interesting artist. In this song, she sounds like a fairy-like creature and a guiding voice. Comparing it to other Grimes features (i.e. Play Destroy by Poppy), you can actually differentiate their voices. Their voices work really well together and honestly I wouldn't be mad if they collabed again.
L8r Boi - Oh, where do I start? According to an interview, this is a feminist twist to Avril Lavigne's Sk8r Boi - where "He [the skater boy] not the prized object in this song, whereas in the original he is." In no way, shape, or form does it compare to the original. HOWEVER, it's not bad, like at all. Personally, I could see why someone wouldn't like it, but also I can see someone like myself who needs a little confidence boost putting this on.The bridge is probably the best part and it's hilarious: "Five years from now in a beautiful home, somebody else is makin' her moan skater boy is alone, with his hand on his balls, still punchin' holes through his basement wall." Overall, it's definitely respectable and is a respectful nod to Avril.
Good While It Lasted - Holy ***, this song blew me away. Unlike literally every song she's ever made; it's slower, its downtempo and it's pure emotion. This song is obviously about reminiscing on the good and bad of a failed relationship. The beginning starts off with a bit of guitar, there's no tough bitch act, it's not a rap and is more sing-song like. She's talking about how angry/upset the breakup made her and how immature she acted. In the pre-chorus and chorus she realizes that those actions were mistakes and everything they had was good and worth it. In the second verse she apologizes for her behavior. The song is honestly like the five stages of grief in one. She seems to finally accept everything by the end. Repeating "We were good while it lasted" and "I'm done" in the outro.
This would have been the great way to end the mixtape. But this is Ashnikko and there's one more song.
Clitoris! The Musical - According to her interview with Apple Music "Good While It Lasted" was too much of a serious note to end on. So, taken from her "Ash Wednesday 2020" video we have Clitoris! The Musical. And it's ***ing hilarious. I can't really critique it. It's not meant to be serious and it makes some good points. Also it's just her singing, so that's a plus. And really that's all there is to say.
Final Thoughts:
I had pretty high expectations for this mixtape. Ashnikko is one of my favorite solo artists and I've been waiting for this for a bit. Overall, my expectations were met. I never expect to completely be in love with every single song on an album. This is her best work so far and with it being her first mixtape after having only 2 EPs out - I definitely believe this is only her beginning. It’s not mediocre, has well written lyrics and production value, and is definitely a way to kick off 2021.
