WEEDKILLER

Studio album

"***WEEDKILLER***" (stylized in all caps) is the debut album by American singer-songwriter and rapper Ashnikko. It was originally supposed to be released July 2nd, 2023, but it was re-scheduled for August 25th of the same year through Parlophone and Warner Records.

The album is currently supported by five singles; the lead single, "You Make Me Sick!", "Worms", "Weedkiller", "Possession of a Weapon" and "Cheerleader".

The genre of Ashnikko's album "WEEDKILLER" is a mix of different genres, including nu-metal, trap, industrial pop, trap-pop, electronic-pop, and alternative rap

## Background

The album follows the singer's 2021 debut mixtape *DEMIDEVIL*. Ashnikko then headlined her first tour to support the mixtape. "Panic Attacks in Paradise" and "Maggots" were released on September 29, 2021, as a double single. It was supposed to be the lead single from her debut album, but that project was eventually scrapped. The singer took a break from releasing music from that time.

On September 2, 2022, Casey shared a link to Goga Sekulić's song "Sexy biznismen" (2006), dubbing it "album inspiration". On February 8, 2023, she released her new single "You Make Me Sick!" as the new lead single. She announced the release date, album cover, track list and world tour on March 1, 2023.

## Theme

Ashnikko's debut album "WEEDKILLER" is a concept album that tells the story of a queer dystopian world that Ashnikko created. The album tackles real-world issues but does so largely in the realm of a fantasy world. The metaphorical weedkiller in the album represents everything from Ashnikko's "rapist" to her childhood "heartbreak". The album starts with the main protagonist of the album and its music videos, "Aster", setting out all the forces she's fighting against, and the title track "WEEDKILLER" defeats the weedkiller. The album has a pretty compelling narrative for a debut, and it weaves public and personal politics into an impressively captivating story.

## Concept

The concept behind the album is described in press materials as being "a commentary on environmental disaster and the rapid evolution of technology" that tells "the story of a fae civilization occupied and destroyed by machines that feed on organic matter where the faerie protagonist seeks revenge by becoming part machine."

## Singles

"You Make Me Sick!" replaced "Panic Attacks in Paradise" and "Maggots" as the lead singles from the album. The track was released as the new lead single on February 8th, 2023. A music video for the single was released on the same day.

"Worms" was released on March 2, 2023 as the album's second single. Its official music video was released on March 8.

A month later, Ashnikko unveiled the song "Weedkiller", the title track from the album, returning to the post-industrial sound of "You Make Me Sick". The accompanying music video, filmed in Belgrade, was postponed for a week following the Belgrade school shooting.

On May 24, 2023 "Possession of a Weapon" was released as the fourth track from the album.

After previewing the song through her social media, Ashnikko announced "Cheerleader" as the fifth single for July 28.

## Critical reception

*Weedkiller* received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, a website that aggregates reviews of music albums, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 89, based on 4 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".

Otis Robinson of *DIY* writes that "*Weedkiller* is a funneling of rage – a quest to rediscover autonomy and cement identity - but despite the darkness is ridiculously fun, too. It's a triumphant debut – one that changes the game like a live wire in water." Writing for *The Line of Best Fit*, Elliot Burr describes the album as "a definitive project encapsulating body autonomy, queer love, humour and fury", and calls Ashnikko "a vocal chameleon whose performance stands out amongst the rich production traversing decaying foliage, fizzling suns and AI leaders." Alex Rigotti of *NME* wrote that "the boundary-smashing artist's songs refract themes of hope and survival through a multitude of moods and genres" and adds that "*Weedkiller* expertly weaves public and personal politics into an impressively captivating narrative for a debut.

## Cut Songs

* "Maggots"
* "Panic Attacks in Paradise"

## Personnel

#### Musicians

* Ashnikko – lead vocals (1–13)
* Daniela Lalita – vocals (4), background vocals (12)
* Dylan Brady - guitar (3)
* Ethel Cain – vocals (13), guitar (13), piano (13)
* Micah Jasper - drums (6), synthesizer (6)
* Oscar Scheller – drums (6), synthesizer (12)
* Slinger – bass guitar (1–5, 7–8, 10–11, 13), guitar (1–3, 7, 9–11, 13), drums (1–5, 7–11), synthesizer (1–5, 7–11)

#### Technical

* Anthony Vilchis - engineering assistance, mixing assistance (3, 6)
* Chris Gehringer - masterer (1–3, 5–13)
* Frank Colucci - mixer (13)
* Manny Marroquin - mixer (3, 6)
* Matt Glasbey - engineer (13)
* Micah Jasper - engineer (6)
* Oscar Scheller – mixer, (8, 12), engineer (6, 8, 12)
* Slinger - mixer (1–2, 4–5, 7, 9–11) , engineer (1–5, 7–11, 13)
* Trey Station - engineering assistance, mixing assistance (3, 6)
* Zach Pereyra - engineering assistance, mixing assistance (3, 6)

## Release history

Release dates and formats for *Weedkiller*
CD • LP • cassette

## Merchandise

Box setGalaxy vinyl ILPStandard vinylStandard CDDigital albumCassette - Recycled CoralCassette - Recycled BlueBlack HoodieBlack TeeFaded Brown HoodieFaded Brown Long SleeveFaded Brown TeeCharmCharm Bracelet
## Trivia

* "Dying Star" is the longest track on the album while "Weedkiller" is the shortest.
* The whole album leaked July 2nd, 2023.
* The total length for "WEEDKILLER" is 33:05.
* This album only has one feature, that is being Ethel Cain on "Dying Star".
* The album's concept revolves around a civilization "occupied and destroyed by machines that feed on organic matter." Ashnikko, a fairy, "seeks revenge by becoming part-machine".
* The album's sound has been described as "ambitious sci-fi pop rap fairytale".
* The album has received positive reviews from critics, with some praising Ashnikko's vocal acrobatics and the album's ambitious sound.
* The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.