Dying Star (feat. Ethel Cain)

Ashnikko's 'Dying Star (feat. Ethel Cain)' is a haunting exploration of vulnerability, struggle, and the search for solace. The song opens with vivid imagery of the ground catching the narrator softly, contrasting the harshness of their current reality with a yearning for something gentler. This sets the tone for a narrative that oscillates between moments of intense pain and fleeting comfort. The metaphor of being a 'fish in a bucket' thrashing about, with 'hooks in my mouth,' powerfully conveys a sense of entrapment and desperation, highlighting the narrator's struggle to break free from their circumstances.

The recurring theme of falling, both literally and metaphorically, underscores the narrator's ongoing battle with their inner demons and external challenges. The line 'Burnin' like a dying star' serves as a poignant metaphor for the narrator's dwindling energy and spirit, while 'invasive weeds rooted in my heart' symbolizes the deep-seated issues that continue to plague them. The journey described is arduous, marked by a 'crooked trajectory' and the constant threat of being 'pulled apart,' reflecting the tumultuous path the narrator has traversed.

Throughout the song, there is a recurring motif of seeking and finding temporary refuge in nature, depicted through the nurturing imagery of 'down feathers over rocks' and 'bathing in waterfalls.' These moments of respite, however, are fleeting, as the narrator continues to grapple with their existential plight. The song's conclusion, with the ground once again reaching out to catch the narrator, brings the narrative full circle, emphasizing the cyclical nature of their struggle and the persistent desire for something soft and comforting amidst the harshness of their reality.