Saving the heaviest and hardest-hitting tracks for the ‘Never Better’ EP release, Nicole Ash starts 2026 with an unexpected, screaming, rebellious anthem, “Alter Ego”. Right out of the gate, “Alter Ego” sets the tone for how frustrating a lifelong internal conflict can be delivering amplified energy. The highly relatable songwriting reveals a division between two worlds, where Nicole Ash often feels torn between “the creative, emotional, rebellious side of herself, and the more polished, business-driven version that shows up in professional spaces.”Nicole shares, “The song isn’t about being authentic, but rather about self-protection. I’ve learned to show different parts of myself in different rooms because not every space feels safe for all of me.”
The intensity of “Alter Ego” is infectious, carrying the listener through a darker, more intimate experience, with massive guitars, an angsty chorus, an unexpected screaming bridge, and gritty production. Lyrics like “be yourself, but not too much, ”reflect the pressure of being misunderstood and the instinct to hold back the pieces that matter the most.
“Alter Ego” explores a familiar push and pull between being a creator or artist, navigating dual identities while questioning if you’re ever fully understood.
The ‘Never Better’ EP comes to a close with “Better Off Alone.” Nicole Ash describes it as the most vulnerable song she’s released to date, writing it during a period of upheaval.
“Better Off Alone” touches on feelings of watching yourself slip away, feeling disconnected from what you love, and coming to terms with depression. Nicole recounts, “What usually connected me suddenly made me feel more distant from myself. This song became the moment I admitted I might be depressed...that maybe I really did feel better off alone.”
“Better Off Alone” suggests that not everything needs an immediate resolution. It’s an acceptance of where you are, even if there isn’t a clear path forward. The earlier releases from the ‘Never Better’ EP explored themes of love, confusion, anger, and longing, while the EP closes on the revelation of deeper, more internal struggles.
‘Never Better’ addresses the chaos and turmoil in between seasons of your life, as you grow, let go, and learn to honor every version of yourself, even the ones that feel unfinished.
***
Her influences of pop punk and alternative rock are evident in her music, particularly from artists such as Avril Lavigne, My Chemical Romance, Green Day, and Blink-182. Nicole is set to release her debut EP in 2025, a milestone in her journey, and hopes to inspire others with her mantra of relentlessly following her dreams.
