Welcome to the World of AHSHï
Meet AHSHï: the new 90’s dream pop it-girl. AHSHï released her third single of the year “(i like my) world small,” a catchy, hypnotic and immersive track breaking down the endless cycle of loss and grief.
Graphic by Haley Petrone (Crave Music Magazine)
A 22 year-old Asian-Canadian musician, AHSHï was recently interviewed by YouTuber Drunken Explorer. The Vancouver-native revealed that she first auditioned for YTV’s The Next Star, a talent search program, at just 9-years-old. Despite rejection from executives due to her age, AHSHï shifted gears to focus on guitar and vocal lessons. Fast-forward to 2023, the singer-songwriter began recording music under the name AHSHï and has been an unstoppable force ever since.
Her previous singles, “whiteTAbbbz” and “backseat driving,” encapsulate the complex feelings of growing up and falling in love. Both are very nostalgic, lyric-heavy and hypnotic, comparable to the likes of beabadoobee and Soccery Mommy. “(i like my) world small” showcases AHSHï’s knack for emotional storytelling, not shying away from her intrusive thoughts or experiences with death and trauma. The single examines her own existential dread and the fear of the unknown.
The track opens with an array of indecipherable voices layered over each other, mimicking the noises you hear in a crowded place. Once this softens, the strumming of guitars and the steady beat of the drums sets the tone for the verses.
“I like my world small and spinning slowly / So no one falls off, grab something tightly / I want it in my hands,” AHSHï sings in the first verse, painting a very vivid picture of AHSHï’s own anxiety about the passage of time. Ideally, she would like to keep her loved ones in a bubble, shielding them from harm. Despite keeping them close to her, she still finds herself losing control of this narrative.
“I’m not scared of dying, I’m scared you’ll die first /
They'll take me to prison, digging you up from the dirt,” AHSHï sings.
In the second verse, AHSHï addresses the topic of mourning and the lengths she would go to to save her loved ones. She finds herself willing to give up her own autonomy rather than lose the people closest to her. The lyrics in the chorus are more blunt and the instrumental is a bit grungier than the rest. AHSHï’s tone shifts from soft and delicate to powerful and sharp. The climax of the song soon follows with her vocal fry, perfectly encapsulating her frustration.
With this newest release, it is very clear that AHSHï does not shy away from being vulnerable with her audience. Writing about and embracing one’s fears, like death, is deeply cathartic and sets her apart from other young artists her age. “(i like my) world small” has proven not only that she is a gifted singer, but also a well-equipped songwriter.
Keep up with AHSHï and stream “(i like my) world small” now!
