Stereo Beat Magazine

Pop punk and alternative rock solo artist Nicole Ash, and her debut EP, Never Better, was released to the world on February 13th. For fans of Avril Lavigne, Paramore and Green Day, the influence of them is strongly apparent in her music, making her an artist you want to add to your playlist.

Originally from New Jersey, she is now based in North Carolina and she started her musical journey as a songwriter and guitarist. She gained recognition through her band Wayne Avenue and her energetic guitar covers on social media and has now over 85,000 followers thanks to her alluring performances.

In 2022, she started singing with her solo project. She hopes to inspire others with her mantra of relentlessly following her dreams.

Her Debut EP Never Better, features a collection of powerful songs in her discography including 3 that have been released earlier in 2025. Stitch The Thread, Villain (In Your Eyes), and Seeing Signs.

2 brand new songs were introduced as the heaviest and hardest hitting tracks. “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.”

“Better Off Alone” ends the EP as the last song Nicole Ash describes it as the most vulnerable song she’s released to date, writing it during a period of upheaval. It 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. “It 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.”

Be sure to listen to the EP Never Better for yourself on Spotify and follow Nicole Ash on social media platforms Instagram, Spotify, TikTok and Youtube @GuitarByNicole