We’re joined by Ashnikko IRL for the first time ever — prior to this it was a pandemic zoom — and she’s a trip, a delight. Decked out in all her finery, the 29-year-old discusses her latest album Smoochies, easily her best work to date. It’s smart, sassy, sexy, give no-f**ks pop, full of wild wordplay, vivid imagery, and hooks to high heaven. But for all its in your face-ness, Ashnikko’s the absolute master of sneaking vulnerability and realness into her party-pop juggernauts. We talk about all this, the connection to her last record DEMIDEVIL, how the body keeps the score, breakups and heartbreak hedonism, power dynamics within her own heterosexual and queer relationships, the moreish aspect of success, and the connection between her music and her carefully constructed visual aesthetic. We also discuss reclaiming sexual depravity from the patriarchy (obviously), the vibes of trinkets and junk, the birth of Ashnikko, f**k-me outfits, sword-making, how she sleeps with her eyes open, killing off a validation system that isn’t helpful (YES!), and so much more. You don’t want to miss this one. Or this album! Smoochies slaps. Stream "Smoochies" ►►https://ashnikko.lnk.to/smoochies SUBSCRIBE to Our Podcast ►►https://tinyurl.com/48yfe4v5 SUBSCRIBE to YT ►►https://tinyurl.com/5n8km55u See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.