Ashnikko – ‘Smoochies’ Review: Eavesdrop on the Wildest Club Conversations

Six years after her viral hit, Ashnikko’s ‘Smoochies’ album pulses with raw, unapologetic energy and boundary-pushing beats.

A Bold Return to the Spotlight with Unfiltered Vibes

If you’ve ever found yourself accidentally eavesdropping on the most scandalous chat in a buzzing restaurant, then Ashnikko’s latest album Smoochies will feel just like that—an electrifying, intimate peek into the wildest, most shocking conversations imaginable. Six years since she stormed onto the scene with the TikTok-fueled breakup anthem Stupid, Ashnikko has sharpened her claws and cranked up the fun. She's fiercer, funnier, and frankly, more deliciously outrageous than ever.

Born Ashton Casey, Ashnikko identifies as genderqueer and pansexual, embracing both she/her and they/them pronouns. She’s always been unfiltered, a rare blend of playfulness and razor-sharp honesty. But Smoochies feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the dense, fantastical universe of her 2023 debut WEEDKILLER. Where that album felt like navigating a post-apocalyptic fae world, Smoochies is more like crashing a dinner table conversation with your most brutally honest friends—where nothing is off-limits and the most graphic, jaw-dropping stories are spit out with glee.

Ashnikko unleashes raw, sexual energy with fearless lyrics on ‘Full Frontal’

From Raucous Club Anthems to Unapologetic Lyrics

Right from the delirious club banger Full Frontal, where Ashnikko sings about wanting to “sit on the DJ’s face and feel the beat through my puss,” the album sets a tone that is unapologetically sexual and wildly fun. Rarely has the dancefloor’s erotic pulse been celebrated with such visceral gusto.

The tracks keep rolling with bold declarations and cheeky wordplay. On Trinket Girl, Ashnikko raps about treating a man “like a trinket,” flipping traditional power dynamics with gleeful mischief. Then there’s Wet Like, where she proudly claims the role of a “high fem dom looking for a sub,” channeling a kink-positive vibe that’s as empowering as it is catchy.

And if you’re wondering just how far the playful audacity goes, the track Chichinya drops a hilarious brag about her dog being a “scrotum crusher.” This song also throws in a nod to the cult ’80s pop duo Strawberry Switchblade, a surprising yet charming shoutout from an artist who usually vibes with Y2K aesthetics.

When the mood softens on Smoochie Girl, a hyperpop explosion of new love, Ashnikko peppers sweetness with just enough salt: “Is this too much? I wanna take out my IUD.” It’s moments like these that paint her as both cheeky and real, never shying away from mixing emotional vulnerability with blunt candor.

Ashnikko’s ‘Smoochie Girl’ music video captures the hyperpop energy and playful romance.

An Eclectic Soundscape: From Industrial Pop to K-Pop Flavors

Sonically, Smoochies is a gritty yet catchy industrial-pop attack that never feels sterile. Producers Slinger and Oscar Scheller help Ashnikko blend an adventurous mix of K-pop, country twangs, and early 2000s R&B into the album’s sonic stew, giving each track a distinct flavor without losing the cohesive, punchy energy.

At times, you might catch echoes of Gwen Stefani’s edgy charm, especially on Microplastics, where Ashnikko’s sass and swagger channel that underworld pop queen vibe. The influence of legendary production duo The Neptunes pops up, particularly on the shuffling Sticky Fingers, though some might find it a tad too familiar. But even on the more subdued tracks, Ashnikko’s lyrics keep you hooked—like the deadpan yet tantalizing line on Lip Smacker: “Flick the bean – English breakfast.”

Vulnerability Meets Defiance in the Album’s Final Track

The album winds down with It Girl, its most introspective moment. Here, Ashnikko explores shedding the persona she shows the world, wrestling with the male gaze and the persona she projects. Singing over an acid-tinged country shuffle, she admits, “I wanna kill the it girl in me.” It’s a rare glimpse of vulnerability and maybe a hint at a new artistic direction—someone less firebrand, more reflective.

But for now, Ashnikko remains an unstoppable force, ready to own her truth with equal parts confidence and chaos. Smoochies is a wild ride of shock, sass, and sexiness—a soundtrack for anyone who’s ever wanted to eavesdrop on the most outrageous, hilarious conversations.

Album Details

The cover art for Ashnikko’s bold second album ‘Smoochies’

• Record label: Parlophone
• Release date: October 17, 2025

FAQ

• What genres does Ashnikko explore on ‘Smoochies’?
  The album blends industrial pop with elements of K-pop, country, early 2000s R&B, and hyperpop.
• How does ‘Smoochies’ compare to Ashnikko’s debut album?
  While WEEDKILLER was a fantastical, dystopian concept, Smoochies is more straightforward, like candid conversations with friends, featuring more accessible yet still edgy sounds.
• What themes are present in the lyrics of ‘Smoochies’?
  Themes include sexual liberation, power dynamics, playful audacity, and moments of vulnerability.
• Who produced Ashnikko’s ‘Smoochies’ album?
  The album was produced by Ashnikko’s frequent collaborators Slinger and Oscar Scheller.
• When was ‘Smoochies’ released?
  The album dropped on October 17, 2025.

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