Ashley Kutcher wants you to ‘Play Responsibly’ with your heart and the EP

Recommended Tracks: “I’m Just Joking!”, “Take The Blame,” “Plead”
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The idea of “the house always wins” struck a chord with country-pop star Ashley Kutcher. In an interview with Melodic Mag, she shared that she hopes fans will listen to her upcoming EP, Play Responsibly, from start to finish. Released on Oct. 18, the EP comes with a playful warning to “play responsibly.” But Kutcher’s message has a double meaning: it’s about being mindful with your heart and in life. She emphasizes that you should know who you’re up against but never sit out of the game — just know how to play it.

At 26 years old, Kutcher has become known for tugging at heartstrings with her emotionally charged country-pop explosion, especially after releasing her debut album, House On The Water, which came out on Jan. 26, 2024. Her latest EP, Play Responsibly, explores even deeper country influences, bringing a raw and relatable touch to her sound.

Earlier this year, Kutcher stepped away from Darkroom Recordings to become an independent artist. This decision has allowed her to explore her music on her own terms, leaving a lasting impression on listeners as she takes a leap of faith to “play responsibly” on her latest EP. It’s not just about listening to the music carefully but also about navigating life and love with mindfulness and courage. As a result, Kutcher learns to play the game without losing herself.

“In life, I didn’t take precautions. I fell into kind of believing people and trusting people, and while that’s good, sometimes to trust people, you really do have to look out for yourself,” she said. “So, [this EP] is like a subtle reminder to look out for yourself and know who you’re up against.”

The EP opens with “I’m Just Joking!”, a playful and lighthearted track that captures the vibe of a fun, flirty interaction at a bar. The song plays with the idea of jokingly imagining a future with someone after a casual encounter, poking fun at how quickly things can escalate humorously. Each chorus is written differently, adding a spontaneous and dynamic feel to the track.

On her most recent EP, Kutcher embraces her sound more fully, a process that began while she was still exploring her musical identity. She has since leaned into “writing country-tinged songs.”

“I’ve basically created songs that feel the most ‘me’ of anything I’ve done, and that’s why I felt I needed to release them independently,” she said. “It felt like the work I’m most proud of, and this next era was so important to me that I just wanted to move on.”

Kutcher leans more toward country influences on her EP, while still including three poignant ballads, one of which is “How Do I Love You?,” co-written with the same collaborators behind her songs “Plead” and “How’s the Weather?”. This ballad offers an interesting take on the fear of heartbreak and the anticipation of it. Its introspective lyrics capture Kutcher’s vulnerability when navigating her emotions.

“I was self-deprecating so much, which I think was affecting the relationship. Now everything is great, but the question was, ‘How do I love you?’ I’d never seen a good, healthy love,” Kutcher explained, noting that she wrote the album after being out of a two-year phase and stepping into a new, healthier relationship. “That’s what ‘How Do I Love You?’ is about — undoing those predispositions and learning that it’s okay to be in a good, stable relationship.”

The EP progresses from playful and flirty to reflective and ultimately a lesson. On the track, “Plead,” she says, “Don’t come back when you realize there’s nothing better.” She notes, “A lot of these songs aren’t about a breakup with a guy but about relationships with people in my life. I take those concepts and turn them into breakup songs because that just feels like what I got to do.”

A warning is a lesson in itself. But one should proceed with caution when navigating themes of the heart. Kutcher lists the potential side effects of listening to the EP in an Instagram post: “Symptoms have been reported as the following: uncontrollable crying, hysterical laughter, heart palpitations and scheduling a 2 a.m. emergency visit with their therapist.” With a wink, she reminds us to listen mindfully and, of course, “play responsibly.”