At a time of division in the world, Smith thinks their new album is “radical” because their contentment with Cowan can be seen as an act of resistance.
They said: “For me, there’s something radical about being queer in this time, in this world, and singing love songs.
“I’m not going to allow the poison that I read and that I see to affect my way of loving.”
The Stay with Me hitmaker has relocated from Britain to New York and adores life in the Big Apple.
“Being in New York, I’m not the only freak on the street.
“I’m surrounded daily by people that are too much. And I mean too much as a compliment.”
Despite having dreamed of being a pop star since they were a child, Smith “struggles” with performing because singing is so “personal” to them.
“I really struggle. Singing for me is an incredibly personal thing. You don’t hear me singing unless I have to.”
But Smith has found the best way to ease stage fright is to think about the vast nature of the universe.
“How big the world is, how high the moon is. How small I am, and how small this room is that I’m performing in, even if it’s an arena. I look down on it from above and remind myself that this is okay, and I’m safe,” they said.
Smith recently admitted they are feeling “maternal” and “hungry” to have children.
Discussing new single Oh Mother, they told BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Sara Cox: “In this song, I was just trying to access my mum’s fury and protection that comes to save the day when a child gets hurt or heartbroken.
“As I’m getting older, I feel like I’m becoming more maternal, and more definitely hungry one day to have children myself and things like that.
“So it definitely felt like a maturing theme to step into for me, which was really great.”