London-based hip-hop-influenced indie-pop up-and-comer SOFY has taken aim at former Chelsea and Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole in her recent banger “Ashley Cole Type Beat” from her upcoming mixtape “Chaos & Commotion” (Chess Club Records), set to release on October 27th. The single showcases SOFY’s ability to effortlessly blend genres and influences without detracting from the originality and singularity of her sound.

Following “supermarket” and “socks,” which will also be featured on “Chaos & Commotion,” “Ashley Cole Type Beat” takes a much rowdier approach compared to the more laid-back vibes of the two previous singles. However, she doesn’t lose any of that infectious festival-ready energy in her lyrics and delivery. In the verses, she opts for rapping rather than singing, dropping references to Tom Cruise, Elon Musk, and a more favourable nod to the legendary Mike Skinner, emphatically declaring, “Ruler of the streets, Mike Skinner,” in the second verse. I couldn’t help but think about how reminiscent, in a good way, the tune is to Lily Allen’s (whom also notoriously had an issue with Cole) “Knock ‘Em Out,” particularly in the way she elegantly transitions her delivery, shifting from the blunt cadence of her cheeky and punchy rapping in the verses to the grand and melodic singing in the festival-ready chorus. I can easily imagine myself at a festival, surrounded by a large group of friends all belting out the lyrics, “Coz I’m a reckless driver, Got no self-control / When you’re a semi-pro liar, Life’s an open goal.”

Already having achieved success in the industry, including having a song featured on FIFA 23 (which is always a positive sign for any up-and-coming artist in the UK) and being featured on BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop playlist for her debut single “Strawberry Milkshake” back in 2021, it’s reassuring to see that she’s not wasting any time in delivering a full project to her fans. Based on the content we’ve been fortunate enough to experience so far, it seems that SOFY’s rise in the music scene could be a relentless one, and I’m eager to witness and support every step of her journey.

“Why’d you be a saint when you can be a sinner?” Well, with the number of times I’ve returned to this incredible track, she’s starting to convince me that perhaps living on the wild side is the way to go. And if Ashley Cole hasn’t had the chance to hear this song yet, I sincerely hope that he eventually does.

SOFY is embarking on a UK tour, kicking off in Glasgow on the 28th of November, with stops in Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol, London, and Leicester along the way, and concluding in Manchester on the 10th of December.