NEW SINGLE RELEASE – ‘Hard to Love’ Becky Sikasa
10 November 2023
Debut projects, whether in music, film, television, books, and so forth, often leave the audience wanting more. This is usually due to the quality and content of the project, and it’s not a devastating or detrimental experience for an artist. However, SOFY’s debut mixtape, ‘Chaos and Commotion’ (Chess Club Records), manages to surpass these early-stage challenges and delivers one of the most impressive and exhilarating debuts I’ve encountered from a UK artist in a long time. She seamlessly blends indie, hip-hop, pop, and noise, making it seem as though she’s a seasoned veteran in the industry, although I’m certain she will become one in due time.
Clocking in at a pleasant, albeit all too fleeting, 29 minutes, the 9 tracks on ‘Chaos & Commotion’ confidently showcase a unique and stylish approach to pop music that I wasn’t aware I needed until now. It’s quintessentially British and unapologetically so.
The album kicks off with a rather raucous track, ‘Yoyo,’ in which SOFY passionately expresses her feelings of being toyed with. Her vocals are modulated, giving them a 90s Lo-Fi rock record feel, reminiscent of Blur’s self-titled project. At times, it can be a challenge to discern her lyrics amid the wall of noise generated by the guitars, drums, and DJ spins.
Following ‘Yoyo,’ ‘Ashley Cole Type Beat,’ which I previously covered upon its release (you can read my coverage here: link), maintains the high energy but in a more polished and rapid style.
‘Socks’ slows down the tempo a bit, but it’s a welcomed change. It’s a heartfelt love song that fearlessly embraces the romanticized aspects of Britain. SOFY compares her life to a Richard Curtis movie, brimming with optimism, which is a breath of fresh air, especially in the midst of the challenging times we’re living in.
‘Timothée Chalamet’ is a steamy track that explores the passionate embrace of a lover. It features what I believe to be SOFY’s best performance on the album. By this point in the project, it becomes evident that her talent for writing hooks and choruses is undeniable. Each and every song on this project boasts hooks that have the potential to bring the house down when she embarks on her upcoming tour in the coming months.
‘Breathing Exercises’ is a poignant exploration of anxiety, with SOFY at her most observant, both for the better and worse for the artist. Sonically, this track falls somewhere between calm surf rock and upbeat chamber pop, creating an exceptionally well-balanced composition.
On the other hand, ‘No Drama’ takes a complete 180-degree turn from the previous song, with SOFY’s vocals gliding effortlessly over a sumptuous beat. If any traces of anxiety lingered from ‘Breathing Exercises,’ ‘No Drama’ eradicates them completely.
The influence of modernized rocksteady and ska takes center stage on ‘Wet Paint,’ a tale of admiration and temptation. It explores the notion of giving in to that glimmer of hope, even when you know it’s the wrong time and place—a pipe dream about love.
‘He’s Not You’ is an anthemic ballad that practically begs for an encore, with its intense build-up leading to a beautifully executed climax. The album concludes with ‘Supermarket,’ which wraps things up nicely, despite its moody and regretful content. What stands out most is SOFY’s ability to handle themes like heartbreak and loss in a way that doesn’t come across as cringeworthy, a pitfall that many artists in a similar vein often stumble into.
There’s really nothing to complain about here, except for the desire to hear more from this exciting new talent in a genre that’s already quite crowded. With her witty songwriting and keen ear for production choices, SOFY appears to be forging her unique path in the music world, and I’m eagerly following her every step of the way.
Chaos & Commotion will be released on 27th October via Chess Club Records