Sophie Allison, aka Soccer Mommy, returns with ‘Evergreen’, an album she informed and inspired by loss with the goal of making ‘a snapshot of a moment’s feelings, to portray the sadness or beauty, survival or hope that bobs there’.
Breezy and gentle acoustic sadpop strums signal the start of album opener ‘Lost’, a song that finds Sophie already laying her feelings bare: ‘Lost in a way that doesn’t make sense’. This is followed by recent single ‘M’, already an alt-pop anthem about grief and everything it brings – even those beautiful, joyful memories: ‘I feel you even though you’re gone and I don’t mind talking to empty halls’. ‘Driver’ has a touch of Liz Phair-style flair in its opening amped-up riffs: ‘Where are we going now? My head’s always in the clouds’.
‘Some Sunny Day’ is a bit more refined and restrained with a dreamy aesthetic while ‘Abigail’ finds Sophie dipping into chamber pop as she delivers an ode to a loved one (her wife in the computer game, Stardew Valley): ‘Abigail, it isn’t fair. I’m drowning in your purple hair and all the pretty clothes you wear’. ‘Thinking of You’ has powerful and direct lyrics – ‘I lose myself in thought these days, I lose myself in every way’ – while ‘Dreaming of Falling’ has a touch of The National or Bright Eyes in its heart-on-sleeve indie-rock stylings.
‘Anchor’ is more electronic with shades of intense art pop, while the closing title track is controlled and dripping with fragile beauty. ‘Evergreen’ is an album that will stay fresh and poignant with every listen. Another winner from Soccer Mommy.