As many continue to honor the beacon of creativity that was SOPHIE, her posthumous and self-titled album was released on Sept. 25. It has a runtime of just over 1 hour and features pop icon Kim Petras, and hyperpop darling Hannah Diamond.
Sophie Xeon, known mainly as SOPHIE, was a highly prolific producer and musician. She was a pioneer in her own right and became one of the few transgender women to earn a Grammy Award nomination. SOPHIE worked with a multitude of artists like Vince Staples, Charli xcx and Madonna. If the name still is not ringing a bell, one may recognize her tantalizing production in songs like “Vroom Vroom” by Charli xcx and “24HRS” by ITZY.
“Intro (The Full Horror)” is ominous and dark, as if preparing the listener for what is to come in the record. It is an ambient track with eerie swells that add mystery to the nature of the album. Booming bass welcomes the second track of the record and “RAWWWWWW (feat. Jozzy)” is in full swing. Autotuned adorned vocals and a simple instrumental are backed up with deep bass. As it ends, we are sucked into “Plunging Asymptote (Feat. Juliana Huxtable).” The song’s title is repeated throughout the track, sometimes being followed up with the added phrase “Against a white noise more tortuous than silence.” This track was first heard in 2018 for a pride event and was officially released later that year. Slowly but surely, the instrumental starts to shine and glimmer with SOPHIE’s signature textures. Pops, whizzes, buzzing lead synths and effects reminiscent of contorting metal are deliciously added as the song grows in intensity.
As the next track begins, “The Dome’s Protection (feat. Nina Kraviz)” wraps the listener in an ambient environment. It feels ethereal, like stepping onto a new planet. One can almost feel a new atmosphere as Nina Kraviz speaks, with words like “The future is discovered at the turn of each pathway,” taking the listener into a peaceful standstill, as if suspended in space. The track is almost 8 minutes long of pure serenity and is a true treat for any ambient music fan.
“Reason Why (feat. Kim Petras and BC Kingdom)” starts softly and swells to captivate the listener. This track was the first single to be released in the album rollout and is an instant pop smash. It is fun, catchy and cute. It will make anyone want to get up and dance with all their friends and might just soundtrack a future makeup routine. Immediately after, listeners are spoiled with the ever-glitzy “Live In My Truth (feat. BC Kingdom and LIZ)” and “Why Lies (feat. BC Kingdom and LIZ).” With lyrics like “I just want to party with my friends,” there is much pain in the world, but not in these tracks.
“Elegance (feat. Popstar)” demands to be heard with its pounding bassline, making anyone feel like they are in an underground rave. At this halfway point, as a listener, one may be thinking, “how is it possible that this record keeps getting better?”
As the album starts to wrap up, “Always and Forever (feat. Hannah Diamond)” tones down the high energy and embraces the listener in affectionate, heartfelt lyrics like, “forever and for always we’ll be shining together, and as the years go by you’ll still be by my side.” This track spent a few years in the making and is about Diamond and Xeon’s friendship.
Known for her innovative usage of experimental sounds and striking textures, SOPHIE continues to break down barriers in music, even posthumously. Whoever listens to this beautifully crafted record, regardless of fan status or music preference, is bound to find a new favorite song.
