REVIEW: Soccer Mommy - Evergreen

The brains behind Soccer Mommy, Sophie Allison, has always written about her life in a

particularly candid way that’s helped make her one of the most interesting and beloved artists in the indie rock scene over the last decade. Using her music as a way to explore her

feelings and understand the challenges faced with growing up, she has worked to develop

her sound from the demos she wrote in her bedroom to become an artist who’s confident

using new production styles to grow her sound and break the stereotypes around singer-songwriters. Never wanting to fit the mould, she has always tried new things on each album she’s done to date, making every single Soccer Mommy record unique.

Her upcoming fourth album ‘Evergreen’, set for release on the 25th of October, marks a significant return to her roots while showcasing her evolution as an artist. Since her previous

album ‘Sometimes, Forever’ released in 2022, Allison has experienced a profound and personal loss in her life. The songs on the new album have been written in a way that takes you on a journey of change and reflections during this period in a way that is both emotionally raw and endearingly funny. Keeping true to herself, the songwriting leads the

songs over the whole course of the record.

The first track on the album, ‘Lost’, features a delicate, dreamy soundscape, characterised by lush instrumentation and a soothing melody that contrasts with its introspective lyrics. The song creates a sense of vulnerability, with Allison’s vocals conveying feelings of uncertainty and longing. The lines “Lost in a way that don’t make sense” and “Lost like the things I never said” capture the deeper emotions faced through the internal struggle of dealing with loss in her life. The mixture of acoustic guitars and subtle synths help create the aforementioned dreamlike atmosphere when listening, complimenting the theme of doubt and uncertainty. Despite the feelings of disconnection being produced throughout the song, there’s also the feeling of hope and potential for rediscovery.

This is focused on during ‘Driver’ a couple of tracks later, which goes into finding someone

who accepts you and is there to help you through your struggles. Even if you’re struggling to

keep focus or keep going, there’s someone there who can keep you on track, be patient with

you and the benefits of having someone there in your life. There is a tonal shift in the middle

of the album, when Sophie sings an upbeat song called ‘Abigail’ about her in-game wife in Stardew Valley. Placed where it is in the middle of the album, it helps create an air of light-heartedness amongst numerous less happy emotions. It helps with the listening experience of the album to have a break from so much isolation with a fun, easy-going song.

‘Dreaming Of Falling’ shows a real insight into how Allison was feeling during the time of

writing. The song starts with strong vocals with minimal instrumentation, creating a strong sense of detachment in the stark intro. Allison sings about how she feels like she’s just existing, not fully living despite being there. It’s like she feels stuck in the middle, continuously falling, but never hitting anything, as well as losing her grasp on her memories and watching from an outside perspective as she changes. The lyrics are very powerful, especially when it starts to build up with sentences like “Slipping through my fingers ‘till they’re empty once again” and “Seeing the light is an awful trick when I keep going down”, that hold such heavy emotional implications for someone whose life feels like perpetual freefall.

The songs on ‘Evergreen’ highlight Soccer Mommy’s continued evolution as an artist. She

masterfully combines catchy melodies with introspective lyrics, creating a compelling

listening experience. Each song offers a unique perspective on personal experiences,

showcasing her growth while honouring the roots that first drew listeners to her music. As

anticipation builds for the full album release, it’s clear that ‘Evergreen’ promises to be a

significant addition to Soccer Mommy’s discography. The blend of personal storytelling,

catchy hooks, and rich production will likely resonate with both long-time fans and newcomers alike. With its exploration of complex emotions and relatable themes, ‘Evergreen’ is poised to solidify Soccer Mommy’s place in the indie music landscape even

further, and create a lasting impression on the listener.

'Evergreen' will be released on October 25th via Loma Vista Records/

Words: Con Macadam

Photo: Zhamak Fullad