Mixtape Review: Sofy - 'Chaos & Commotion'
One of alternative pop’s brand new voices, SOFY continues to impress with her new nine track mixtape ‘Chaos & Commotion’. On it appear previously released singles ‘socks’ and ‘Supermarket’, and some brand new sounds that cement her role in the modern musical landscape.
The mixtape is a testament to the tumultuous journey SOFY has navigated over the past year and a half. On her latest body of work, she takes on a compelling ride that spans across soundspheres and seasons and brings a light-hearted sound to the scene. ‘Chaos & Commotion’ does what it says on the tin and brings a chaotic and emotional journey that is beautifully portrayed in its songs. Reflecting on these songs, SOFY describes it as a time capsule, “Each song expresses a different part of me and the rollercoaster period of time that this record represents; falling in love one moment and out of love the next, going from feeling like I’m on top of the world to feeling like the world is moving without me, frustration and hope and anger and humour.”
We hear her thumping alt pop sound and soft spoken vocals on ‘Ashley Cole Type Beat’, which is an uplifting at any time of day type track, ‘socks’ is a stunningly subtle pop song with a warm and autumnal intro that is driven by her warm singing voice and a memorable beat. She tells her stories in a most personal and open way and brings a refreshingly light-hearted sound to the charts. An anthemic song follows in ‘Timothée Chalamet’, which is a soft and eclectic indie pop sound with her shining vocals in its midst. ‘Breathing Exercises’ steers away from the commercial pop and turns hazy, a soft and dreamy sound with a wandering soundscape make for a welcome breather after a pair of rather frantic songs. ‘No Drama’ and ‘WET PAINT’ show her no-bullshit attitude best and bring this unhurried yet eclectic and uplifting sound that is quite refreshing and almost summer-y! We hear elements of brass and musical spoken words that make SOFY’s sound stand out from the rest.
‘He’s Not You’ is a passionate and telling sound about love lost and it doesn’t just tell a relatable story, it’s a sound easy to sway along to making this one of our favourites of the mixtape thanks to its simplicity. SOFY’s sound, and world, doesn’t need any frills and she shows that off on ‘Chaos & Commotion’. ‘Supermarket’ starts off with the soft scratching sound of a needle landing on vinyl, and it is the last element we needed for confirmation that SOFY is naturally cool. It is hard to pick a favourite from this eclectic yet well put together mixtape, what it is most importantly is very SOFY, she might have taken some inspiration from artists such as Courtney Barnett Julia Jacklin but hers is a more natural and uplifting one. ‘Chaos & Commotion’ is a combination of chaotic sounds and brainwaves and translates the world of SOFY into nine songs she’s created because she had no choice but to create. The release of the mixtape will be followed by a UK headline tour past Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, and her hometown of Leicester. She’s reserving a special place for her London fans, as she’ll be hosting an intimate three-night residency at London’s The Grace, providing an exciting teaser for what is due to transpire in London in 2024!
Words by Laura Rosierse
