Alternative singer and songwriter Sofie debuts with a stellar freshman album, Cult Survivor, via Stones Throw Records. The 12-track album embraces a lo-fi and dream-pop aesthetic which is reminiscent of old, staticky VHS tapes from the early-2000s.
The Vienna-based musician uses Cult Survivor as an emotional tool to cope with her personal struggles. Classically trained from the age of four at the Vienna Conservatoire, Sofie left school to go between the cities of London, New York, and Los Angeles. Unfortunately, following the health complications of her mother and an abrupt breakup, Sofie was forced to move back to Vienna, leaving her musical community behind.
In this musical isolation, Sofie began writing her own songs, stating: “In Vienna, I was suddenly so secluded, no longer surrounded by the musical world I was so embedded in, that it forged the way for my creativity. I’m not sure this would have happened had I stayed in LA, I don’t know if I’d have had the courage, or not felt like it was superfluous.”
On songs like “99 Glimpses,” Sofie takes a retrospective look inward, singing lyrics like, “if then I knew/ would it have made a difference/ near death and other experiences/ I need your existence.”
Melancholic songs like “Asleep” and “Figueroa,” remain dreamy with their retro 80s synth instrumentation. “Truth of the Matter,” another standout track on the album, remains incredibly happy-sounding while expertly dealing with the subject of two people growing apart. The song’s chorus sums it up perfectly, “I looked different back then/ you didn’t wanna be my friend/ now you treat me differently/ yet I can’t forget the way that you used to be.”
Cult Survivor is an incredible debut album and a fascinatingly interesting introspective into the heart of an artist struggling against loss.
Listen to Cult Survivor below, and make sure to comment what you think of the album in the comments section below!
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