Soccer Mommy - Clean

Soccer Mommy - Clean (2018)

Genre: Indie Rock, Lo-Fi

Soccer Mommy's first proper studio album is simple, but effective, with a great deal of intimacy in its teenage angst driven lyrics. This album is being reviewed per request. As a reminder, I do not intend for this to be a really in-depth and complex review. I'm just sharing my quick personal thoughts on the album. As for any album review I do, I try to be objective without letting any personal bias get too much in the way of the final grade. 

I understand the general appeal of the simple melodies and lo-fi aesthetic of indie albums like this one. While I can admit it's not necessarily my cup of tea, I can't help but feel attached to Sophie's expressive lyrics that deal with infatuation, popularity, and one's self-image. This is all typical teenage fair, but there's a certain charm with this young artist that feels very intimate, very personal. I'm not one to usually ponder on lyrical content in the music I listen to, so it's refreshing to find an album where I grew attached to them.

Musically, this is your easy-listening, down-to-earth kind of indie rock. Simple, but highly melodic melodies nicely compliment Sophie's personal lyrics, which are at times delivered with subtle, but powerful emotion, like in the "feminist anthem" track Your Dog. On the other end of the spectrum, she sounds just as honest in more self-loathing songs like Last Girl, which is my personal favorite, and in which I can't help but hear traces of Blur's Coffee and TV. The lo-fi aesthetic on this record gives it a warm, homey feel that fits right at home with the themes that are being presented, coming from the mind of a young woman of 20 years.

I won't get into any of the other tracks, because while they're all quite pleasant, not many really stood out above the rest. I would consider this to be one of those albums I'd enjoy better by listening to it as a whole, rather than picking out a few songs to add to a playlist. It's odd that I say that, as there's no grand storyline that this album strives to tell. Even so, I feel like all the tracks effectively compliment each other and flow together quite nicely. It's charming and it holds up well as a relatable outlet for teenage angst and hardships. I just wish it was a bit more musically ambitious.

B

Favorite Tracks: Cool, Your Dog, Last Girl, Scorpio Rising

Least Favorite Track: Blossom (Wasting All My Time)