Soft Science are continuing to produce some of the most exciting music out of the US West Coast with their unique take on shoegaze/dream pop. Following close on the release of their brilliant double A side singles ‘Undone’ and ‘I Don’t Know Why I Love You’ reviewed by us last month, the band are releasing another double A side, and following the same pattern, one is an original and one a cover.
‘Sooner’ is a gorgeous pop masterpiece with its chiming guitars and floating, melodic vocals and harmonies. This is a slightly more muscular Soft Science with its distortion-tinted guitar riffs and arpeggiated keys bubbling beneath the surface. Singer Katie Haley says:
Sometimes lyrics are like therapy – Sooner is one of those songs. The lyrics for Sooner are an expression of how difficult it is to continue to push yourself in this crazy hectic world we live in. Sometimes, I feel like I lose myself in the barrage of daily news, the push and pull of work, and family obligations – it can all feel overwhelming to the point where I feel lost. Dealing with those feelings was the inspiration for this song.
Second single, ‘Paris’ is cover of Northern Picture Library’s 1994 track – a band and track which I am not familiar with. The song and its expression by Soft Science has all the hallmarks of My Bloody Valentine with its thickly textured layers and slightly wild guitars.
These tracks, and indeed Soft Science’s earlier releases, are evidence of a confident and assured band that is creating its own niche – aptly described as dream-gaze – that is mesmerising and enticing, creative and bold. The songs come off the greatly anticipated album ‘Maps’ due out on 4 May 2018, available through online services as well as the band’s Bandcamp site (where you can also get their current single and older materials).
Hailing from Sacramento, CA, Soft Science are:
Katie Haley
Matt Levine
Mason DeMusey
Ross Levine
Tony Cale
