Don’t be deceived by the fact that Anglo-French experimental artist Julia-Sophie has only been dropping music since 2020. In the wake of her debut solo album, forgive too slow, out via Ba Da Bing Records, the seasoned singer-songwriter has a long career behind her, whether it be opening up for Blondie as the lead singer of garage rock band Little Fish or scoring Netflix movies as part of electronic trio Candy Says.
However, with her solo project, fittingly under her real name, she’s willing to venture into revealing spaces that get as close as one could get to her personal life, looking at the past with wisdom gained after working in the industry for so long and motherhood. With forgive too slow, Sophie reexamines her relationships for all their complex inner workings, appropriately fusing genres like new wave, folk, and dream-pop to communicate how she has evolved as an artist and as a person.
Lead single “numb” starts with bass pulses attempting to crack through the surface, with Sophie alternating between simply speaking to the mic about becoming numb to hushed vocals full of desperation and longing. As time passes by, the production, most notably the synth beds in the second half, becomes more and more lively while Sophie narrates losing herself in long-lost memories. That sort of ability to communicate oneself through the style in which they sing and the choice of instrumental speaks to her experience.
On the other side of the emotional spectrum, “falling” captures the, at times, frightening realization that you’re falling in love with someone. Although similar in sound to “numb,” the feeling of losing oneself is traded in for deep-rooted sensuality, the likes of which could only be achieved by artists like Trent Reznor. And in true Nine Inch Nails fashion, the arpeggio simultaneously creeps up your spine yet induces a strange sense to dance out any apprehension.
It may be inaccurate to say Sophie is a new musician or one who lacks inexperience, but that doesn’t mean she brings out the same enthusiasm that follows up-and-coming artists. And despite having years of making music behind her, there’s still a sense that she has much more to experiment with and sonic palettes to explore in exciting ways.
“My journey with music has been weird and long,” she said. “I think people assumed that the music I made was exactly what I intended to make, when it’s always just been me trying to figure it out. Being a solo artist has allowed me to really find myself and show who I am in all my messy states.”
Words: David Sosa
forgive too slow by Julia-Sophie is out now on streaming services. For more on new music and potential shows, follow her on Instagram and Bandcamp.
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