Soccer Mommy | Evergreen Review

by Bea Willis

Soccer Mommy, the project led by Sophie Allison, has always felt like an intimate diary set to music, offering listeners a glimpse into her uniquely melancholic perspective on life, love, and loss. Albums like Color Theory and Sometimes, Forever showed her grasp on creating an addictive, infectiously moody indie-rock soundscape. But her latest record, Evergreen, is perhaps the most expansive and ambitious in her discography, reflecting Allison’s continued artistic evolution.

True to its name, Evergreen is lush with resonant themes, addressing love, grief, and self-discovery. This album blends Allison’s knack for vulnerable, deeply personal lyrics with an evolved instrumental richness. It’s an organic step forward, a record that confidently explores different sonic terrains while staying rooted in Allison’s soul-baring style.

Evergreen opens with “Lost,” with its reflective lyrics, acoustic guitar, and flowing synths. The instrumentation creates a sense of being suspended in time, like an eternal golden-hour afternoon. The subtle string swells complement Allison’s hazy vocals, and the song develops to provide a cushion for the fragile vocal lines, blending poignantly with themes of longing.

From its opening lyric, “I feel you / Even though you’re gone,” Allison conveys a raw and visceral heartbreak, her voice barely hovering over a spectral backdrop. The gentle sway of acoustic guitar intertwines with soft strings, offering space for Allison’s grief to unfold. It’s Allison at her most vulnerable, sharing moments where she becomes, as she sings, “like a loyal dog / Waiting by the door.” The song’s intensity never feels melodramatic as it floats over a steady pop/rock feel. Allison’s honesty is palpable, and the weight of the melodic surprises adds the necessary uplift.

“Dreaming Of Falling” offers a similar musical setting while the lyrics explore the twilight zone between hope and despair. The song’s melancholy instrumentation features acoustic and electric guitar patterns and textured synths. There’s a universal quality to the lyric, “And I can feel the memory tainted / By the way I’ve changed,” highlighting how time complicates emotions. The song flows with Allison’s emotional intelligence bubbling from her lyrics as the 2000s indie vibe unfolds.

On the brighter side, “Abigail” brings an upbeat freshness to the album. It’s a love letter to Abigail, the purple-haired character from the beloved video game Stardew Valley, and Allison delivers this with such warmth in her vocal style that it’s impossible not to get swept up in the sentiment. Set above a bubbly dream-pop environment, it captures the charming feel of a romantic comedy, with melodies that sparkle and a chorus that shimmers in the sun. Allison can craft emotionally resonant moments that tap into cultural touchstones while staying personal.

“Driver” introduces a grungier atmosphere, evoking a sense of restlessness. The gritty guitar solo is a standout moment, sounding raw and slightly unhinged, juxtaposed against Allison’s bittersweet lyrics. The chorus comes through like an open highway at dusk, carrying an anthemic quality. Here, Allison’s vocal delivery channels a powerful vulnerability, driving home the idea of yearning for freedom while grappling with all that might hold you back.

“Salt In Wound” brings an atmosphere that channels 1990s college rock hues with hypnotizing jangly guitars and a deliberately rougher edge. Allison’s ability to draw influence from the past while crafting a song that feels fully present is on full display here—she wraps familiar sounds with a crisp, modern production that makes them feel reinvigorated.

Then, there is “Anchor,” which ventures into experimental territory with its electronica-infused sounds and energy. With industrial EDM echoes imbued with a sense of avant-garde experimentation, Allison paints an eerie, unsettling picture—a curveball that works wonders. This isn’t a typical Soccer Mommy track, but it’s one of the record’s most adventurous, standing out and challenging the listener due to its haunting soundscape and superbly layered production.

The closer, “Evergreen” delivers a fitting conclusion, encapsulating the overall spirit of the project. This song draws everything together, with Allison’s dreamy vocals soaring over ethereal instrumentation—it’s equal parts a farewell and an invitation to linger in the album’s comforting embrace. As a bookend to an album that deals so heavily with transient, fleeting emotions, it offers solace, a reminder that change can be beautiful.

The production across Evergreen showcases Ben H. Allen III’s delicate touch. Known for his work with Washed Out, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Deerhunter, Allen helps Soccer Mommy find the balance between orchestral embellishments and intimate bedroom pop sensibilities. The string arrangements, particularly on tracks like “Lost” and “M,” provide a lushness that contrasts Allison’s raw lyricism, creating an expansive and captivating sound.

Despite the presence of overarching themes, Evergreen explores change and emotional duality at its core. It’s an album that manages to sound both polished and vulnerable, grand in ambition yet strikingly intimate. Sophie Allison has always displayed an ability to articulate complex feelings with surprising clarity, but on Evergreen, she does so with an assurance that feels earned. The juxtaposition of genres—dreamy pop, grunge-tinged rock, lush orchestral passages—underlines the emotional complexities that Allison so often grapples with in her lyrics.

With Evergreen, Soccer Mommy delivers her most refined and ambitious album to date—a project that is as deeply personal as it is accessible. It’s music made to accompany the listener through seasons of change, as Allison’s confessions and sonic explorations plant themselves firmly in your memory, much like an evergreen—ever growing, ever alive.

5 Finger Review Rating!

Artist: Soccer Mommy
Album: Evergreen
Label: Loma Vista Recordings

Release Date: October, 25 2024

About the author

Bea Willis

Author

With an unwavering passion for music that began at the tender age of five, I embarked on a journey of self-expression through the piano, later expanding my repertoire to the guitar and the art of singing. As a seasoned performer in cozy coffee shops and harmonious choir ensembles, I've immersed myself in the diverse tapestry of musical genres, seeking to uncover the intricate qualities that strike a chord within our souls.

Beyond my personal experiences, my journalistic pursuits have led me to explore the stories and inspirations behind the melodies we hold dear. As a music journalist, I aim to delve into the heart of each composition, shedding light on the creative minds that have shaped the soundscape of our lives.

In my downtime, you can find me serenading my loyal canine companion with heartfelt tunes on the guitar or indulging in retail therapy to enhance my ever-growing wardrobe. Songwriting holds a special place in my heart, and I yearn for the day when I can share my creative talents with the world. Until then, my passion for uncovering the emotional power within music continues to drive my insightful reviews and analyses, as I journey through the rich landscape of melodies that move us.