Rest in peace, SOPHIE
I recently wrote this five-star review of SOPHIE’s 2018 album Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-insides over on Rate Your Music. I thought I’d share what I wrote with you here too.
I debated giving Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-insides a perfect score for the longest time. Honestly, I still don’t know if it’s a perfect album or not. There are definitely a handful of tracks on this project I listen to more than others. But still, I can’t stop thinking about how absolutely beautiful this album is.
I remember reading somewhere when SOPHIE passed away that her music existed in a world where no emotion is felt lightly, and that’s the best way I could ever possibly describe this album. Every track on this project is overflowing with empathy. Whether it’s her affirmation “Just know whatever hurts, it’s all mine” on It’s Okay to Cry or her plea “Who are you? Deep down? I wanna know” in Infatuation, SOPHIE’s music inspires a world where people know and understand each other on a complex, intimate level. A world where one’s passions, personality, and soul are not suppressed but celebrated, embraced, and loved. While listening to Oil, I’m often struck with an overwhelming sense of validity, almost like someone is looking at me and saying, “I know what you’re going through” and truly meaning it. Indeed, the album’s title, a phonetic misspelling of “I love every person’s insides,” is a manifestation of this idea.
On a technical level, Oil is a fucking marvel. Speaking about her career as a whole, SOPHIE’s production is so dynamic and distinctive. Despite having no producer tag or similar immediately recognizable motif among all the songs she produces, it’s impossible to listen to Charli XCX’s Trophy or Vince Staples’ Yeah Right and not instantly recognize SOPHIE’s artistic voice. Her influence on the music industry was exceedingly obvious in her lifetime and will only become more and more clear as the years go on. Oil itself can be seen as a magnum opus of her skill. From intense bangers like Ponyboy and Faceshopping to more subdued tracks like Is It Cold in the Water? and Pretending, SOPHIE’s stunning range is on full display.
On a personal level, I first listened to Oil in my sophomore year of high school, and it was the first album I really enjoyed that wasn’t hip hop. As a result, Oil introduced me not only to the then-fledging world of hyperpop, but also to the world of music outside of hip hop as a whole. Every time I listen to this album, I feel accepted and understood and loved.
I don’t know dude. It’s been almost two months now since her passing, and I just can’t stop thinking about her. At the end of the day, I just want to hear someone say “Just know whatever hurts, it’s all mine.” Isn’t that what we all want?
