SOMA - Slow

SOMA has become one of my newest obsessions. Her voice is melodic. It's angelic. And I adore it. In her latest single, she's seriously channeling some amazing pop/funk vibes and it's sublime. "Slow" is a break up song but it's one of the coolest break up songs ever. She's just got this attitude about her that makes even being broken up with easy. She worked with Tuomo Prättälä, the Finnish grand master of soul and funk and you can hear every little nuance he's been able to bring out not only in her performance but in the production of the track. I love how there are these little staccato sections against the smooth groove of the chorus and the bridge.



It's always incredibly refreshing to hear new voices in pop music and when you get the chance to hear international influences in performance because you get to hear how regional variations in production or subject matter is handled differently. With just two singles, SOMA has made me want to know so much more about her experience and her life. I think she's an incredibly powerful woman and she's got an incredible career ahead of her. The musical divide between Europe and America is so wide because while this track will be considered a pop tune in Sweden or the UK, it will more than likely be relegated to the club charts in America and I think that's doing a grave disservice to it. It deserves wide air play because it's more than just a simple club single. It's got a point of view and it matters.

SOMA is creating a catalog of music that will hopefully help her transcend those boundaries and she'll be able to bridge the gap in musical genres and she's doing it all on her own talent and her own merit. I said if after I reviewed "Don't Believe Them", she's going to do amazing things in this field and I can't wait to see where she goes next.

SOMA - Don't Believe Them

Easiest way to get me hooked on a track before I've ever listened to it? Have it produced in Sweden. I have a strong love affair with most all Swedish pop music and Finland transplant, SOMA is absolutely no different. I am in awe of her modern take on disco. The production on this song is fantastic. It's nostalgic and has so much that's rooted in the 80s but it's modern and it's current.

The chorus just slams. The way that the track rises up to support SOMA's vocals is brilliant. You are right along with her through the song but when the chorus comes around, it's just a whole new ballgame. I really enjoy how this song is about empowerment and she just stand up and says, I'm just done with all this bullshit. I'm tired of having to defend myself because that's not who I am. I'm a grown ass woman and your petty drama isn't going to even come close to touching me anymore. You are the person that I want to be with and you have to trust in me. Trust in the fact that you are the only one. If you can't do that, then I'm not going to beg you.

Music like this so often gets dismissed because it's "just pop" and that's not fair. This track has merit and worth and stands on it's own as a powerful piece of art. Take the emotion that SOMA is evoking here and find another medium that is as easily disseminated as music is. The means in which she's reaching people through this art is far reaching and will stand the test of time. Sure, there are people that will simply write this off but they'd be wrong to do so.

I look forward to hearing more from SOMA and will absolutely share her so we can continue on this journey together.