Soccer Mommy's Evergreen: A haunting Intimate Exporation of Growth and Heartache

By: Krista Spies

Indie rock’s trademark sad girl Soccer Mommy released her fourth album, Evergreen, on October 25, just in time for those bleak autumn-into-winter nights—that isn’t to say that the songs are dreary. Rather, Sophie Allison’s voice comforts and provides a warmth that just feels missing at the same time.

Evergreen is apparently about grief, as Allison told Paste Magazine that her vulnerability comes, “In the wake of a profound and personal loss.” With the first single/track’s title being “Lost,” which ends with the lyrics, “Lost like the things I never said. If I had another chance, I’d tell her then,” the artist immediately sets the work up with that pouring of vulnerability and care.

The second-released single and second song is “M,” which could be an initial of the lost person. It also could stand for the melancholic feel carried throughout the tune that includes a flute outro, giving the piece even more of a fragility. Lyrical intimacy found in simple-yet-compelling lines, like “I feel you even though you’re gone,” brings the listener to what fans picked up from the beginning of Soccer Mommy’s Bandcamp career—calm realness.

The third track off of Evergreen, “Driver,” is surprising for two main reasons: the heavier, distortive sound and the love-song content. This sudden turn proves that Soccer Mommy didn’t write the work to fulfill a specific “vibe” or to appease what someone else wants. It seems to be that she performs from herself.

“Abigail,” track six, might also confuse the listener—in a positive sense—and give some rest from the otherwise grief-centered album. As shown in this song’s music video, Soccer Mommy woos the Stardew Valley video game character Abigail, which only adds to the exquisite fall feelings in Evergreen from the cozy, autumn-colored game clips.

Eleventh and final song off of this recent release is the title track. “Evergreen” strips down the entire album. Soccer Mommy’s contrasts continue in that it sounds sad, in the low guitar notes and vocal tone. However, the track actually ends the work with eerie hope. She sings, “And in the light of day, I’m haunted by it all. She cannot fade, she is so evergreen.”

Leaves and pine cones litter around Evergreen. For Soccer Mommy, it’s still a question right now if the cold will melt away or if the frigidity will continue. No matter what, what will come from the artist will be raw.