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Oct 28, 2024 Web Exclusive By Mark Moody

Sophie Allison’s latest studio album, Evergreen, focuses on themes of loss, memory, and regret. Working in a narrower, but lush, palette, songs are colored with swells of strings and flute that convey a dreamy feel and sentimental tug. In their own way, the opening two songs, “Lost” and “M,” wrestle with mourning. Snippets like “I’ve got her name,” and “I’ve got her picture in a frame,” which are gently propelled by an understated acoustic guitar riff, make “Lost” the album’s most direct rumination. “M” takes similar sentiments, but cranks things up a bit.

A couple of thematic outliers help to give Evergreen more than a touch of variety. The opening line of the rocked up “Driver” is a modern day twist on The Stooges’ “I’m a street walking cheetah with a heart full of napalm.” “I’m a five foot four engine waiting to move,” Allison tongue in cheek teases on her ode to aimlessly driving around town. Even more of a departure, the ’80s synth pop washes of “Abigail” recall some of Allison’s earliest work in a playful romancing of a video game character crush.

But primarily, Evergreen is a beautiful and reverential nod to those in her life that have moved on or are getting grayer. “Changes” specifically calls out Allison’s mother before channeling a kaleidoscope of memories. And though less focused on details, the mid-album beauty of “Thinking of You” makes for a shimmery summation of what Evergreen has on its mind. Each time out, Allison has worked with different producers (here Ben H. Allen III) to bring something new to the table. On Evergreen, Allison made a point to step back and reflect, with the heartfelt effort shining through. (www.soccermommyband.com)

Author rating: 7.5/10