By Kate Wiselogel, Contributor 

[Transgressive & Future Classic; 2024] 

Rating: 5/10 

Key Tracks: “Exhilarate,” “My Forever”  

On Jan. 30, 2021, the singer, songwriter and producer, SOPHIE died. SOPHIE’s death sent shockwaves through the music community, both because of the suddenness of her death and her influence on music. SOPHIE’s impact on music, specifically pop music, is hard to overstate, with many crediting her with the creation and popularization of hyperpop. As a solo artist, SOPHIE only released one full-length LP in her lifetime, titled OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES, alongside her breakout compilation record, PRODUCT. At the time of her death, SOPHIE was “nearly finished” with her self-titled sophomore album. Following Sophie’s death, her album was completed by her siblings and was released on Sept. 27, 2024.

SOPHIE is full of highs and lows. There are clear moments of inspiration and ambition throughout the album. It is obvious that while making these songs, SOPHIE was still at the top of her game production-wise. Songs such as “RAWWWWWW,” “Elegance” and “Gallop” all contain the intense hyperpop production that has come to be expected of SOPHIE. However, SOPHIE’s work here is far from a repeat of what she’s done in the past. The blistering techno of “Gallop” would fit right in on the score for the movie Challengers and Jozzy’s rapping on “RAWWWWWW” serves as an apt reminder that SOPHIE was as talented at producing songs outside of the genre of pop as she was in it.

One interesting aspect of the album is that SOPHIE’s vocals are never used, an effect that makes this album feel more like a showcase of her collaborative abilities than of her skills as a solo artist. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as so much of SOPHIE’s talent lies in her collaborative abilities. It doesn’t feel out of place for her final album to focus on collaboration, as that fueled so much of her career and legacy. 

The low points of SOPHIE mostly lie in the fact that many of its songs are just fine. Songs such as “Reason Why” and “Live In My Truth” are fun, dance-friendly pop songs, but they lack the ambition and experimentation that SOPHIE is known for. However, “Live In My Truth” is an especially fun song and it definitely will be making its way onto everyone’s Pride playlists this summer.  

Read more: Album Review: Mickey Darling – Let’s Dance Until We Get Scared 

SOPHIE really shines in its more poignant moments. “Always and Forever” and “My Forever” are perhaps the best tracks on the album, with their emphasis on love transcending the limitations of time. On “Always and Forever,” Diamond sings: “as the years go by, you’ll still be by my side.” This idea is then carried over into “My Forever” which contains the lyrics: “…in a dream / I can almost feel you again next to me, beautiful.” While these songs may not have originally been intended as tributes, hearing them in the context of SOPHIE’s collaborators singing them on her last ever release is very moving. It feels like a proper celebration of SOPHIE’s legacy as both an artist and a person.  

SOPHIE’s impact on pop music is undeniable, so it is disappointing to see her last release be underwhelming and somewhat disjointed. SOPHIE isn’t without its bright spots and moments of inspiration, but it is hardly as well put together compared to SOPHIE’s other work. However, nothing can erase SOPHIE’s impact. 

In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, SOPHIE famously argued that “all pop music should be about who can make the loudest, brightest thing… who can use current technology, current images and people, to make the brightest, most engaging thing.” While this album might not live up to the full potential of that philosophy, it is clear that SOPHIE’s music will continue to inspire and shape the landscape of pop music for a long time.