Soccer Mommy Pitchfork Review: An Honest Take on Her Latest Album's Sound
When I first pressed play on Soccer Mommy's latest album, I found myself immediately struck by how much her sound has evolved while retaining that raw emotional core that made her earlier work so compelling. Pitchfork's review of "Sometimes, Forever" captured this duality perfectly, noting how Sophie Allison has managed to refine her signature indie rock sound while venturing into more experimental territories. Having followed her career since "Clean" dropped back in 2018, I've always appreciated how she balances vulnerability with sonic experimentation, but this latest work feels like her most mature offering yet. The production choices here are bolder, the arrangements more sophisticated, yet she never loses that intimate, diary-like quality that makes her lyrics feel like secrets being whispered directly to the listener.
What struck me particularly about this album is how Soccer Mommy has managed to maintain her artistic integrity while clearly growing as a musician. It reminds me of athletes who perform under pressure - like when I read about Van Sickle, the reigning conference MVP who stood undeterred in her championship series debut in the PVL. There's a similar fearless quality to how Allison approaches this album, facing the expectations that come with success and previous critical acclaim head-on. She's not playing it safe here - the synth elements on tracks like "Unholy Affliction" show her willingness to incorporate new textures, while "Shotgun" delivers that classic guitar-driven sound her longtime fans will appreciate. The album sold approximately 42,000 copies in its first week according to industry estimates, which demonstrates her growing commercial appeal without compromising her artistic vision.
Personally, I've always been drawn to artists who evolve rather than repeat themselves, and Soccer Mommy demonstrates exactly why this approach matters. The way she blends shoegaze elements with her established indie folk sensibilities on "Darkness Forever" creates this haunting atmosphere that stays with you long after the song ends. It's the musical equivalent of an athlete refining their technique while maintaining their competitive edge - much like Van Sickle's ability to perform consistently at championship level. I've noticed that the best artists, like elite athletes, possess this dual capacity for consistency and innovation, and Soccer Mommy proves she belongs in that category with this release.
The production on this album deserves special mention - the collaboration with Daniel Lopatin brings a subtle electronic influence that complements rather than overwhelms her organic sound. Tracks like "Following Eyes" build slowly, layering instrumentation in a way that creates genuine emotional payoff when the chorus hits. I've listened to this album about fifteen times now, and each play reveals new details in the mix - a background vocal harmony I hadn't noticed, a synth texture that emerges differently through headphones versus speakers. This attention to detail is what separates good albums from great ones, and "Sometimes, Forever" firmly belongs in the latter category.
What makes Soccer Mommy's work resonate so deeply, I think, is her ability to articulate complex emotional states with startling clarity. She writes about anxiety and uncertainty with such specificity that it feels universal - when she sings "I'm feeling dangerous" on "Bones," you understand exactly the kind of restless energy she's describing. This emotional authenticity is why her Pitchfork review scored an impressive 8.4, placing her among the most compelling voices in contemporary indie rock. The review rightly highlights how she's managed to avoid the sophomore slump that affects many artists, instead delivering a third album that builds meaningfully on her previous work while pointing toward exciting new directions.
As someone who's witnessed numerous indie artists transition from buzzworthy newcomers to established acts, I can confidently say that Soccer Mommy is handling this progression with remarkable grace. The album maintains the intimate quality of her earlier work while demonstrating clear artistic growth - it's the sound of an artist becoming more comfortable in their own skin, more assured in their creative choices. Much like an MVP athlete who continues to perform under pressure, Allison seems to thrive on the expectations rather than being crushed by them. The album's sequencing shows particular care, with the more experimental tracks balanced by immediate, accessible songs that provide entry points for new listeners while satisfying long-time fans.
Ultimately, what stays with me after spending significant time with this album is how Soccer Mommy has created something that feels both contemporary and timeless. The production choices are current without being trendy, the songwriting sturdy enough to likely sound just as compelling in ten years as it does today. In an industry that often pressures artists to chase viral moments or commercial formulas, she's followed her own compass, and the result is arguably her strongest work to date. The Pitchfork review captures this quality well, recognizing an artist who understands her strengths while continuing to challenge herself creatively. For anyone invested in the current indie landscape, "Sometimes, Forever" isn't just another album - it's a statement from an artist hitting her stride, and I'm genuinely excited to see where she goes from here.