The duo Sole Soma released a new album, Off Of My Mind. The themes are love, heartbreak and contemplation.
The music is Electronica. The album has a dance club vibe with a fun 90s/2000s electric sound. It inspires dancing and clears the mind – a feeling of celebration. Each song has dynamic beats. The compositions are intricate; some have an Eiffel 65 Blue vibe.
Some songs have an incredible semi-fast beat. I Feel You has a wavy rhythm. The drums and Electronic beat blend nicely together. The piece Off Of My Mind parallels Evanescence’s My Immortal but with a more upbeat sound. Without You has fantastic, immersive music, which feels like a dance version of a meditation. I Just Wanna Be Me has a great Jazz, Electronic and Classical blend. The beat is bold and eclectic. It’s another immersive and meditative piece. Helpless reminds me of Christina Aguilera’s Genie in a Bottle. The tempo changes are gradual to reflect mood changes. The song I Tried to Scream has an intense rhythm, creating a sense of confusion.
Other songs have a dance-party vibe. The tune Your Face has a fun dance beat. It parallels Celine Dion’s singles I’m Alive, and That’s the Way It Is, but with an Electronic/Techno beat. The song gives out a romantic vibe. The rhythmic style reminds me of a person’s heartbeat when they’re in love. It also resembles Marie-Mai’s Sans Cri Ni Haine (no cry nor hate). I See You has an impressive blend of Electronic and Disco that gives the song a nostalgic feel. The transitional beat before the chorus parallels Psy’s 2012 single Gangnam Style. The Words You Say has a fun 70s-style rhythm. It reminds me of the Bee Gees’ Staying Alive and How Deep is Your Love – two singles. The tune Time Out initially parallels Macarena, then in the chorus, it’s similar to Rhythm of the Night, except with a slower beat.
The last two songs, Faded and I’m Tired, are instrumental. These pieces are a lovely way to conclude the album. Faded is a beautiful tune that reminds me of that “off the grid” feeling when going to a chalet or a new destination. The hopeful beat parallels Janet Jackson’s 1997 single Together Again. There’s a cheerful beat. I’m Tired is a fantastic piece with impressive tempo transformations, representing different life changes and shifts in mindset. It ends the album on a good note.
The music throughout the album is remarkable in blending electronic music with other genres, including disco and R&B.
Sole Soma’s voice is remarkable. She sings with heart and soul. She performs with two other artists, Amos Larkins II and Victoria Sandana. Amos Larkins II primarily performs Without You with Sole Soma and Sandana in the background. The blend of voices is harmonious.
The lyrics are simple, with a natural, effortless flow. Each song still tells a story. It’s impressive how the artists say very little but can mean so much – a little goes a long way.
Some of the tunes have words in repeat, focusing primarily on the music. It gives it a calming vibe. I Feel You is about living in the moment, forgetting the world around them. It’s a lovely message to focus on the love and block the negativity. The song Without You repeats the sentences “I can’t live without you” and “I can’t forget you…” that describes a profound love. Time Out is about focusing on oneself, practicing self-care and recharging one’s mind. The song I Just Wanna Be Me is the title repeated multiple times, giving a mantra vibe (or an affirmation). It honours the idea of being true to who you are.
There are a few romantic tunes. The song Your Face is a sweet story about love at first sight and how it inspires hope for the person to love again. I See You is another heartfelt piece about focusing on the significant other. The Words You Say tells a touching story about how a couple fell in love. The tune Off Of My Mind is poetic, describing a beautiful love story.
Other songs are about self-reflection/self-care. Helpless is heartfelt and vulnerable, describing life’s challenges, especially the emotional kind. It encourages people to focus on oneself.
The tune I Tried to Scream is expressive, soulful and vulnerable. It covers life’s challenges, and it describes exhaustion and disappointment.
The lyrics have a bold simplicity. Using fewer words creates a lovely ambience for dance or, at times, contemplation.
The album Off Of My Mind is available.
