PREMIERE | Sophie Swanson, 'Social Burnout'
Stairway sessions with Sophie Swanson; photographed by Abby Clare.
A hype record materializes in different ways. There’s the slow buildup that arrives in gradual drops, drips, strategic leaks and other anticipatory demand generation deliverables that adhere to a strict behind the scenes campaign calendar. Then there is the record and artist that arrives from left field and out of the blue. The record that encapsulates uninhibited observations, attitude, emotion, expressing universally relatable situations and big time sentimentality that can only properly and economically encapsulated in the pursuit of the perfect pop track. The contemporary art form that contains a privy view into the inner landscapes of love, loss, loathing and all the involved moods that make up the human experience of interpersonal exchanges and the rocky roads of relationships.
Songs of heartbreak. Songs of healing. Songs of sorrow. Songs of rage. Songs of release. Songs of radical empathy. Welcome to the big surprise breakout hit of the summer, as Sophie Swanson presents the wonder work of Social Burnout. The New Jersey artist captivatingly conveys the strange social awkwardness of breakups, the bliss and burden of friendships, the performative dances we dance, the acts we act and above all the importance of restorative solitude in the face of an overwhelming world. Swanson has made the ultimate record that artists for decades have been trying to materialize and/or perfect. Its the record that you always wanted from the Breeders post-Last Splash, if Avril Lavigne transformed “Sk8ter Boi” into a fully realized subgenre, the record that Olivia Rodrigo keeps trying to make, the best song cycle not ghostwritten by Linda Perry, the solo rock record from Gwen Stefani we never got, and ultimately the sassy and snazzy sound for summer 2024.
Sophie Swanson kicks off Social Burnout with a fiery punch that does away with the niceties of keeping up the appearances of pleasantries. "Your Taste in Music>You" is a hilarious and infectious opener that lampoons the lost relationship causes when the partner is lame but has a stellar vinyl & CD collection. The track burrows its way into your conscious with its anthemic overtones, keeping the main stage pop sound burning bright on the soul crushing tragic beauty of "Bored & Lonely" that stings in sublime ways with the languishing lyrical inquiry of can't you just adore me. "Old Bond" scratches at old and deep wounds with the saudade of an unsent letter to a former lover, as the wishful daydreaming atmospheres are populated by tempestuous skies on the heavy hearted anguish "Hope Boys Cry" that balances vulnerable exhibitions with an evocatively inspired arrangement. "Take Care" lends open arms and leads with an open heart of an endearing and everlasting desire of love, life, health and happiness.
Traversing through the curious corridors tunnel tributaries with Sophie Swanson; photographed by Abby Clare.
The title track "Social Burnout" brings down the house with unflinching and unapologetic honesty that carries a lot of the post-pandemic stress in hand with the overload of feeling isolated in crowds and even in the company of colleagues. Sophie concludes the record with "Doom" that mourns the temporal and fleeting nature of the romantic alliances that were never meant to be ,that goes out on an earth tremoring note with big sludgy and crunchy guitars that keeps the vibe serious while playing it cool all at the same time. Social Burnout is the record for anyone that has felt like the odd one out in their friend group, or in their school, or place of work. Its the record for all who lament their broken heart, but revel in the consolation prize of new musical taste acquisitions.
Sophie provided a few words on some of the sentiments behind the new EP:
Social Burnout is a collection of songs I wrote while going through a lot of change in my life. It reflects on all of the feelings I experienced during that time.
Sophie Swanson’s Social Burnout is out everywhere June 7.
Cover art for Sophie Swanson’s Social Burnout courtesy of Kyle Lusty.