SOAK

SOAK is 18-year-old Bridie Monds-Watson, and Before We Forgot How To Dream is her debut for Rough Trade. Named One To Watch for 2015 via the likes of iTunes, Spotify and the BBC Sound Poll, the album is a highly anticipated coming-of-age record in more ways than one.

Produced alongside Tommy Mclauglin from Villagers following a stint on CHVRCHES’ singles label, SOAK’s debut album is in part a vivid soundtrack to the rollercoaster of adolescence. There are those songs of lost innocence, with the Beach-House-influenced “B a nobody” depicting her brother’s crisis at the end of University and “Shuvels” (complete with the startling opening lyric, “I’ve got a ghost / And she’s haunting me”) also capturing this uncertainty of what comes next in life.

Ultimately, though, Before We Forgot How To Dream tackles those bigger struggles which become no clearer with age, and the compassion that arrives as a result: or as an aptly-tiled instrumental interlude puts it, ‘if everyone is someone – noone is everyone.” “Sea Creatures”, then, is a beautiful encouragement to a friend going through a hard time, whilst the tender but timeless “Blud” acts as a striking snapshot of a relationship in distress. It was actually written before SOAK’s parents separated – they also managed her whilst in full-time work for two years - after Bridie lay on the floor in an attempt to listen in on an argument. “Ultimately it’s saying that we’re a family who should stick together, even if we’re not.”

On its surface, Before We Forgot How To Dream may initially appear nostalgic – romantic, even - towards a more innocent time. But despite the tumultuous tone, which actually lingers beneath the record, there is still a persistently uplifting element to SOAK’s music. “People grow up and nobody believes in Magic anymore, or you’re told to lower your expectations and that certain behaviour isn’t appropriate. This album is definitely about that time when you believed a bit more in things.” You’d venture that belief will take SOAK further yet in her career, though ultimately her debut album seems to explore those joys and fears we take with us through life, from adolescence into adulthood – but simply get a little better at hiding.

RIYL: Cat Power, Daughter, Laura Marling, Karen O
TRY: #2, 3, 5

Download full album here:
https://www.piratepirate.com/downloads/

More Info Here:
http://www.soakmusic.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/Soak0fficial
https://twitter.com/soakofficial