‘A beguiling new singer songwriter reflects on the ups and downs of growing up – wistful, unsettling and mesmerising’ - Judging Panel
Young people is never tired from creating new things. They are fed up with something easily and always want to stand out to be different. So maybe the nature of being young is bound to bring wonders to the world.
In this passage and the following two, I intend to introduce three girl singers who I think are in possession of great talents and potential to be real stars.
SOAK
Better known as SOAK, Bridie Monds-Watson, is an Irish singer-songwriter born in Derry, Northern , in 1996. SOAK's music has been described as 'a vivid portrait of teenage deep-thinking' by The Guardian. She released her debut studio album Before We Forgot How to Dream in May 2015.
If you only look at her casual tomboy appearance, you may not take it seriously but if you really see the deep lyrics and her stunning ingenuity of composing songs, you must believe one day she’ll be a phenomenon.
And she really did it. With the Mercury Prize results announced on Friday 16 October, her album Before We Forgot How To Dream has been shortlisted in the ‘Albums of the Year’ in association with BBC Music . At the age of 19, SOAK has been nominated alongside 11 others including Irish artist Róisín Murphy, Florence And The Machine, Aphex Twin and former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes.
The first song that I listened to is Sea Creatures. The moment that I heard the melody, I couldn’t help to fall in love with it. Her voice and accent is also a little bit typically teenage.
Here are the lyrics:
Sea Creatures
The stars and moon Remind me of you I don't know what to say It might make you worse I don't understand What her problem is I think she's just a fish I know you get it bad You don't deserve this And I won't put up With their ignorance And they tell you They love you Well they don't mean it I don't think they know what they mean I don't think they know what love is Throw it around like it's worthless I don't think they know what love is I don't get this town Neither do you We should run away Just me and you Cause I don't get the people here They're curious They don't really care Sea creatures Interefere I wish they would disappear They don't know what love is Throw it around like it's worthless They don't know what love is I pray for you And you know I don't like Jesus Want you to get better Please, please get better For you, for me
Just like the lyrics show, SOAK expresses her own puzzlement regarding adult’s world. I guess everyone experiences the difficulty of comprehending parents’ way of dealing things. This song just vividly depicted the raw and experience of that feeling. Also, there is a beauty of simplicity in her composing style.
In an interview, she said, “Everyone thinks I’m depressed. But really I’m not,” laughs the singer. “The thing is that it’s a lot more difficult to write a sad song than a happy one. When someone positive happens to you, the tendency is not to write about it. Whereas with something bad, it’s rich material. You have lots you want to say. That’s where my music comes from.”
Maybe her age is the perfect time to look into souls and start all the conversation with the outside world. In her way, it’s music.
It’s really an intriguing album and I hope you’ll love it!
Her own website: http://www.soakmusic.co.uk/
Mercury Prize webpage: http://www.mercuryprize.com/aoty/track.php?TrackID=312
