Written by Ivona Homicianu
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF MIDNIGHT? With her new project ‘00:00’ (pronounced ‘Midnight’), Sophie and the Giants set the scene as a glittering night in the discotheque. Its refreshing disco-pop sound mixes romanticism and self-sabotage. With this EP, Sophie and the Giants doesn’t want you to forget about persisting issues, rather let them float around without interruption to the process of change. It is a comforting perspective on letting go of all expectations and reveling in the darkness of healing.
The opening track ‘Loser’ fills us with nostalgia from the synth-based melody. The self-sabotage anthem about learning to let love in is joyful and addicting, with the melody getting stuck in your head from the first listen. The beginning sets a grandiose dimension before taking the modern road with a fast beat. The lyrics are simple yet effective. ‘Loser’ becomes more about losing the game of isolation; rather than soaking in self-deprecation, it is surrendering to love.
‘A Little Bit Wild’ further develops this mindset. It tells the tale of returning to oneself after feeling lost, basking in the liminal space of healing. Although the 80s vibe is most prominent here, it is undeniable that the song also has a modern touch.This track makes you want to get up and dance. It’s an invigorating track that does what it says — “Until I feel alive again.”
Followed by ‘Red Light’, the artist continues in the thread of dance anthems. The particularity of this one is how much it resembles an European summer anthem, reminding us of the early 2000s and 2010s. It is impressive how Sophie and the Giants can get inspired by previous eras, yet bring such a refreshing aspect to her music. ‘Red Light’ is all about ephemeral love as it lives for the moment, using music as a feeling rather than a sensation.
The artist’s skill in balancing the old and the new is further proven with ‘Bad Friends’, an electronic track that enforces the momentum. Set at the end of the night, it’s about falling into the arms of a friend and abandoning a platonic relationship. The self-sabotage rings true in this light, but the lyrics are also validating the need for comfort in this transitional period.
‘Pink Champagne’ wraps the project with an euphoric bow. The decisions that have brought her here are met with acceptance as she sings “Now I’m midnight dreaming with my bad reputation.” ‘00:00’ opens the door for lenience and sends a message of kindness towards one’s self. The “think later” mentality has served its purpose: to bring us to a new chapter after going through the messy process of healing.
With ‘00:00’, Sophie and the Giants is on the way to becoming a prominent name in music. Her unique take on the disco 80s sound mixed with her innovative attitude sets her up for success. The songwriting is honest and fits with the nostalgic vibe — paired with her 2000s camcorder aesthetic, Sophie and the Giants has shown that she knows she’s doing.
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