Soft Science – Sand
Soft Science, a Northern California quintet, has released their fifth album, “Sand,” on Shelflife Records in North America and Spinout Nuggets in the UK. Katie Haley performs lead vocals and percussion, with brothers Matt and Ross Levine on guitars, Tony Cale on drums, Becky Cale on bass and backing vocals, and Hans Munz on electronics. The album’s 10 tracks mix dream pop, indie rock, and alternative rock with an atmospheric production approach, resulting in a pleasant and melodic sound that is often melancholic without being old-fashioned. The album opens with “Spinning,” which features beautiful guitars and a more complex structure surrounded by atmospheric production and ethereal vocals that sometimes remind The Cranberries. “Go” is more dynamic, with heavier guitars mixed with melodic vocals, while “Fade” moves into dreamy, Fleetwood Mac-inspired setting. Its lovely vocals and flowing composition make it seem like the ideal background for a long drive along the US West Coast. “Without” changes tempo, with electric bass and drums creating a funky groove and cymbals adding a soft, almost whispering sound. Here, Alternative rock guitars emphasise rhythm and movement over traditional melody. The title tune, “Sand,” combines lovely summertime melodies with indie rock and dream-pop elements, while “Everything” features intriguing guitar riffs. “Thread” features a 1990s-inspired sound with Suede-like elements, keeping the groove relatively soft and allowing the melody lines to stand out. “Understand” begins with slightly punkier guitar chords characteristic of The Buzzcocks, but played at a slower, more relaxed tempo. “Hope” returns to the album’s dream-pop roots, while “Sway” concludes with playful orchestration and a pleasantly relaxing mood. Lyrically, “Sand” is about relationships, mystery, distance, hope, and the effort needed to keep love alive. “Go” expresses the pain of attempting to rebuild a relationship after communication has broken down, but “Fade” focuses on escape, memories, and the desire to leave terrible truths behind. The title track uses sand as a metaphor for something weak and vulnerable, while “Everything” shows the paradox of staying in love as distance expands. Following songs become more hopeful, with “Hope” seeking light after darkness and “Sway” concluding the album on a passionately romantic tone. This expressive path complements the music extremely well, making “Sand” feel like a dreamy journey through uncertainty, heartbreak, and, finally, the potential of moving forward together.
photo by Chantel Elder
https://softscienceband.bandcamp.com
