Engaging in both intimate balladry (“Time Passes By”) and rousing rock successes (“Enough in Enough”), Love & Grief is a dynamic success of an album from Indiana-based artist Sophia Stephens. The 18-year-old singer/songwriter caught our ears last year with the four-track EP Remnantal, and now continues a tendency for heartrendingly melodic songwriting with this stellar album — thematically exploring the relationship between love and grief amidst life’s journey.
“Memories remain, both happiness and pain,” the vocals ruminate amidst on the heartfelt “Time Passes By,” contemplating how bonds can grow or minimize as time progresses. “I’m Still Here” follows with “what’s life without love?” questioning in similar balladry form; the passionate one-two punch is exemplary of Stephens’ emotively strong songwriting, while other tracks showcase a more vibrant pursuit in the rock and pop realms.
The album’s standout title track dazzles in its outpouring vocal emotion — capturing the album’s themes in its “love and grief,” refrain and beckoning for mutual understanding within a relationship. “I am hiding in the storm,” the lament continues, rousing in its pop-forward soaring. The aforementioned “Enough is Enough” further displays Stephens’ eclectic tonal range, succeeding with a peppy, lovably raucous rock-friendly production. Love & Grief is another enjoyable showcase in quality songwriting from Sophia Stephens, marking a continued expansion of Stephens’ sound.
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“Muscle Memory” and other tracks featured can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Indie Pop’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
