Feral
Voracious, 2025
9/10
The indie-rock artist Nicole Sophia brings an emotional and powerful component to this debut album, and it’s full of plenty of timeless pop and rock ideas surrounded by forthright wordplay.
The scrappy “Too Young To Die” starts the listen with Sophia’s distinct voice alongside Zachary Wallace’s crunchy guitar amid a melodic and raw climate, and “Sweet Melancholy” follows with Kyle Dorny’s thumping drums that suit the sweet versus rugged rock.
“Dark Chocolate” occupies the middle spot and is acoustic guitar focused, as Sophia sings intimately with much caution, while “Sex On The Internet” has Sophia playing electric guitar and Jim Salvito’s contributes clavinet and horn programming to the rich delivery.
Moving closer to the end, the dreamy “If You’re Gonna Love Me” showcases Sophia’s more vulnerable side with a very heartfelt delivery, and “Everything’s Gonna Be Fine” exits with Perry Norton’s baritone guitar that adds much sophistication to the atmospheric and mature finish.
Although this is her first LP, Sophia has a lifetime of experience writing songs and her unfiltered, rowdy, gritty and authentic demeanor results in an effort that seems self-liberating and is quite inspirational.
Travels well with: Ida Mae- Thunder Above You; Candy Dulfer- We Never Stop