Minneapolis-based musician Mother Soki has dropped her latest creation “Mussel,” a gritty, shoegaze concoction that feels like swimming during a rainstorm at the public pool after dark, petrichor and wet cement with an edge of chlorine. If you think you saw a flash of shimmering mermaid scales in the pool, you probably did. Water drops and resounding synths lure you deeper into the cavernous sound of this track. Are you finding your way out, or diving further in? The echoed lyrics “Nothing’s ever gonna change” and “How do I get back?” capture the feeling of confined and confused restlessness, where searching only brings you back to the beginning.
“Mussel” is the last single released ahead of Mother Soki’s upcoming EP Act 2, slated for release on November 20, where it will join her equally haunting singles “Thicken” and “The Rot.” Mother Soki’s sound is inspired by dreamy synth pop and ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia reimagined through her unique production style; the result feels like a waking dream. Fans of Sofia Isella, Mk.gee, and Ethel Cain will be drawn to Mother Soki’s signature immersive, hazy sound and raw lyricism. Heavy, reverberating guitar riffs and synths are layered under ethereal vocals to create a siren song that slips through your fingers as soon as you try to tighten your grip.
Although Mother Soki has yet to release a full LP, she’s already crafted a visceral, mesmerizing world that is hypnotizing audiences; her breakout track from last year, “Rivet Gun,” has garnered over 28 million streams. Mother Soki is currently on tour in the US—if you get the chance, experience her otherworldly performance for yourself.
