French performer Sopycal is known for posting dance videos to her Facebook page. A regular exhibition directed towards exorcising bad vibes brought on by the isolation of the pandemic through... well, exercise. Her debut EP Dans l'eau is much less of a workout. On the record Sopycal leisurely intones her faith and conviction in herself and her own strength in a four-part polyptych of lowkey hip hop and affirmational codas. Opening track "Femmes" lets its verses slide around pliable waves of wet string arrangements and rippling synths lines that sound like they owe their origin to a happy little frog making a belly flop into the mix. The contrasting melodies of "Tabou" twirl at alternating speeds, relaxing for the chorus while accelerating during the verses where Sopycal bursts with enthusiasm to share her innermost confessions- delivering them with such abandon and excitement you may worry that she will tie her tongue into a knot before she finishes freeing all the words she has pent up inside her. "Mon féminisme" or " My Feminism" explores Sopycal's experience with, and relationship to, political projects aimed at woman's liberation, set to the lovely coo of her voice and handsomely crafted backing beats. Lastly, the house piano anchored closer "C'est l'été" translates summer vibes into vivacious escapes through dreamy verandas decorated with all manner of sonic symbols of trust and accommodation. Summer might be over, but that shouldn't stop you from indulging in the sweet nectar of Sopycal's voice.
Buy Dans l'eau here.
