Draft:Soft Power (album)
Soft Power is the upcoming sophomore studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter and producer Amelia Murray, known professionally as Fazerdaze. Scheduled for release on 15 November 2024 via Buttrfly Records in New Zealand and Australia and through Section1 and Partisan Records worldwide,[1] the album follows her 2017 debut, Morningside. Murray recorded and produced most of the album herself, with co-mixing by Simon Gooding and engineering assistance from Emily Wheatcroft-Snape on the drum parts.[2]
| Soft Power | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 15 November 2024 | |||
| Genre | Electronic, alt rock, pop | |||
| Label | Buttrfly Records, Section1, Partisan Records | |||
| Producer | Amelia Murray | |||
| Fazerdaze chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Soft Power | ||||
| ||||
Background and recording
[edit]Murray explained that her goal with Soft Power was to create a sound that felt both grand and distinctly feminine. She aimed to put a unique twist on traditional rock records, ensuring that women's perspectives are prominently highlighted and celebrated within the genre.[2]
Music and lyrics
[edit]"Bigger," the third track on the album, marks a significant departure from her earlier work. It blends synth-laden alt-rock with themes of personal growth, reflecting her journey into womanhood and the pressures of being a musician.[3] Murray experimented with an "anti-chorus" approach, where the synthesizers dominate and the vocal melody shifts to a spoken part.[3][4]
"Cherry Pie", the ninth track on the album, serves as a reflection of her decade-long journey of self-discovery. According to Murray, the song's origins date back to her first trip to Los Angeles, United States in the 2010s.[2]
Promotion and release
[edit]In September 2023, Fazerdaze released "Bigger," the first single from Soft Power, ahead of her 2023 tour in Australia, the UK, and Europe.[3] She later announced the upcoming album on 10 September 2024, and on the same day, the album's second single, "Cherry Pie," was released.[5] To promote the album, Fazerdaze will set off on a North American tour between November and December 2024, joining the Australian rock band Pond, who are touring soon to support their album Stung!.[1][6][7]
Critical reception
[edit]In his review of "Bigger", Conor Lochrie of Rolling Stone Australia notes the song combines "drizzled synths" with the grittier alt-rock elements found in her earlier release Break!.[3] Arun Kendall of Backseat Mafia acknowledges the song's connection to Fazerdaze’s earlier work, particularly its dream-pop roots from Morningside, while also recognizing the evolution in her sound. He describes "Bigger" as a step forward from her previous material, highlighting its modern, stronger edge that had been foreshadowed in Break!.[4]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Amelia Murray
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Soft Power" | |
| 2. | "So Easy" | |
| 3. | "Bigger" | |
| 4. | "Dancing Years" | |
| 5. | "In Blue" | |
| 6. | "A Thousand Years" | |
| 7. | "Purple_02" | |
| 8. | "Distorted Dreams" | |
| 9. | "Cherry Pie" | |
| 10. | "Sleeper" | |
| 11. | "City Glitter" | |
| Total length: | 0 | |
Personnel
[edit]Per Rolling Stone Australia and Fazerdaze's Bandcamp Soft Power page.[2][8]
- Amelia Murray – vocals, instrumentations, production, recording engineer
- Simon Gooding – mixing engineer
- Emily Wheatcroft-Snape – recording engineer
References
[edit]- ^ a b Pedder, Alan (2024-09-10). "Fazerdaze previews new album 'Soft Power' with lead single "Cherry Pie"". The Needle Drop. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ a b c d Lochrie, Conor (2024-09-09). "Fazerdaze Announces Long-Awaited Second Album 'Soft Power'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ a b c d Lochrie, Conor (2023-09-14). "Fazerdaze Explores the Pressures of Being a Musician on 'Bigger'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ a b Kendall, Arun (2023-09-13). "Track: Everything is 'Bigger' for Fazerdaze as she releases ethereal new single ahead of Australian and European tour". Backseat Mafia. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "Fazerdaze Announces Forthcoming Sophomore Album Soft Power, And New Single 'Cherry Pie' | NZ Music Commission". Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Pearls, Bill (28 May 2024). "Pond announce tour with Fazerdaze, share "So Lo"". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ Pearis, Bill (10 September 2024). "Fazerdaze announces first album in 7 years, touring with Pond: listen to "Cherry Pie"". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ Murray, Amelia. "Soft Power". Fazerdaze. Retrieved 2024-09-11.