SOFT SKIES INC – “SOONER OR LATER”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE MUSIC PREMIERE
In this modern world of chaos and tension, we get lost sometimes. But music helps us find a way back to our zone of comfort.
For Soft Skies Inc, the Philadelphia-based identical-twin duo and longtime musical confidants Ryan and Martin Rex, their shared sonic compass draws a straight line from the classic alternative of their youth to the modern alternative and dream-pop of today. Both sides of this sonic bliss are on kaleidoscopic display in their vibrant new single “Sooner Or Later,” premiering today on The Spill Magazine ahead of its release on Tuesday, September 17.
The release date throws it back to the New Music Tuesday scene we all grew up with, when we’d race to our favorite record stores and acquire and absorb everything that felt exciting. It’s also the Brothers Rex’ birthday, making this track, with its aural Easter eggs for Joy Division and The Cure and tonal DNA – which traces my bloody valentine, early R.E.M., New Order, The Smiths, and Spiritualized – all the more mindful of those wistful and joyful memories.
“‘Sooner Or Later’ is filled with bittersweet nostalgia for a time in one’s life that was innocent and free,” says Ryan. “I think no matter your circumstances, most can point to a period, usually younger years, where the world feels open, limitless, profound – before ‘real life gets in’. The song both lyrically and sonically reminisces about this time and laments the fact that we all get mangled – even under the best of conditions – and that sooner or later this is inevitable. And that somewhere deep down, we all know it’s inevitable.”
That said, “Sooner or Later” is ultimately a song of hope, riding those tender waves of nostalgia, understanding that a loss of innocence comes with age but that we emerge from the other side with newfound perspective and awareness.
It also serves as Soft Skies Inc’s first new music in six years, following a string of 2018 singles that continued the twins’ musical kinship that began in Boston’s fertile ’90s-era music scene through space rock luminaries Lockgroove. A handful of separate projects followed for both Ryan and Martin, including the latter in Boston desert rock slingers Ghost Box Orchestra, but Soft Skies allows the pair to both look back and power forward.
“While we started working under the moniker of Soft Skies Inc to sort of take the shackles off – so to speak – from our past projects like Lockgroove and ‘write whatever we want’,” Ryan adds, “this song may be the closest of all the new songs to the ‘SSI sound.’ I think it also has a great vibe and catchiness and a good sunny ‘autumn’ feel so perfect for a September release.
“Sooner or Later” was recorded with Chris McLaughlin at Deep Space Studios and mastered by Rich Morales at Super Fine Audio. A true collaboration, Ryan Rex provides main vocals, guitars, bass, and keyboards, while Martin Rex supplies drums, percussion, backup vocals, and keyboards. The track was produced by the brothers alongside McLaughlin.
And while “Sooner or Later” canvasses a heavy softness, gliding with ease through corridors of melodic noise-pop, it emerges as just one shade in the Soft Skies Inc musical spectrum.
“While we don’t want to limit ourselves and our fans will hear a range of styles from Soft Skies Inc,” Ryan adds, “I think this is the type of song we want to be writing and the type of song we’ve always wanted to write, even given our more noisy and experimental past. Nothing better than a song that moves, a great driving song with hooks, layers, surprises – melancholy but hopeful at the same time. Hopefully we achieved that.”
ARTIST QUOTE
“‘Sooner Or Later’ is filled with bittersweet nostalgia for a time in one’s life that was innocent and free. I think no matter your circumstances, most can point to a period, usually younger years, where the world feels open, limitless, profound – before ‘real life gets in’. The song both lyrically and sonically reminisces about this time and laments the fact that we all get mangled – even under the best of conditions – and that sooner or later this is inevitable. And that somewhere deep down, we all know it’s inevitable.” ~Ryan Rex
Soft Skies Inc
[Single]
(Independent)
Release Date: September 17, 2024
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