Back in September we wrote about Shalom, with single ‘DTAP’ (“an unabashedly upbeat vision of love”) laying the foundations for a full-length record in 2023. A few months down the line the Brooklyn-based artist is preparing to release Sublimation on Saddle Creek, a collection of songs which builds upon the brightness of the first singles to offer a three-dimensional view of coming of age. Combining stories of partying and trauma, love and breakups and feelings of disaffection, the album is a bracingly honest exploration of a young life.
Lead single ‘Happenstance’ captured these conflicting themes in a slice of bold indie pop, focusing on paradoxical emotions of craving attention and validation while also feeling an urge to become invisible, to disappear. Alex Free’s video portrayed such feelings with a suitably vivid and abstract style, evoking both the alienation of growing up and the embrace of the whatever person you end up becoming.
New single ‘Soccer Mommy’ continues this nuanced picture. A big brash indie rock song, the single again delivers an emotional punch in a driving sugar-rush of cathartic energy, acknowledging the difficult aspects of finding yourself while leaning into the empowering force of momentum. “This song is about a time in my life that I used to be very upset and embarrassed about, but now I’m like, wow, I feel so much better after writing this song,” Shalom explains. “It’s called ‘Soccer Mommy’ because I got my driver’s license in late 2019 and spent my first year on the road listening to Color Theory and thinking about my 20-year-old self who didn’t deserve the things that happened to her. I love Soccer Mommy. I’m terrified of driving, but I always felt brave listening to ‘Circle The Drain’ on 287 south.”
and I’m not sure when it changed but I’m bored of being ashamed
I danced myself clean and I own a denim jacket now
my plants are still alive but the jade I got around you has long died
some things just suck
they aren’t always lessons either
Watch the video directed by Daniella Hoerle below featuring New Brunswick band Valentine’s Day:
Sublimation is out on the 10th March via Saddle Creek and you can pre-order it now.
Photo by Aaron DuRall