Los Angeles outfit Softer just dropped what might be the ultimate summer anthem, but hang on – don’t let that title trick you. “Beachball” sounds like a shimmering, surf-kissed dream-pop gem, sure, but it’s a huge punch under all that jaunty swagger.
Leading the charge is Belinda Cai, and she’s the real deal. She’s not just singing – she wrote the lyrics, delivered those vocals, and even shot the album art photo herself. But Softer is a full-band beast. Shiraz Dhume co-writes these catchy melodies that’ll live rent-free in your head for days. Mikey Macapagal throws down these instantly catchy, bouncy guitar riffs that ride the mix like they’re catching waves. Josh Solomon’s holding it all together on bass with some serious groove – his lines give the whole thing this warm, driving pulse. And Eric Fabbro on drums – This guy’s not just keeping time. His beats shift from breezy shuffles to these moments of controlled power that give the track its real backbone. Big props to Eric Hernandez for mixing and mastering this thing – he kept it crystal clear without losing that warm, slightly rough-around-the-edges charm. Joon wrapped it all up with album art that totally captures the vibe.
So, what’s really going on under all that shine? “Beachball” is killer at playing opposites. Sound-wise, it’s pure California dreaming – bright, perfect for cruising down the PCH with the windows down. But the lyrics? Man, they hit different. Cai’s not holding back about the burnout from a toxic relationship (“Please say no more / I won’t believe you again”), that desperate need to breathe (“Need company / That isn’t yours”), and how starting fresh can feel like you’re getting tossed around and deflated (“Full of hot air / Entice me / Throw me around / Deflate me / Buried in sand and palm trees”). That whole beachball metaphor – feeling deflated even when you’re trying your hardest – totally nails it. It’s about that moment when you let the ocean wash everything away (“Breathe in the sea and / Let it clear your head / Clean everything”), that cleanse you didn’t ask for but desperately needed.
“Beachball” is the perfect slightly-sad-but-still-standing anthem for anyone who’s been knocked down and is heading back to the water. Softer proves that sometimes, the sweetest sounds carry the hardest truths. Essential listening.