Soko (aka French singer/actress Stephanie Sokolinski) arrives in
the listening world with something rather special here. 'I Thought
I Was An Alien' is a collection of fifteen songs; ethereal, fragile
and strangely beguiling. The album has the quality of a sketchbook;
a record of memories, wistful observations and fleeting thoughts
wrapped up in simple melodies and arrangements which, nonetheless,
pack a substantial emotional clout. This has everything to do with
Ms Sokolinski's self-effacing honesty and capacity to move us with
her gentle voice (and what a truly lovely voice it is) and genial spirit.
There's not a bad egg in the box. The mood is largely downbeat and
reflective and very French in character. I profess myself converted!
Top tracks include the beautiful 'First Love Never Die' with its
subdued organ, limpid instrumental embellishments, subtle brass
and glowing harmonies; 'People Look Better In The Sun - Part I',
which ebbs and flows on a slow moving wave of slide guitar and
plodding, echoing percussion; the sublimely affecting 'We Might Be
Dead Tomorrow' with its blissful string arrangement and hushed
vocal performance and the tangled, broken musical box dream of
final track 'You Have A Power On Me'; a curiously magical invention.
Move over Charlotte Gainsbourg this is the real deal.
Highly Recommended.