Sophie (Chanko) Dare

FOR FANS OF: Owl City, Billie Eilish, Dodie, Kina Grannis

LISTEN HERE:

https://open.spotify.com/album/5fiWptoi1Xs9XA9pew7g0P?si=rCWodDEPRaeXTrY0q5zF3w

Sunny, lo-fi beats meet the vocal stylings of Dodie or Billie Eilish- that’s the best way to describe Mozi as an artist. Morgan Zinn is a Michigan vocalist and pianist who brings a soft sweetness and a vulnerability to her genre of chill pop.

This 2018 release opens with *Honey + Tea*, a bright tune about the excitement of meeting a new lover over a cup of tea. It's soft and light, and as sweet as honey. Dreamy background vocals and a little guitar riff buried among the lo-fi sounds make it a wonderful listen. It's got coffee shop vibes for sure.

*Human* leans farther into more layers of sounds, with pronounced synth leads and countless different drum sounds for the beat. The lyrics tell a story of honesty and admitting vulnerability when life seems to crash and burn all around.

Like when the clouds depart, there’s a gaping hole inside me, I’ve a fragile heart

There’s no way I’d tell you it’s been ripped apart, wide open ripped apart

And though the earth may shake, the ground beneath me begins to quake, there’s no way to tell you that I'd never break

I am gonna break, and I’m only human

Don't Let Me Go takes a sharp left turn into new territory, with a darker synth lead, minor key, and tango-esque groove. This track is the most obviously in the vein of Billie Eilish, especially in the haunting melodies and half-time chorsuses. This song brings the energy up high compared to the rest of the EP, and it's definitely a standout for me.

Our Family's Fine paints a picture of a seemingly idyllic family at home. It contrasts the daily mail delivery, sitting around the table, and the cabinet of heirlooms with the not-so-idyllic, jarring realities of real life outside the house- the stock market crashing and rush hour traffic. This track does a great job of creating a mood of something being “off” through tiny musical details- small amounts of dissonance, long pauses, and an honest delivery of the lyrics.

We Made It is a morning song if I ever heard one, with vivid imagery of sun chasing away the shadows of night. Mozi sings a simple mantra of “we made it another day” that conveys so much hope and joy through just a few words. This song is so peaceful and uplifting, yet powerful in its sweetness.

Move brings back a carefree vibe that I could easily see fitting in on any alternative pop playlist.

Send my regards, my condolences
To who I once was, I send you my best wishes
I'm moving, I'm moving

Give all of my love, no apologies Honey, I’m done
And I don’t need your thoughts to carry me
I’m moving, I’m moving

This track easily switches between talking about “moving” in the fun sense of dancing around in the living room, and “moving” on from the previous mindset of worrying about what others think.

Mozi closes the record with Ah, Sovereign God, a song that sounds just like it could be a hymn from hundreds of years ago. With profound lyrics and a simple verse-chorus-verse structure and melody, this track showcases a beautiful display of faith and emotion.

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