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Forget everything you know about Foushée before you listen to her sophomore album softCORE. Forget about her touring with James Blake, performing alongside Steve Lacy, and helping create 2022’s defining hit “Bad Habit.” Forget about her viral TikTok tracks, forget about her bangers like “my slime” and the Lil Yachty-assisted “clap for him,” and definitely forget about her delicate and dreamlike synthesis of neo-soul and R&B that has earned her collaborations with Vince Staples, Saba, and King Princess. Forget about all of it, because literally nothing can prepare you for the stylistic metamorphosis that lies at the heart of softCORE.

Foushée’s sophomore album isn’t another polished entry into R&B’s celebrated cultural canon, instead, softCORE is a tough-as-nails punk record informed by garage rock, grunge, and everything in between. Between the electronic vocal distortion that decorates the album and the rage that fuels it, Foushée finds herself at her most focused and experimental point yet. The result is an astonishingly refreshing and experimental record that proves that risks can pay off when done well, and Foushée loves taking risks.

softCORE’s influences are likely just as numerous as the styles that Foushée has already demonstrated mastery in. One moment you’ll catch a glimpse of Alice Glass futurism, the next you’ll be treated to a lyric or moment so candid that it will evoke comparisons to early punk pioneers like X-Ray Spex or The Slits. Tracks like “Scream My Name” are laced with rarified and minimalistic electropunk energy, while those like “Spend The Money,” featuring Lil Uzi Vert, feel much more ethereal and ambient. There are a handful of tracks in the middle of the record that feel like what fans might deem ‘traditional’ Foushée tracks, but this is merely the eye of the storm before the record descends back into chaos.

Flexing a wide variety of sounds, styles, and talents, softCORE is a strong testament to Foushées genuine artistic talent and curiosity. Hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to catch her live before the year ends, because Foushée is nothing if not an artist deserving of a spot on your radar. Whether you’re an OG Foushée fan or still uninitiated, softCORE is a thrilling introduction to one of music’s brightest young talents.

Listen to softCORE below: