Philine Sonny's "Invader" EP Is a Catharsis of Heartache and Hope
German-born alternative singer-songwriter and producer Philine Sonny shares her electric sophomore EP, Invader a catharsis on imposter syndrome, existential turmoil, and resilience.
“Drugs” opens the EP with a pristine vision of Sonny’s artistic perspective. It lives on both ends of a sonic and emotional perspective, existing in multiple dimensions at once. There’s the light, cyclical acoustic guitar persisting beneath explosive layers of mass vocals, drums, and swirling synths. Altogether, the sound remains organic, but both ends of Philine Sonny’s dynamic range are able to shine in this one song. “Drugs” also captures Sonny’s lyrical perspective. It’s slightly cynical as she sings, “I wanna take drugs, I wanna take luck / I wanna f*ck in the movies, I wanna fake love…” But overall, it remains romantic, yearning even while she self-deprecates.
This melancholic yet sweet sound continues into “In Denial,” a track that invites crisp electric guitar melodies and an 80s synth. Philine Sonny marries disappointment and hope, depicting the gut-wrenching heartache listeners will know all too well. “In Denial” is accompanied by a music video, merging sharp performance shots and glimpses of home video-type film. Again, we’re able to grasp the juxtaposition of isolation and nostalgia that live harmoniously in Sonny’s sound. Listeners get to see behind-the-scenes clips of Sonny on tour, but also moments of pure emotion.
“Stranger In Your Living Room” takes us to a vulnerable place, offering a stripped-down intermission from the shimmering synths and guitars of the Invader EP. The lyrical landscape comes into focus in this track, and Sonny stays in this introspective space with the bittersweet “Take a While.” The closing track, “Lovely,” paints with a warm piano, telling a story of longing, closure, and stifled frustration. In the last minute, the song explodes with a fuzzed-out, distorted burst, bringing Sonny’s lyrical passion to life.
Invader is a brave confessional told in indie rock notions, and with it Philine Sonny invites listeners into her world, deeming her truly, One to Watch.
