The notion of “softness” traditionally implies gentleness, warmth, or even weakness – but not in the new song I Am Soft from Berlin songstress Cosey Mueller. To her, “soft” is not synonymous with fragility, but instead, a quiet strength. In choosing to embrace sensitivity over hardness, one must reconsider the power in vulnerability—where being soft doesn’t signal defeat, but rather an openness to life’s experiences – good or bad – without the armour of emotional rigidity or the status quo.
Mueller (DAS DAS, Glaas), a colourful figure in Berlin’s underground scene, blends electronic experimentation with a love for rock ‘n’ roll. Her debut album Interior Escapes (2021) and follow-up Irrational Habits (2023) showcase her talent for fusing repetitive synth melodies, explosive beats, and expressive vocals. Known for her playful use of language, Mueller creates music that feels both nostalgic and futuristic, suspended between time periods.
I Am Soft, with the minimalist staccato synth stylings and detached vocal delivery of early Mute bands like DAF and The Normal, and delves into a recurring meditation on vulnerability, contrasting it with the more rigid aspects of life. The lyrics repeatedly assert softness, positioning it against the hard edges of existence, be it in relationships, finances, or moments of intoxication. Despite the weight of external pressures, softness persists – maintaining a steady, almost defiant acceptance of life’s complexities, even in excess and at the edge of mortality.
The video plunges into the playful, hedonistic heart of Berlin’s underground, where latex-clad revelers, adorned with oversized ears, indulge in whipped cream straight from the can and paint one another with abandon. It conjures echoes of Soft Cell’s Sex Dwarf, celebrating the absurdity and joy within the darker corners of the night. Here, amidst the debauchery, even the wildest creatures embrace a softer, sillier side—proving that in the thick of chaos, softness has its place.
Watch the video for “I Am Soft” below:
Softcore comes out on October 3rd 2024, via Static Age Musik
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