SOAK Shares Single, Signs to Rough Trade

UK songstress Bridie Monds-Watson is 18 years old, and she’s already garnering acclaim with her songs that employ diverse production values and emphasize her smoky vocals. Likely that’s what prompted stalwart indie imprint Rough Trade to sign the young artist. “B a noBody” may have a title like a pop song, but it moves through minimalist R&B crooning, crescendoing percussion, and playful guitar picking to accompany melodic movements. Lighter than air, the track balances between the worlds of pristine radio pop and rougher UK folk pop like Laura Marling. You can’t help but admire the anti-hero motif; in a culture where we’re reminded constantly that the only goal should be to rise to stardom, it’s nice to be reminded that being a “nobody” is just as beautiful.