Soul Strutter: Sophia Cruz [2021] - On My Mind [SOCLOSE] (Full EP)

Sophia Cruz appears to be a new artist who, apart from this six track EP "On My Mind" (released today 13 Sep 2021), has only one single "Just For You" to her name, which is included on the EP.

There are at least a couple of other female artists with the same name who I believe are not the same artist, as this one is from Chicago who states that this is her debut EP, although she has some tracks on her YouTube channel from ten years ago.

This EP will no doubt split opinion with some thinking it's 'too white' sounding but I present it for your listening pleasure (or otherwise). Personally I think a lot of new neo soul material sounds a bit 'androgynous', meaning that you can't really tell whether a singer is black, or white or any other race, creed or colour for that matter as the vocals are quite 'samey' (i.e. wispy) .. and actually does it really matter? ... remember the Gordy label adage ... "it's what's in the grooves that count"!

I, like the next 'real soul' music lover, 'prefer' my music to be authentic, black and American but that doesn't, and shouldn't, preclude appreciating all flavours of 'soul' music. A case in point is the current selection of the week Down To Earth which is not black, not American and some may say not soul, but I like it and hopefully others will too!

Anyway, getting off the soapbox, the standout tracks, for me, are "Next Life" and "Another You". Whilst hunting for her facebook link I noticed that her single "Just For You" was played by Franklin Sinclair on The New Music Hour on 10 April 2020.

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