Mother Soki blends suspense and hauntingly beautiful synths into an irresistible lure
There is something eerily angelic about “Mussel,” the latest release from Minneapolis-based musician Mother Soki, that feels like a siren calling you closer. At just 2 minutes and 47 seconds, the dreamy synth-pop track manages to create an atmosphere that feels both unsettling and seductive. The beats have a way of making you feel reflective and nostalgic, yet there is no desire to escape its grasp. There is a strange tension between the song’s beauty and its darker undertones, which makes the track especially captivating. What makes “Mussel” work so well is that the song leaves room for listeners to bring their own memories and feelings into it, which makes its short runtime feel less like a limitation.
Opening with the line, “Nothing’s ever gonna change / I open up my ways,” the song immediately establishes a sense of resignation. Her voice is breathy and emotional, flowing over the instrumental rather than overpowering it. As the song progresses, the beat grows more suspenseful, but that atmosphere contrasts with the dreaminess of her voice. It almost feels like the soundtrack for a misunderstood villain in a film, someone who appears wicked on the surface but carries something calm and alluring underneath. Rather than employing constant changes or an overwhelming amount of lyrics, the song lets its musicality flow. There is no need for excessive lyrics when the same few lines hold so much weight. This repetition creates a hypnotic quality, making the track feel intimate yet distant simultaneously.
That feeling carries into the song’s visualizer, directed by Will Shaw. Filmed along a cloudy beach, the video uses muted colors, flowing hair, candles and scenes of Mother Soki standing in the water fully clothed or tucked away inside a cave. It’s serene and gentle but there is a melancholy that hangs over the imagery. Her face is rarely visible, making her appear almost as a fading memory rather than someone present. Watching her move through the water and along the shore feels like trying to hold onto something or someone who is slowly becoming unfamiliar. It's as if you remember feelings that once consumed you from the past, but the details have completely disappeared. The setting also perfectly complements the song's mood, with the endless water and overcast sky creating a sense of isolation. There is beauty in the emptiness but also something ominous about how difficult it is to get a clear picture of who she is or what she is feeling.
“Mussel” is the latest glimpse into her upcoming EP titled Act 2, arriving Nov. 20. In an Instagram post about the song, she began explaining how it came together before realizing she was really just talking about how much she loves collaborators Jack Pfeffer and Bradley Hale, adding “I love you Jack and Brad.” While the track feels otherworldly, it appears that the story behind it reveals that genuine human connection helped bring it to life. If “Mussel” is any indication of what Act 2 has in store for fans, it’s clear that Mother Soki does not need to reveal everything to leave a lasting impression. Oftentimes, the best songs are the ones that leave you with a sensation you can’t put into words.