Music: The Sophs – “GOLDSTAR”: A Genre-Fluid Alt-Rock Statement from LA’s New Wave

The Sophs are a Los Angeles-based six-piece alt-rock collective whose sound splices post-punk bite with pop-punk immediacy, funk grooves, blues swagger, and unpredictable dynamics — a mix that keeps listeners off their guard in all the best ways. The band members Ethan Ramon (vocals), Sam Yuh (keys), Austin Parker Jones (electric guitar), Seth Smades (acoustic guitar), Devin Russ (drums), and Cole Bobbitt (bass) make music that feels open to possibility, bursting with creative chemistry and high-voltage energy.

They came to attention by cold-emailing demos directly to Rough Trade Records, which quickly signed them and released a string of singles (I’M YOUR FIEND, SWEAT, DEATH IN THE FAMILY) that showcased their versatility — one moment pop-punk-leaning, the next rattling with funk or flowering into unexpectedly melodic hooks.

Their debut full-length album, GOLDSTAR (out March 13, 2026 via Rough Trade), captures this unconfined aesthetic with a bold, almost pop-art approach to songcraft: familiar rock shapes refracted through unpredictable twists, sudden eruptions, and razor-edged hooks that defy one-note categorization.

“GOLDSTAR” — the title track and lead single — arrives as both an introduction and a thesis statement. The band describe the song as exploring the idea of moral validation and what it means to be “good” in a world obsessed with external approval. Vocalist Ethan Ramon frames it as a kind of ironic plea: the “worst person you know yelling at God to give them a sign they’re good.” 

Musically, “GOLDSTAR” unfolds with sprightly guitars and rhythmic elasticity, shifting between melodic pop-punk hooks and textural detours that hint at the band’s broader genre reach. Its lyrics — honest, a bit brash, and rich with self-reflection — mirror the restless energy of the band itself: curious, defiant, and unafraid to ask uncomfortable questions.

This is rock with both momentum and imagination — a track that feels like a bold declaration from a band just beginning to unfurl its potential. The Sophs aren’t interested in fitting into a single box; with “GOLDSTAR”, they’re building something bigger: a creative realm where rock, pop, punk, and surprise can coalesce into something fresh and electrifying.

Band Page: https://www.instagram.com/sophsesque/