Review

By Liam Hughes | 08/04/2026

SOPHIE’s debut studio album, OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES, is a bold and transformative exploration of identity, sound, and emotion. Released in 2018, it blends experimental pop with industrial, ambient, and avant-garde elements, challenging conventional structures and expectations. Tracks like "It's Okay to Cry" and "Immaterial" showcase SOPHIE's range, swinging from vulnerable introspection to euphoric defiance. The production is crisp, metallic, and alien yet deeply human, reflecting themes of transformation, queerness, and self-expression. It's a landmark album that not only pushes the boundaries of pop music but also cements SOPHIE as a visionary artist whose influence will echo for years to come.

Info

**OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES** is the debut studio album by Scottish producer and musician SOPHIE. It was released on June 15, 2018, in the United Kingdom and the United States through the label Transgressive Records in partnership with Future Classic and MSMSMSM. The album showcases SOPHIE's signature experimental pop sound, blending elements of electronic, avant-pop, and industrial music. It's widely praised for its bold production, emotional depth, and exploration of identity and transformation. OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES was produced by SOPHIE herself and recorded across various locations, including Los Angeles and London. The album reached number 64 on the UK Albums Chart and peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album in 2019 and is considered a landmark release in the realm of experimental pop music.

Tracklisting

1. It's Okay To Cry
2. Ponyboy
3. Faceshopping
4. Is It Cold In The Water?
5. Infatuation
6. Not Okay
7. Pretending
8. Immaterial
9. Whole New World/Pretend World