Imagine a quiet evening where the soft glow of moonlight bathes a well-worn house. Inside, the air is thick with memories, each corner and creak telling tales of love, loss, and lingering hope. This is the world that The Bed I Made, released Aug. 23, by The Softies invites you into— an album that feels like a deeply personal diary filled with scribbled hearts and scratched-out phrases.
This marks The Softies’ first release since Holiday in Rhode Island in 2000, and much remains the same. The duo of Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia continues to cultivate their reputation for minimalistic and cozy production, utilizing soft guitar progressions and lush vocal harmonies. Their simple soundscape reveals the complexities of young love, capturing both its sweetness and its heartache.
Overview
The journey begins with “Go Back In Time,” a song that feels like a wistful gaze at a distant horizon. This track’s gentle, reflective tone sets the scene for a trip down memory lane, as Melberg and Sbragia sing of yearning to rewrite the past and undo heartaches: “All of the time / That we wasted apart / Wasn’t good for my heart / Or anything.”
“I Said What I Said” plunges into the raw aftermath of a breakup. The lyrics are a candid confession, confronting the reality of what has ended—it’s akin to standing in the aftermath of a storm, sifting through emotional debris. The Softies express the regret of having prematurely ended a relationship while ultimately searching for something more fulfilling.
In “To You From Me,” The Softies transition from pure longing to a more optimistic approach. They reflect on how every day might bring a new chance for connection: “Any day could be the one / A little wind, a burning sun / Turning a page / Something I wrote today.”
“Tiny Flame” reverses this optimism, exploring relationships that once sparkled with potential but eventually flickered out. The song captures letting go of a relationship with a beauty as fleeting as the bloom of a flower.
“When I Started Loving You” bursts forth with color against the somber hues of the album, reminding listeners that happiness often coexists with underlying sadness. The Softies sing of the joy of newfound love: “I used to have a beehive in my mind / Now I spend my evenings feeling fine / My life started when I started loving you.”
A few reflective tracks later, the album’s heart lies in the titular song, “The Bed I Made.” In this track, the house metaphor transforms into a sanctuary where past loves and memories are cherished: “I’ve cried here / And twice love died here / But everything I need is all inside here / When you stay near.” The Softies acknowledge their flaws and mistakes over the years while embracing the understanding that they are exactly where they are meant to be.
As the album draws to a close with “23rd Birthday,” you’re left reminiscing about bittersweet echoes from past relationships. The track paints a picture of shared moments and lingering pain as if flipping through an old photo album filled with both joy and sorrow.
“Don’t Fall Apart” wraps up the album with poignant advice: “Don’t fall apart / Look after this heart.” Its dreamy and sparkly sound stands out with a more intricate electric guitar arrangement than the other tracks, making it the most complex piece on the record. The song perfectly embodies the album’s theme: not just reflecting on the past, but finding strength to stand amid the ruins and nurture what endures.
Rating: 8/10
While the album doesn’t break new ground sonically, it showcases The Softies’ growth as songwriters. The Softies demonstrate their ability to convey complex emotions through deceptively simple compositions. Their minimalist approach allows each word and note to resonate, creating an album that feels both timeless and deeply personal.
