Sophs, The: Goldstar (CD)

Los Angeles six-piece The Sophs have ridden a wave of notoriety ever since signing to Rough Trade Records on the strength of their demos - which they cold-emailed to labelheads Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee before they ever even played a show.

Following last year’s releases of stand-alone singles ‘I’m Your Fiend’, ‘Sweat’ and ‘Death In The Family’ and worldwide touring, the band are ready to unleash their debut album Goldstar, out March 13, 2026.

The band’s brutal honesty, flamingly intrusive thoughts, and broad genre-spreading caught the attention of Rough Trade founders Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee immediately. When Ramon sent a demo reel out to his favorite indies, he wasn’t expecting any replies. But Travis and Lee were in his inbox the next day, asking if he’d hop on a call.

Rough Trade heard the sort of creativity and variety — and “don’t expect me to act pretty” sentiment — that could get The Sophs — including Ramon, Sam Yuh (keyboards), Austin Parker Jones (electric guitar), Seth Smades (acoustic guitar), Devin Russ (drums), and Cole Bobbitt (bass) — a slot on nearly any stage.

At any moment, The Sophs are entering pop-punk; blazing through funk; talk-singing to the audience. Their enthusiasm for every iteration is evident, and Ramon’s rich, full voice deftly nestles into endless categories, utterly chameleonic.

1. The Dog Dies In The End
2. Goldstar
3. Blitzed Again
4. Sweat
5. House
6. Sweetiepie
7. Death In The Family
8. A Sympathetic Person
9. They Told Me Jump, I Said How High
10. I’m Your Fiend