Sacramento-based outfit Soft Science presents “Spinning,” a propulsive and emotionally charged track and the first offering from their fifth album “Sand,” scheduled for release on September 4th via Shelflife Records in North America and Spinout Nuggets in the UK. The accompanying video was created by directed and edited by Matthew Maxwell.
Watch the official video for “Spinning” via the youtube player below:
Purchase and Stream “Spinning” HERE
Building on the band’s signature blend of Dream Pop, Shoegaze and Indie Rock, “Spinning” captures the dizzying frustration of being caught in an emotional loop—repeating the same conversations, hoping to be heard, and wondering if anything is finally getting through. Pairing shimmery atmosphere with a sense of restless momentum, the band manage to turn relationship fatigue into something hypnotic, melodic, and deeply relatable.
Comprised of longtime collaborators Katie Haley (lead vocals, percussion), Matt Levine (lead guitar), Ross Levine (guitar, backing vocals), Tony Cale (drums), Becky Cale (bass, backing vocals), and Hans Munz (atmospheric electronics), Soft Science crafts immersive dream pop defined by layered guitars, ethereal vocals, synth textures, and Post-Punk-influenced propulsion.
“Spinning is one of my favorite songs on ‘Sand‘ — It has such strong energy. It’s the kind of song that is catchy and you can’t help moving to it, but it also has a lot of tension, which fits so well with the lyrics. Matt’s guitar work really adds to the mood and tension felt in the song,” says Katie Haley.
“We had the melody and the idea of ‘Round and Round’ and then Ross came up with the chorus lyrics ‘You got me spinning round, am I getting through now.’ I loved it and felt inspired immediately to come up with the verses. Generally, I find ruminating on things, talking about the same issue over and over with no resolution, and prolonged indecision really irritating and I was dealing with a couple situations with these themes at that time. Once Ross set the chorus the rest of the words poured out.”
With ethereal vocals, twin 12-string guitars, bass, drums, and synthesizers, the band layers luminous melodies, celestial harmonies, and propulsive rhythms into lush, transportive songs. As showcased via KEXP sessions and noted by critics, Soft Science pairs a bright melodic sensibility with a melancholy undertow, creating music that is both immediate and deeply Atmospheric.
“I’ve always loved using straightforward driving guitars with a looping hook on the bass to create a constant sense of propulsion. On ‘Spinning’, I was looking for that energy. Katie’s soft, flowing melody, aginst that really brought it together. The last thing we recorded was the chorus harmony she came up with – it really kicked it up a level. The missing link it needed, lifting the whole track,” says Ross Levine.
Highlighting the track’s Experimental approach, Matt Levine shares, “Spinning is really special. We were talking about doing backwards guitar leads, which, in a way, seemed easy, but how do you make it feel intentional? So I started high and descended with the general idea that I wanted the lead to do the opposite. To my amazement, the result of the first take was amazing. The next challenge was how to play a backwards lead forward live, something I’ve never had to work through before.”
Across the ten tracks on “Sand,” Soft Science expand their sound while retaining the melodic clarity and emotional resonance that define their work. The album explores impermanence—how love, memory, and identity shift under pressure—and what it means to keep choosing connection in a world with no guarantees. Across ten tracks, the band balances shimmering atmosphere with urgency and movement, shaping one of their most immersive and emotionally direct releases to date.
Soft Science’s latest album was “Lines” (2023), preceded by “Maps“ (2018), “Detour” (2013), and “Highs and Lows” (2011), along with singles including a split 7” with The Luxembourg Signal (2015), and The House of Love cover “I Don’t Know Why I Love You” and their rendition of Northern Picture Library’s ‘Paris’ (both 2018).
Having earned critical acclaim over the years, Soft Science has done live sessions at KEXP, WFMU, and Part-Time Punks in Los Angeles, and has performed at New York Popfest, Paris Popfest, The Big Takeover’s 35th Anniversary show, Schellraiser Festival, Tremolo Fest and Dreamgaze PDX, apart from select US and European shows.
As of June 23, “Spinning” available digitally everywhere. The “Sand” album will be released via Shelflife Records (US) and Spinout Nuggets (UK) — on both CD and vinyl — on September 4th.
Lineup:
Katie Haley / Vocals, Percussion
Ross Levine / Backing Vocals, Synths, Additional Guitars
Matt Levine / Guitar
Becky Cale / Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tony Cale / Drums
Hans Munz / Additional Electronics