"Abigail" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Soccer Mommy. The song was released on October 22, 2024 through Loma Vista Recordings, as the fourth single from her fourth studio album Evergreen. The song is a serenade to Abigail, a non-playable villager in the farming video game Stardew Valley. Soccer Mommy's Sophia Allison wrote the song as a writing exercise during a relatively fallow period. Produced by Ben H. Allen III and recorded at his Atlanta studio, the song's dreamy sonics dovetail with its lyrical embrace of escapism.
| "Abigail" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Soccer Mommy | ||||
| from the album Evergreen | ||||
| Released | October 22, 2024 | |||
| Studio | Maze Studios (Atlanta, Georgia) | |||
| Genre | Indie rock[1] | |||
| Length | 3:08 | |||
| Label | Loma Vista | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Sophia Regina Allison | |||
| Producer(s) | Ben H. Allen III | |||
| Soccer Mommy singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editThe song is a serenade to Abigail, a purple-haired[2] non-playable villager in the video game Stardew Valley. The song directly references several aspects of the character's hobbies—hanging out in a graveyard, her propensity for chocolate cake[3]—as Ellison begs for her hand in marriage. Ellison had been working on her fourth album, Evergreen, and had hit a wall and began to struggle with writer's block. Though not a avid gamer, Ellison was fond of Stardew Valley in particular, having even streamed it online in the past.[4] Abigail was her favorite character in the game to marry, and she began writing the song as an ode to her as part of a writing exercise.[5] Upon conclusion, she enjoyed the love song so much that she decided to include it on Evergreen, as she felt it fit sonically and thematically with its style.[6] The uptempo[7] song opens with an arresting snare roll and proceeds across dreamy electric keys.[8]
The song's music video depicts Soccer Mommy in the game itself, marrying Abigail in the game's retro pixel style.[3][9] The clip was directed by Leonel Montero.
Reception
editDanielle Chelosky at Stereogum called it a "sweeping ballad",[10] Hanif Abdurraqib, writing in the New Yorker, complimented its carefree tone in comparison to the visceral melancholy that runs through Evergreen.[8] Matthew Pywell in DIY praised its fantastical and imaginative feel, especially on Evergreen: "It feels completely standalone, as suddenly we’re catapulted into a technicolour world which wouldn’t have looked out of place on 2020’s Color Theory."[11] Eric Bennett of Paste viewed it as "an immediate highlight. [...] it’s both a soaring indie-rock jam and a charming nod to something that brings Allison comfort amid life's harder moments."[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Soccer Mommy, 'Evergreen' Album Review". Paste Magazine. October 24, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (October 23, 2024). "Soccer Mommy Is Driven By Loss on 'Evergreen'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Richardson, Kalia (October 22, 2024). "Soccer Mommy Marries Purple-Haired Lover in 'Abigail' Music Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Carpenter, Nicole (October 22, 2024). "Soccer Mommy wrote a love song for Stardew Valley's Abigail for her new album". Polygon. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Timmons, John (October 25, 2024). "WFPK Song Of The Day: Soccer Mommy "Abigail"". Louisville Public Media. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Mia (October 25, 2024). "The Story Behind Every Song On Soccer Mommy's New Album 'Evergreen'". Stereogum. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Soccer Mommy". AllMusic. October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Abdurraqib, Hanif (October 27, 2024). "Soccer Mommy's Visceral Chronicle of Loss". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Pip, Andy Von (October 29, 2024). "Soccer Mommy Shares Stardew Valley-Inspired Track New Single "Abigail"". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Chelosky, Danielle (October 22, 2024). "Soccer Mommy Share New Song "Abigail": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Pywell, Matthew (October 23, 2024). "Soccer Mommy: Lessons In Acceptance". DIY. Retrieved October 29, 2024.