XOXO (2021)

Bright and deliberately intoxicating, this track leans into a brand of buoyant pop that feels almost retro in its straightforwardness — no ironic distance, no conceptual weight, just the clean rush of wanting someone and wanting them to know it. The production is warm and layered, built on punchy synths and a four-on-the-floor energy that never quite breaks into full club territory but keeps the body moving regardless. There's a playful elasticity to the arrangement, small melodic flourishes that bounce between the left and right channel, giving the mix an almost tactile quality. Somi's vocal here is at its most relaxed and conversational — flirtatious rather than performative, as though she's speaking directly to one person rather than projecting outward. The lyrical territory is uncomplicated in the best way: desire without ambiguity, affection expressed with confidence and a little teasing. This was the title track from her first proper EP and carried the weight of introducing a fuller artistic identity — less debut novelty, more fully formed pop persona. As a standalone listening experience it works best in daylight, during that particular window in the late afternoon when everything feels slightly golden and slightly electric. It rewards attention but doesn't demand it, sitting comfortably in the background of a good afternoon while still having enough presence to pull you in if you choose to listen closely.