Sometimes Julie releases new EP ‘Transition’

In a city as musically diverse as San Diego, it takes something special to make an impression and Sometimes Julie has been doing exactly that for over a decade. The band, led by the creative partnership of singer-songwriter Monica Sorenson and multi-instrumentalist Rick Walker, has earned a reputation for crafting emotionally compelling, genre-fluid records that stitch together threads of rock, pop and Americana into a stunning musical fabric.

Forged from a collaboration between two artists with wildly different musical instincts, over the years Sometimes Julie has flourished into one of Southern California’s most exciting indie acts. Back in 2014, Sometimes Julie burst onto the scene with their debut Head First, an award-winning record that announced Monica and Rick as a must watch songwriting duo.

From there, they kept up an impressive pace, releasing a series of albums such as 2016’s Bright Side of the Line, Breaking in 2018, Where Are You? in 2020, which earned a San Diego Music Award nomination and Seven Wishes which landed in 2023. Each release unveiled another side of their partnership; Monica, the emotive storyteller with a commanding vocal presence, and Rick, the talented musician who frames her free-flowing creativity with structure and skill.

Now, Sometimes Julie opens up an exciting new chapter with Transition, a six-track EP that lives up to its name in both sound and spirit. While their earlier work leaned heavily on classic and alternative rock influences, Transition takes a more contemplative path to deliver a record based in self-reflection. The songs move away from the energy of their past albums toward something subtler, intimate and powerfully honest. But even as they explore this softer side of their shared sonic vision, the duo’s trademark blend of soulful rock, pop, and country still ripples through the heart of the music.

Opened with “Carry Her,” the soft twang of guitar notes are met with delicate piano tones as Monica’s stunning vocals glide in to craft an absorbing soundscape that’s at once atmospheric and intimate. With the rustle of percussion and warm texture of organ, the song gently flows with tender melodic leads and heartfelt lyricism to cast a dreamy slice of elegant pop-focused retro rock music.

Title track “Transition” arrived with the runs of graceful piano notes and strum of acoustic guitar as Monica’s alluring voice floats above the intricate arrangement. Drifting with dazzling melodic lines and exquisite instrumental flourishes, it’s a charming outing that’s truly impossible not to love. “Before” presents the duo’s flair for picture painting songwriting, brought to life in an engrossing arrangement that builds from soft piano-led aesthetic to a subtly anthemic blend of bright instrumentation and shimmering cymbals capped by delightful melodic leads.

With “I Dreamed of You,” the pair deliver a cinematic swirl of bouncy piano lines and sweeping string textures as Monica’s expressive voice dances above to spin lively melodies throughout. The hushed piano notes and quietly emphatic strings on “Shooting Star” form a beautiful backdrop for Monica to deliver an emotive vocal performance above, serving up a truly moving listening experience from start to finish.

Closing the EP with “Finally the Rain,” Sometimes Julie lays down a delightful finale brimming with entrancing melodies and surging energy that builds to an epic conclusion of stacked vocals and energising instrumentation. Commenting on the release, Monica shares, “I’m beyond thrilled to be able to share Transition with everyone. Over the past two years, I’ve put my heart and soul into the writing, performance, and production of these songs, and I am so fortunate to have had the very talented Rick Walker and my Sometimes Julie family with me every step of the way to bring it all to fruition. It has truly been a labor of love!”

Listen to Transition below