Instrumental Rock from Soft as Hell

Hailing from Brighton’s diverse musical landscape, Soft as Hell is an exciting new project built on sonic immersion. Spearheaded by a talented composer and multi-instrumentalist, it exists in that space where sound becomes environment, where songs aren’t just listened to but drifted through. Instrumental in its heart, the project presents cinematic storytelling without the need for words, constructing detailed musical worlds that progress patiently.

The project first surfaced toward the end of last year with the debut single “Forgotten October,” a track that introduced Soft as Hell’s unique creative vision. It unveiled a sound forged in atmosphere, texture and slow-burning movement, designed to pull listeners in, encouraging a sort of deep listening that feels increasingly rare in today’s world. Now, with the release of the sophomore single titled “I’d Rather Fly,” that vision comes into sharper focus.

The track builds on the framework laid by its predecessor, expanding into something more confident and fully realised, showcasing an understanding of space and movement that allows the music to feel at once expansive and intricate at the same time. The artist behind Soft as Hell takes on almost every role, writing the music and performing all instruments apart from drums; that final element is brought to life by Jamie-Ray Scarratt of Raygun Studios in Brighton, whose performance punctures the layered instrumentation to set a steady forward motion.

“I’d Rather Fly” plays out with a cinematic logic, taking cues from artists like Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream, alongside the sweeping imagery of Western films, the track feels like it belongs to a story that hasn’t been told yet. It’s not tied to a specific scene, but instead suggests fragments of one, allowing listeners to project their own meaning onto the music. That openness is part of its appeal, creating a listening experience that feels personal without being overly prescriptive.

Split between Raygun Studios and the artist’s home setup, the track went through multiple iterations before reaching its final form, resulting in an attention to detail that subtly shines throughout the track. Brought in by the hazy swell of drifting organ texture, the strike of drums brings in a pattering rhythm as pulsing bass lines injects a smooth groove and twanging guitars cast a smokey, psychedelic aesthetic.

Flowing with loose melodic flickers, punchy drums and misty atmosphere, the track serves up a transportive musical voyage that gently glides through a twisting arrangement that develops with bright lead guitar work. Reaching a lofty crescendo, the instruments drop out before ushering in a slick switch up which reframes the track in a new light. It’s a superb display of Soft as Hell’s creative flair and performance panache, offering a stellar instrumental rock jam that’s sure to win over listeners around the world.

Listen to I’d Rather Fly below

More from Music

---

Editor Picks

---