An often motivating path towards optimism...
16 · 05 · 2025
What distinguishes optimism from hope? The former is akin to a performative prayer: a lottery ticket tucked away, fingers crossed in a permanent gesture, the political wash of thoughts and prayers that wishes for everything but achieves nothing. Rebecca Solnit contrasts this by defining hope as “a sense that the future is unpredictable… that we don’t actually know what will happen, but know we may be able to write it ourselves.” It is this understanding of positivity as action that forms the foundation of ‘Wield Your Hope Like A Weapon’, the debut album from the Exeter band Soot Sprite.
Importantly, this hope permits us to grieve the aspects of our lives that are fading away and those that may already be gone. Tracks like ‘Days After Days’ and ‘All My Friends Are Depressed’ candidly articulate these fractures, recounting “cycles of news of great floods and forests on fire” alongside occasional mixed metaphors about suits of armor and sinking ships. ‘Doomed’ serves as a suitably somber response to feel-good soundbites (“I can’t see what there is to smile about”); both offer necessary contrast to the lighter moments and acknowledge the importance of representing both.
These tracks also represent some of the more straightforward indie-pop elements on the album, which transitions to more robust arrangements in other places. The trio—singer-songwriter Elise Cook, bassist Sean Mariner, and drummer Sam Cother—have always integrated elements of shoegaze and the more subdued, Tigers Jaw-adjacent style of emo, which effectively convey these themes. They seamlessly incorporate more jangly sounds here as well. ‘Wield Your Hope…’ demonstrates immaculate pacing: by the time we reach ‘Surprise Guilty Party’, ‘Vicious Cycles’, and the heavier sections of the title track, it feels like a well-earned emotional resolution to the quieter despair of the earlier tracks.
Indeed, there’s a genuine narrative progression that elevates this album from a solid indie debut to a piece of art that truly encapsulates what it means to hope for better in 2025. “I’ve spent my whole life in transient spaces,” Cook sings towards the conclusion of ‘Cautious Optimist’, later expressing a desire for “one firm grasp so I could feel some solid ground.” And then comes the powerful declaration: “I’ll make my space,” a reminder that hope is not just something we passively hold, but something we can actively use to strike, pierce, or bludgeon if necessary. Something to wield.
8/10
Words: Matthew Neale
—
Join us on WeAre8, as we delve into global cultural events. Follow Clash Magazine HERE as we joyfully navigate through clubs, concerts, interviews, and photo shoots. Gain exclusive backstage insights and a glimpse into our world as the excitement unfolds.
Subscribe to the Clash mailing list for the latest music, fashion, and film news.
The band is set to launch their new album, ‘Phantom Island,’ on June 13th.
Ferman, who was the rhythm guitarist for the garage rock band Ora Violet, performed at BST Hyde Park, All Points East, and a sold-out concert at London’s Old Blue Last.
AJ Tracey has released his latest single, 'Paid In Full'. The rapper embraced his lyrical expressiveness for the reflective track 'Friday Prayer' before presenting
Writers at Atwood Magazine explore Mumford & Sons’ deeply moving homecoming album ‘RUSHMERE,’ a touching fifth installment that marks the band's return to their folk rock origins with its soothing acoustic sounds, uplifting harmonies that inspire a sense of spiritual renewal, and poignant lyrics that reflect the strength of love, memory, connection, and community.
Nation of Language has signed with Sub Pop. The Brooklyn-based band blends post-punk with delicate electronics, creating captivating songs that resonate deeply.
Six months following his heartfelt solo debut 'Happy', BTS' Jin comes back with 'Echo' - an album that not only captures his past experiences but also highlights his future direction.
What distinguishes optimism from hope? The former functions as a performative prayer: akin to carrying a lottery ticket in your back pocket, with fingers rigidly crossed in a